The board game Monopoly has its Community Chest.
   Now, Lawrence Township has a version of its own — the Lawrence Township Community Foundation Inc.
   The concept of the foundation grew out of a meeting between Becky Taylor, director of community relations for Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., Eleanor Horne, vice president of the Educational Testing Service and Mayor Pam Mount.
   "Bristol-Myers Squibb and ETS would like to make a positive impact in the community," Mayor Mount said. "They are interested in supporting nonprofit civic groups, but they not aware of which group is the neediest."

'The foundation's goal is to help nonprofit groups do the job they want to do with the energy they have, without having to worry where the next penny is coming from.' Mayor Pam Mount

   That's where the Lawrence Township Community Foundation Inc. fits in, Mayor Mount said. The foundation is modeled after the Lawrence Township Education Foundation, she said. The LTEF awards grants to teachers for classroom projects.
   The two corporations, plus Jasna Polana, have contributed $100,000 toward the fledgling community foundation, Mayor Mount said. The goal is to raise $150,000 to $200,000 annually that can be awarded to groups, she said.
   "The foundation's goal is to help nonprofit groups do the job they want to do with the energy they have, without having to worry where the next penny is coming from. We have organizations and groups that are in need, but it is tough for them to get money," Mayor Mount said.
   The foundation could focus on making grants to church groups and neighborhood organizations, she said. For example, if a Boy Scout troop needed money to buy some equipment, it could apply to the foundation for financial support, she said.
   But the foundation's contributions may not be limited to handing out money, Mayor Mount said. The organization could serve as a clearing house to pair volunteers with those who need their help, she said. Manpower is as important as financial support, she added.
   For example, ETS encourages its workers to volunteer, she said. If a Boy Scout troop wants to go rock climbing and there is an ETS employee who is an expert rock climber, the foundation could link the two.
   "We want to help residents do the things they would like to do. It seems to me, a little bit of seed money or manpower could be very helpful," Mayor Mount said.
   "I hope this will be a good vehicle for smaller businesses who want to be helpful to the community. Their executives may not live in Lawrence, but this is a way for the businesses to become involved in the town. We will defintely be reaching out to them," she said.

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