Little Falls native Blaise Carrig (LFHS class of 1969) and his wife Leslie donated $50,000 earlier this year to six Little Falls non-profit organizations. The Carrigs responded to a series of questions for this article from their home in Longmont, Colorado.
“We make a living by what we get but we make a life by what we give.”
Winston Churchill
QUESTION #1: What / who inspired you to engage in philanthropic activity?
RESPONSE: We have been particularly inspired by the philanthropic efforts of people like Bill and Melinda Gates. We are fortunate to be able to be generous. Our primary goals are to help kids and families in need and to get kids outdoors to enjoy the natural world. For our giving to Little Falls entities, we have taken a broader view, encompassing some of the cultural and economic efforts taking place.
QUESTION #2: Why do the two of you feel that it is important for people to provide financial assistance to community non-profits and other charitable organizations?
RESPONSE: We feel fortunate and grateful for the ability to give back. Organizations that positively affect the lives of families in need are worthy of financial assistance. Little Falls has a number of such organizations and people doing great things.
QUESTION #3: In the past, you have provided anonymous donations for community organizations in Little Falls. What compelled you to “go public” this time?
RESPONSE: This was not an easy decision for us. While we often prefer to remain anonymous with our charitable donations, our primary goal in “going public” this time is to hopefully inspire other Little Falls residents and expatriates to support these worthy non-profits that are doing so much. I follow the My Little Falls online newsletter that Dave Warner publishes; I was struck by an article about the Community Chest having difficulty meeting their annual fund-raising goal. I see a lot of people on the I Remember Little Falls Facebook page who talk lovingly about their hometown, we hope to inspire some of those folks to consider giving back, even small amounts can greatly help these non-profits
QUESTION #4: Why do you feel that your hometown is worthy of such generosity?
RESPONSE: I feel very fortunate to have grown up in Little Falls and have great memories, appreciation, and fondness for my hometown. Additionally, a number of friends that I grew up with in Little Falls regularly donate much of their time and energy to the organizations that we donated to. Their efforts inspired us.
QUESTION#5: Is there anything you would like to add?
RESPONSE: Little Falls is a special place. When visiting family and friends, we are struck by the city’s timeless beauty and the volunteer energy that enhance the quality of life there.
Blaise also added that his parents loved Little Falls and the amenities and quality of life that exist here. Indirectly, Tom and Theresa Carrig were the inspiration for their son’s and daughter-in- law’s generous gift to Little Falls non-profits.
Once the COVID-19 health crisis subsides, we all hope that Blaise and Leslie continue to visit Little Falls. On behalf of our entire community, the Little Falls Historical Society wishes to thank them for their inspirational generosity.
To honor their mother, Theresa Carrig, the entire Carrig family made a generous donation to the LF Public library, which resulted in the complete renovation of the library’s children’s area. The Children’s Center now bears her name.
https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Theresa-Carrig-Childrens-Center.jpg700932Little Falls Historical Society Museumhttp://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.pngLittle Falls Historical Society Museum2020-10-30 14:40:442021-02-22 09:22:32Expatriate hopes generosity will inspire others
Our goal is $130,000 to help make it possible for the Little Falls Pool to open for the 2026 season. For many kids, the pool is where summer memories are made.
https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_1040.jpeg12001200Little Falls Historical Society Museumhttp://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.pngLittle Falls Historical Society Museum2026-03-10 11:34:492026-03-10 11:34:52Little Falls Municipal Pool Fund Raising Update
https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_0912.jpeg7121200Little Falls Historical Society Museumhttp://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.pngLittle Falls Historical Society Museum2026-03-03 09:32:572026-03-03 09:32:59MOTORCADE TO REVEAL SCENIC ATTRACTIONS OF NEW GORGE VIEW HIGHWAY
https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/IMG_0718.jpeg9001200Little Falls Historical Society Museumhttp://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.pngLittle Falls Historical Society Museum2026-02-02 08:11:092026-02-02 08:20:26FLOATING “HOT DOG” STAND ON INGHAMS LAKE (KEYSER LAKE)
In 1886, 20,000 knitting mill employees were locked out of their jobs by 50 mill owners in New York’s Mohawk Valley. The lockout was mostly lost to history but recently came to light.
https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Steve-photo-4-C-1900-The-Bailey-Gilbert-Mill-Little-Falls-Knitting-Company-on-Elizabeth-Street.jpeg9001200Little Falls Historical Society Museumhttp://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.pngLittle Falls Historical Society Museum2025-12-16 18:52:562025-12-17 08:26:04The Lockout of the 20,000
https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_0223.jpeg717960Little Falls Historical Society Museumhttp://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.pngLittle Falls Historical Society Museum2025-12-02 07:38:142025-12-02 11:08:18Remembering the Old Manheim Neighborhood
On the night of January 30th 1968, the first day of the Vietnamese New Year (Tet), communist forces launched an enormous, concerted attack on American strongholds throughout South Vietnam.
https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/IMG_8525.jpeg11711200Little Falls Historical Society Museumhttp://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.pngLittle Falls Historical Society Museum2025-08-18 07:55:482025-08-18 08:18:2857 Years Later, Reflections on the Tet Offensive
The combined efforts of the City of Little Falls and the Little Falls Historical Society over a ten-year period culminated in a Thursday August 7th well-attended sign dedication ceremony at the African American Burial Ground section of Church Street Cemetery.
In the years when Little Falls was renowned in the Mohawk Valley as the center of the knit-goods industry, Victor Adams’ Box Manufactory provided employment opportunities to many of its local citizens with the manufacturing of paper boxes.
https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/IMG_8321.jpeg8802388Little Falls Historical Society Museumhttp://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.pngLittle Falls Historical Society Museum2025-08-05 08:01:452025-08-05 08:01:49VICTOR ADAMS, A MAN OF PAPER, AND THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE NORTH WOODS
https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/IMG_7614.jpeg1470980Little Falls Historical Society Museumhttp://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.pngLittle Falls Historical Society Museum2025-07-29 13:43:202025-07-29 14:00:47Little Falls Canal Days Celebration
Expatriate hopes generosity will inspire others
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumLittle Falls native Blaise Carrig (LFHS class of 1969) and his wife Leslie donated $50,000 earlier this year to six Little Falls non-profit organizations. The Carrigs responded to a series of questions for this article from their home in Longmont, Colorado.
QUESTION #1: What / who inspired you to engage in philanthropic activity?
RESPONSE: We have been particularly inspired by the philanthropic efforts of people like Bill and Melinda Gates. We are fortunate to be able to be generous. Our primary goals are to help kids and families in need and to get kids outdoors to enjoy the natural world. For our giving to Little Falls entities, we have taken a broader view, encompassing some of the cultural and economic efforts taking place.
QUESTION #2: Why do the two of you feel that it is important for people to provide financial assistance to community non-profits and other charitable organizations?
RESPONSE: We feel fortunate and grateful for the ability to give back. Organizations that positively affect the lives of families in need are worthy of financial assistance. Little Falls has a number of such organizations and people doing great things.
QUESTION #3: In the past, you have provided anonymous donations for community organizations in Little Falls. What compelled you to “go public” this time?
RESPONSE: This was not an easy decision for us. While we often prefer to remain anonymous with our charitable donations, our primary goal in “going public” this time is to hopefully inspire other Little Falls residents and expatriates to support these worthy non-profits that are doing so much. I follow the My Little Falls online newsletter that Dave Warner publishes; I was struck by an article about the Community Chest having difficulty meeting their annual fund-raising goal. I see a lot of people on the I Remember Little Falls Facebook page who talk lovingly about their hometown, we hope to inspire some of those folks to consider giving back, even small amounts can greatly help these non-profits
QUESTION #4: Why do you feel that your hometown is worthy of such generosity?
RESPONSE: I feel very fortunate to have grown up in Little Falls and have great memories, appreciation, and fondness for my hometown. Additionally, a number of friends that I grew up with in Little Falls regularly donate much of their time and energy to the organizations that we donated to. Their efforts inspired us.
QUESTION#5: Is there anything you would like to add?
RESPONSE: Little Falls is a special place. When visiting family and friends, we are struck by the city’s timeless beauty and the volunteer energy that enhance the quality of life there.
Blaise also added that his parents loved Little Falls and the amenities and quality of life that exist here. Indirectly, Tom and Theresa Carrig were the inspiration for their son’s and daughter-in- law’s generous gift to Little Falls non-profits.
Once the COVID-19 health crisis subsides, we all hope that Blaise and Leslie continue to visit Little Falls. On behalf of our entire community, the Little Falls Historical Society wishes to thank them for their inspirational generosity.
Officers Raid Booze Plant In Manheim
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumUncover Still On Farm Of Josiah Winants
Little Falls Municipal Pool Fund Raising Update
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumOur goal is $130,000 to help make it possible for the Little Falls Pool to open for the 2026 season. For many kids, the pool is where summer memories are made.
MOTORCADE TO REVEAL SCENIC ATTRACTIONS OF NEW GORGE VIEW HIGHWAY
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumFrom the Little Falls Historical Society Archives, The Little Falls Evening Times, Tuesday, September 30, 1938.
FLOATING “HOT DOG” STAND ON INGHAMS LAKE (KEYSER LAKE)
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumFrom the Little Falls Historical Society Archives. First printed in the July 14, 1931 Little Falls Evening Times.
The Lockout of the 20,000
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumIn 1886, 20,000 knitting mill employees were locked out of their jobs by 50 mill owners in New York’s Mohawk Valley. The lockout was mostly lost to history but recently came to light.
Remembering the Old Manheim Neighborhood
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumMuch of today’s third ward of the City of Little Falls was once widely referred to as “the Manheim neighborhood.”
57 Years Later, Reflections on the Tet Offensive
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumOn the night of January 30th 1968, the first day of the Vietnamese New Year (Tet), communist forces launched an enormous, concerted attack on American strongholds throughout South Vietnam.
BURIAL GROUND SIGN PLACEMENT COMPLETES LONG PROJECT
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumThe combined efforts of the City of Little Falls and the Little Falls Historical Society over a ten-year period culminated in a Thursday August 7th well-attended sign dedication ceremony at the African American Burial Ground section of Church Street Cemetery.
VICTOR ADAMS, A MAN OF PAPER, AND THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE NORTH WOODS
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumIn the years when Little Falls was renowned in the Mohawk Valley as the center of the knit-goods industry, Victor Adams’ Box Manufactory provided employment opportunities to many of its local citizens with the manufacturing of paper boxes.
Little Falls Canal Days Celebration
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumOff-site programs and activities for Canal Days of the Little Falls Historical Society Museum