Submitted photo Left to right: Bill Makuch, retired NYS Corrections Department; Gabe Persch, scholarship recipient; Dunkirk Police Chief David Ortolano; Tye Pattyson, scholarship recipient; Kurt Maytum, Assistant Chief of Fredonia Fire Department.

The Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation recently assisted representatives of the Chautauqua Fallen Heroes Scholarship committee in presenting the Chautauqua Fallen Heroes Scholarship awards. This year the committee proudly awarded scholarships to Gabe Persch and Ty Pattyson.

Gabe is a 2019 Fredonia High School graduate currently attending Niagara University majoring in Criminal Justice. “With my career, I don’t just want to impact my bank account. I want to impact my community,” says Gabe in his essay. “I want to make my county, state, and nation feel more secure. I want to be able to look back and know that I made a real difference.”

Ty graduated from Cassadaga Valley High School in June 2019, and is now attending Jamestown Community College majoring in Criminal Justice. Ty says in his essay, “I would make an exceptional police officer because I enjoy helping people who are in need.” He goes on to say, “Ever since I was little, I have looked up to police officials, and I have been inspired by what they accomplish on a day-to-day basis.”

The Chautauqua Fallen Heroes Fund was established at the NCCF in the fall of 2001. The primary purpose of this fund is to provide support to the families of county heroes – firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMS personnel and other local uniformed heroes – who have been killed or critically debilitated in the line of duty. The fund also provides scholarships to students who are interested in careers in public safety. To qualify, applicants must be pursuing a career in law enforcement, firefighting, or emergency medical services.

For additional information on this scholarship, visit www.nccfoundation.org/fallen-heroes-1 or e-mail vhowell@nccfoundation.org. A list of other scholarships is available on the website www.nccfoundation.org/scholarships-home.

The NCCF, incorporated in 1986, is a tax-exempt charitable organization. Since its establishment, the NCCF has distributed more than $15.5 million in the community through its various grant programs. It is an organization inherently committed to enriching the northern Chautauqua community and encouraging local philanthropy. For more information on the NCCF, visit www.nccfoundation.org or call 716-366-4892.