The Caitlin M. Hammaren Memorial Foundation and Arts Institute Fund was created following Caitlin’s tragic and senseless death on the morning of April 16, 2007 at Virginia Tech. At 19 years old, Caitlin was just completing her sophomore year and was pursuing a double major in International Studies/Politics and Leadership, with a minor in French. Her parents, Christian and Marian, along with family and friends, established this Foundation as a way to keep Caitlin’s memory alive and vibrant.
The Caitlin M. Hammaren Memorial Foundation and Arts Institute Fund assists young students through a scholarship fund. Each year a graduate from Caitlin’s alma mater, Minisink Valley High School, receives a scholarship from the Foundation to help continue his/her pursuit of higher education. A $250 award is also made to an Orange-Ulster BOCES Culinary Arts student. Grants are also awarded from the Foundation that reflects Caitlin’s love for others and her passion for the arts.
Keelin Burns, an Orange-Ulster BOCES C-TEC graduate, received a $250.00 award.
Brittani Schettkoe, graduate of Minisink Valley High School received a $1,000 scholarship.
The Caitlin M. Hammaren Memorial Foundation and Arts Institute Fund is facilitated through the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, a 501(c)(3) public charity that was created to help individuals, organizations, and businesses establish charitable endowments within their community. This fund is just one of many examples of how scholarship funds create educational advancement.
To create your own charitable endowment, or to add to an existing named endowment, contact the Community Foundation, Karen VanHouten, at (845) 769-9393 or e-mail vanhouten@cfoc-ny.org.
