Dr. Nancy S. Horie of Auburn and Susanna Chatametikool of Lewiston have established a fund to support educational projects in Androscoggin County. Grants from the fund, which honors their parents, Robert and Barbara Seward, will be made through the Androscoggin County Committee of the Maine Community Foundation.

"We are grateful to Dr. Horie and Ms. Chatametikool for their support of education in Androscoggin County and for entrusting the committee with reviewing grant proposals," said Bill Hiss, chair of the Androscoggin County Committee.

Robert Seward was a languages professor at Bates College from 1930 until his death in 1966. In the March 12, 1947, issue of the Bates Student, Professor Seward urged the college to better prepare its students to be good citizens in a democracy and "to weave the college more intimately into the life of this community and region." Barbara Seward was active with the YWCA's International Institute.

The Androscoggin County Committee is currently focused on meeting a challenge grant from the Betterment Fund. Through the grant, the Androscoggin County Fund will receive a dollar for every two dollars the committee raises--up to $100,000--through October 15, 2008. The Seward Fund will count toward that total.

A statewide organization with offices in Augusta, Ellsworth and Portland, the Maine Community Foundation has been partnering with donors and nonprofits to strengthen Maine communities for 25 years. For more information about MaineCF or the campaign for Androscoggin County, please contact Ann Marie Bartoo at 353-0600.

--July 1, 2008