We share your passion for giving back to our community, creating and nurturing great friendships, enjoying the outdoors and living the best life possible on the St. Lawrence River.  That’s why, in July 2001, the Alexandria Bay Chapter of The Foundation for Community Betterment was born—hosting its first annual “Paddle for Betterment” in the heart of the 1000 Islands.  As one of the first events ever held through the newly formed national organization, Alexandria Bay’s Paddle for Betterment has become a true “River” community tradition. The Paddle represents all that our Betterment network hopes to always achieve, as it brings together volunteers and participants of all ages while generating the spirit of philanthropy at a local level.

Families and individuals from near and far join us year after year at this beautiful event, making the Paddle For Betterment a true St. Lawrence River summertime tradition! Kayaks, Canoes, Skiffs or Standup Paddle Boards welcome!  Participants young and old "raise their paddles" to have fun and support the "Ripple Effect" we call Betterment.  With the fire boat leading us up the river, paddlers travel the shores of Alexandria Bay collecting poker cards to use in their poker hand. Prizes will be awarded for Adult and Youth Division winners in 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place.  It is our honor to name this incredibly special event after our founder, Carolyn Curley. Carolyn was a fierce supporter of The Foundation for Community Betterment and was instrumental in our chapter’s development.  She forever touched our hearts, shaping both our organization and community in immeasurable ways.

Date:                                       Saturday, July 27, 2024
Time:                                       9:00AM—Noon
Check-In:                                8:00 AM
Location:                                Alexandria Bay Village Beach
Pre-Registration Cost:         $45 for Adults  / $25 for Youth (Ends July 5th)
Pre-Registration Ends:        July 5th for FREE $15 Fitted T-shirt & $5 off registration
Day-Of Registration:            $50 For Adults / $30 for Youth
Divisions:                                 Adult Division (18+) & Youth Division (17 + under)
Capacity:                                  250 paddlers!
Registration Includes:          Paddle Entry, T-Shirt (Must Pre-Register), Breakfast, Door Prize Entry, Free Gift & access to "Welcome Party" on Friday Evening.
Awards Ceremony:               Poker Card Turn-In, Awards Ceremony and Recipient Gathering immediate follows
                                                   at Scenic View Park Pavilion starting at 11 AM.
Kayak Rentals:                        Call in Advance Mac's Boat Rentals (pick up), Swan Bay Resort (pick up), Otter Creek Outfitter (Pick up),  or Riverbay Adventure Inn (Delivery to Beach)
Rules of Participation:         Click Here
Route ( 3 1/2 +/- miles):      Click Here
Rain or Shine Info:                 All outdoor weekend events are rain or shine—with no rain date(s) scheduled. Rarely over the past 20+ years have we had weather concerns.  In the event of heavy rain, paddlers will proceed to the pavilion to draw poker cards and enjoy the “Awards and Recipients Ceremony.”  In the event of necessary cancellation due to thunder/lightening, your registration will be considered a direct donation to Community Betterment.  Thanks for your understanding.  
Register Online:                    CLICK HERE
Register by Mail:                   Download Form & Adult Waiver or Minor Waiver
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Sponsorship Options:            Download Form or CLICK HERE
In-Kind Donation Form:         Download Here
                                     

Whether you are just getting started or have been playing golf for years, join us at our fun-filled golf tournament! Two Tee-times take place (morning and afternoon), along with contests for longest drive, closest to the pin, putting and skins!

​Date:                                       Friday, July 26, 2024
Time:                                      10:30 AM + 2:00 PM Tee Times
Check-In:                               1-hour prior to T-Time
Location:                               Village Municipal Golf Courts
Divisions:                               Men's, Women's and Co-ed: 2 Person Scramble
Capacity:                                22 Teams in Morning + 22 Teams in Afternoon (88 people total)
Cost:                                       $50 per person
Registration Includes:        Tournament Entry, Golf Cart, Lunch, Prizes & access to "Welcome Party" on Friday Evening.
Awards Ceremony:              5:30-7:30PM at Bonnie Castle Resort (Opening of Welcome Party)
Rain or Shine Info:                All outdoor weekend events are rain or shine—with no rain date(s) scheduled.   Rarely have we had weather concerns.  In the event inclement weather or necessary cancellation due to thunder/lightening, your registration will be considered a direct donation to Community Betterment.  You’re still invited to our Welcome Party where we will distribute door prizes/gifts.  Thanks for your understanding.
Register Online:                   GO HERE
Register by Mail:                  Download Form
Wavier Form:                        None
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Sponsorship Options:            Download Form​ or CLICK HERE
In-Kind Donation Form:         Download Here

 The John N. Russell Memorial Doubles Tennis Tournament honors the beautiful memory of Mr. John Russell.  “Big John,” a self-described River Rat, was a noted river community businessman, avid tennis player and solid supporter of The Foundation for Community Betterment’s programs and events.  Members of Mr. Russell’s family attend and support this special event annually.  We hope you will join, along with other members of our tennis community as we swing our rackets in support of the “Ripple Effect” called Community Betterment!  We encourage participants to wear predominantly white tennis attire in John’s honor.

​Date:                                        Friday, July 26, 2024
Time:                                       9:00AM
Check-In:                                8:15 AM
Location:                                Alexandria Bay Village Municipal Tennis Courts 
Cost:                                        $40 per person
Capacity:                                12 Men's teams + 12 Women's teams (48 players total)
Registration Includes:         Tournament Entry, A Special Gift, Prizes, & Access to “Welcome Party” on Friday Evening!
Awards Ceremony:               Immediately Follows Tournament (Courtside)
Who can Participate:            Men’s and Women’s Doubles Teams;
                                                   Combined age of players must be equal or greater than 75
Rain or Shine Info:                 All outdoor weekend events are rain or shine—with no rain date(s) scheduled.  Rarely have we had weather concerns.  In the event inclement weather tennis players should plan for the whole day to get match play in.   In the event of necessary cancellation due to thunder/lightening, your registration will be considered a direct donation to Community Betterment.  You’re still invited to our Welcome Party where we will distribute door prizes/gifts.  Thanks for your understanding.  
Register Online:                     CLICK HERE
Register by Mail:                    Download Form
Waiver Form:                          Included in online registration.  Available to fill out on site for mail in registrations.

The reason we're all here—our recipients!  Witness the impact of your participation in community betterment.  Experience first-hand this powerful, heartwarming ceremony of recipient acknowledgements and gifting.  You'll see, hear and feel why this is the single most impactful part of our entire “Community Betterment Weekend.”

Date:                                        Saturday, July 27, 2024
Time:                                       11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location:                                 Scenic View Park Pavilion
Cost:                                        FREE (without Breakfast)
Who can Participate?          EVERYONE!

Past Programs:
View our 2024 Recipient Ceremony Program
View our 2023 Recipient Ceremony Program
View our 2022 Recipient Ceremony Program.
View our 2021 Recipient Ceremony Program.

Our chapter continues to grow in numbers and impact, demonstrating the "Ripple Effect" of kindness in supporting Alexandria Bay's community.  Through the years our Chapter has witnessed increased volunteer interest, sign-up participation and event offerings.  We now host an entire "Community Betterment Weekend" featuring multiple memorable events. It is amazing to see three generations of volunteers all contributing to make your weekend memorable and successful for our local community!

Since 2001, through the generosity of our supporters, we've donated more than $240,000 to our community!  All funds raised directly help individuals or local organizations in need.  Recipients of funds must be recommended by someone in the Foundation's network of supporters, possess a philanthropic spirit and must make an immediate and specific difference to that individual's life or that of the organization.  All recipients must be approved by our National Board of directors to ensure all three criteria are always met. Click here to view our Recipient Nomination Form (for board member use only).
In order of most recent, past Alexandria Bay area recipients include:

The Ron McLennan Immediate Need Fund was established in memory of Ronald J. McLennan, a member of Betterment's host committee since its inception, who passed away in 2011.  The purpose of our "Immediate Need Fund" is to provide Betterment the ability to give funding for local Alexandria Bay Recipients not just at our summer events, but throughout the year.  Mr. McLennan was Superintendent of Alexandria Central School for 27 years.  He gave in so many ways (big and small) to the Alexandria Bay community, creating a ripple effect that personifies the mission of Betterment.  We are forever grateful for his friendship, leadership and support - and are honored to be able to positively carry out his name. 
Donate here to the Alexandria Bay Ronald McLennan Immediate Need Fund.

• Community Service Award ($1,000) - Established 2021

​Our chapter offers a $1,000 “Community Betterment” Scholarship Award to the Alexandria Central School Senior who demonstrates outstanding commitment to “Community Service and Betterment.”  The purpose of this award is to recognize and support the high school senior whose good deeds and volunteer service show a positive contribution to our community, making a difference in the lives of others.  The senior must also be enrolling full-time in an accredited post-secondary institution or trade school. Eligible candidates must be a current student at Alexandria Central School and be continuing their higher education.  A recipient will be chosen based on the impact of their service to their school or community—after review of their submitted application.
View our application process for the Community Service Award here.

• Technical Scholarship Award ($500) - Established 2024

With the increased need for students to find support in technical, vocation and trade-oriented schools/programs, our Chapter offers a $500 Community Betterment Technical Scholarship.  The award was established to assist Alexandria Central School Seniors who wish to enroll in a 2-year technical or vocational program to pursue their education and career goals. A recipient will be chosen based on, school grades, letters of recommendation, work history, and volunteerism—after review of their submitted application.
View our application process the Technical Scholarship Award here. 

How does the bottle/can donation process work?
1. You can donate your bottles/cans YEAR-ROUND, any time you wish.
2. To participate: simply drop off your bottle/can donations at their A-Bay redemption center at 45447 Rt. 12, Alexandria Bay. At time of drop off, please 100% CONFIRM with their staff that you want your returnable money to be donated to The Foundation for Community Betterment - Alexandria Bay Chapter. You can ask for a receipt if you'd like.
3. Phinns will mail a check to Betterment once per month to our chapter's Immediate Need Fund to help with immediate needs throughout the year.

The Northern New York Community Foundation (NNYCF) has been working with non-profit organization, businesses, families and individuals since 1929 to perpetuate legacies of community giving.  In June 2018, our chapter partnered with the NNYCF to establish a permanent endowment fund for Alexandria Bay's Chapter of the Foundation for Community Betterment.  We are grateful for the NNYCF's $20,000 matching grant to establish and build our endowment fund.  Partnering with the NNY Community Foundation represents the next step in Betterment's evolution and guarantees that we will have positive, long-term presence in our community for generations to come. Click here to donate to our endowment fund.

All donations should be made payable to the Northern New York Community Foundation with "The Foundation for Community Betterment Alexandria Bay Endowment Fund"  noted on the memo line or in the donor's instructions to the NNYCF.

Checks can also be mailed to :
Northern New York Community Foundation
131 Washington St.
Watertown, NY 13601

Since the fund is stewarded at the NNYCF, donors may also make gifts of stock and appreciated securities to the fund.  Types of gifts accepted are explained here.  Tax ID information is available here.

Through the years, Betterment's volunteers and supporters have worked together tirelessly to help our community.  We are honored to have received the following awards and recognition for our positive contributions to Alexandria Bay - and we are grateful for all those who share the same vision of making our community a better place through actions large and small.

• Alexandria Bay Chamber of Commerce's "Spirit of Giving Award!" - June 2018
  
• Northwestern Mutual Community Service Award ($15,000 Grant ) - January 2017
  

Are you looking for ways to give back to your community or make a difference in the lives of others?  Perhaps you've thought about ways to share your talents, develop new skills or build upon your experience and knowledge?  Maybe you're looking to meet new people or donate a few hours of your time to help a great cause.  Whatever the reason, your help can make a BIG difference in Alexandria Bay!  There's plenty of ways to get involved, in an area that interests you - fill out the form below.!

The following Individuals currently serve on our Local Chapter Board. 
We are grateful for all (additional) volunteers who organize our events and provide help on event day.

THANK YOU for making our events successful, memorable and meaningful to Alexandria Bay's recipients.  Whether you volunteer, sponsor our efforts, contribute door prizes, give silent auction items, donate, buy raffle tickets, play golf, swing your tennis racket or raise your paddle, your contribution to our fundraising efforts make our community a better place.  We look forward to these wonderful gatherings each year and being surrounded by amazing people.