Nonprofits receive over $100,000 from Phish

WATKINS GLEN--Seven nonprofits serving Schuyler County that assisted in the flood recovery last year received $14,875.06 each from the band Phish and their nonprofit foundation, The WaterWheel Foundation. The announcement was made last week and the check presentation was held Tuesday, April 9 at Watkins Glen International.
Recipients will include: the Watkins Glen Fire Department, Humane Society of Schuyler County, Hector Food Pantry, Valois, Logan and Hector Fire Department, Arbor Housing and Development Foundation, American Red Cross of the Finger Lakes and the Dundee Fire and Rescue Team.
Phish was forced to cancel the Curveball concert last summer, amidst a 14-county state of emergency and a mandatory boil water order for the Village of Watkins Glen. The band members chose to donate the proceeds from merchandise sales to support the work of nonprofit organizations.
"We are so thankful to Phish and The WaterWheel Foundation for funding these grants benefiting a number of our area nonprofits," said Michael Printup, President of Watkins Glen International. "These tremendous organizations were instrumental in helping Schuyler County residents through last August's flooding event, and we are proud to host the ceremony at which they will be rightfully honored,"
The WaterWheel Foundation was created by Phish in 1997 to oversee the band's various charitable activities. Executive Director Beth Montuori Rowles added, "We were all so disappointed by the cancellation of Curveball last summer and recognize, in particular, that Watkins Glen and the surrounding communities suffered terrible consequences from the flooding. Being able to make this donation reaffirms all of our goals as a charitable foundation, harnessing the collective philanthropic efforts of Phish and their fans to be able to give meaningful donations to the communities that we visit on tour. We're just glad to have the opportunity to help."
The grant will be administered by the Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes, Inc. The total award amount is $104,125.42.