Establishment of the Reparations Fund
On the evening of November 2, 2020, someone broke a window of a Main Street shop. The vandalism fell on the eve of election day in a racially charged presidential contest. The owner of the business is Black — the only Black business owner on Main Street.
The members of the Chamber decided at the last breakfast meeting that donations should be collected to help cover the costs of repairing the window and to show support for the businessman whose window had been broken and we have been struck by the overwhelmingly generous responses. With the donations collected the financial cost of repairing the window was covered and the business owner was gifted with half page ads in the two local newspapers, and a new window sign decal.
With the overflow of funds, the Cold Spring Chamber of Commerce board established a Reparations Fund Any member of the business community who needs help covering the cost of repairing property damaged by incidents of hate or discrimination may apply for assistance from this fund.
As long as systemic racism persists, we will need to put systems of anti-racism into place to support equality and prosperity for all. We thank the members of the business community who contributed to the new fund in overwhelming numbers. Donations to the fund will be accepted at any time in the future.
The Reparations Fund is made possible by the generous donations from the following people, businesses, and organizations:
Jacqueline Azria (Paulette), Regina Bei (Hudson House Inn), Tara & James Caroll (Old Souls/Barber & Brew), Caitlin Chadwick (Caitlin Chadwick Photography), Jacqueline Coumans (So French), Bruce Croushore & Michele Hilmes, Douglas Cunningham (Putnam County News & Recorder and Putnam County Courier), Julie Cohen & Deb Dilkara (Dilkara Design), Stephanie Doucette (Swing), Lori & Jim Ely (Riverview Restaurant), Francine Farnorotto (The Gift Hut), Linzi Jean Fastiggi (Spice Revolution), Tara Flagler (Sweet Harvest), Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming, Juhee Lee-Hartford & James Hartford (River Architects), Martee Levi (Buster Levi Gallery), Robert & Anita Jacobson, The Highland’s Current, Bill Hussung & Mishara Canino (Bob McCaffrey Realty), Teresa & Brent Lagerman (Condensed), Kate Liberman & Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, Jeff Mikkelson (Jeff Mikkelson Photography), Nat & Anita Prentice, Julisa Rincon-Tomizawa (Juanita’s Kitchen), Judiann Romanello (Damn-aged Vintage), Michelle Smith (Hudson Highlands Land Trust), Eliza Starbuck (Flowercup Wine), Sachi Starbuck, Maryann Syrek (M Studio Gallery Fine & Applied Arts LLC.), Henry & Joan Turner, and Grey Zeien (Grey’s Printing).
If you would like to donate to the Reparations Fund, please send checks written out to the Cold Spring Chamber of Commerce to:
P.O. Box 36, Cold Spring, NY, 10516
Please indicate “Reparations Fund Contribution” in the memo line of your check.