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.
https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Theresa-Carrig-Childrens-Center.jpg700932Little Falls Historical Society Museumhttps://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
https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Old-St-Marys-14.jpg461797Little Falls Historical Society Museumhttps://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.pngLittle Falls Historical Society Museum2024-03-21 08:00:002024-03-21 08:08:45A SAILOR AT HEART | THE LIFE STORY OF CHARLES P. BYRON
On March 1, 1896, The hospital, formerly located on North Ann Street, was moved to larger quarters at the Ackerman property at 610 West Monroe Street. Future plans call for the erection of a new building once the hospital association is in shape fiscally.
https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_3492.jpeg9721500Little Falls Historical Society Museumhttps://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.pngLittle Falls Historical Society Museum2024-03-01 09:17:512024-03-04 09:19:37From the Cooney Archives: This Day in History on March 1, 1896
https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_3384.jpeg17181273Little Falls Historical Society Museumhttps://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.pngLittle Falls Historical Society Museum2024-02-15 08:00:002024-02-26 15:26:39THE GREAT BICYCLE RELAY RACE OF 1892
On February 14, 1937, the Old Bakery Oven found as Bellinger Block is razed on North Ann Street. Chief Cooney’s scrapbooks indicate it was in use 70 years ago, when A E Bellinger operated a bakery here.
https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_3399.jpeg8791500Little Falls Historical Society Museumhttps://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.pngLittle Falls Historical Society Museum2024-02-14 15:23:572024-02-14 15:23:59From the Cooney Archives: This Day in History
https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_3314.jpeg9001200Little Falls Historical Society Museumhttps://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.pngLittle Falls Historical Society Museum2024-01-31 08:00:002024-01-31 08:08:43LUNDSTROM BOOKCASE’S LONG JOURNEY HOME
In recent years, the Historical Society has dedicated its annual writing series to three teachers, Harold Templeman, Hector Allen, and Helen Dunteman, and to former city historian, and one of the Historical Society’s founding members, Edward Cooney. The Society’s 2024 writing series is being dedicated to Edwin Vogt.
https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_3298.jpeg12001026Little Falls Historical Society Museumhttps://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.pngLittle Falls Historical Society Museum2024-01-29 08:05:002024-01-29 08:31:322024 HISTORICAL SOCIETY WRITING SERIES DEDICATED TO EDWIN VOGT
On December 1, 1853, John Burnham was attempted to cross the aqueduct on the side without rails, slipped on the ice, and fell 20 or 25 feet to his death upon the rocks below.
https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/IMG_3067.jpeg484900Little Falls Historical Society Museumhttps://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.pngLittle Falls Historical Society Museum2023-12-05 15:44:552023-12-05 15:44:571822 AQUEDUCT | A BRIDGE FOR BOATS
https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/318552371_627939525787690_2368278088680181661_n.jpg621828Little Falls Historical Society Museumhttps://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.pngLittle Falls Historical Society Museum2023-12-04 09:16:142023-12-05 11:46:29Come and enjoy Christmas in Little Falls!
https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_2997.jpeg10261452Little Falls Historical Society Museumhttps://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.pngLittle Falls Historical Society Museum2023-11-29 09:15:342023-11-30 10:20:16Mysteries of the Bowie Knife by Ann Schuyler
https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_2843.jpeg7001200Little Falls Historical Society Museumhttps://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.pngLittle Falls Historical Society Museum2023-11-03 14:05:262023-11-06 08:44:04ITALIAN IMMIGRANTS FIND THEIR WAY TO LITTLE FALLS
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.
A SAILOR AT HEART | THE LIFE STORY OF CHARLES P. BYRON
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumThe prelude to the life story of Charles P. Byron begins as one walks through the entrance of the Old St. Mary’s Cemetery.
From the Cooney Archives: This Day in History on March 1, 1896
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumOn March 1, 1896, The hospital, formerly located on North Ann Street, was moved to larger quarters at the Ackerman property at 610 West Monroe Street. Future plans call for the erection of a new building once the hospital association is in shape fiscally.
THE GREAT BICYCLE RELAY RACE OF 1892
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumThe Great Bicycle Relay Race was published in The Saturday Globe. This article has been adapted and added to by Ann Eysaman Schuyler.
From the Cooney Archives: This Day in History
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumOn February 14, 1937, the Old Bakery Oven found as Bellinger Block is razed on North Ann Street. Chief Cooney’s scrapbooks indicate it was in use 70 years ago, when A E Bellinger operated a bakery here.
LUNDSTROM BOOKCASE’S LONG JOURNEY HOME
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumLundstrom sectional barrister bookcases are often found in local law offices and private homes,holding sets of law books and personal libraries.
2024 HISTORICAL SOCIETY WRITING SERIES DEDICATED TO EDWIN VOGT
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumIn recent years, the Historical Society has dedicated its annual writing series to three teachers, Harold Templeman, Hector Allen, and Helen Dunteman, and to former city historian, and one of the Historical Society’s founding members, Edward Cooney. The Society’s 2024 writing series is being dedicated to Edwin Vogt.
1822 AQUEDUCT | A BRIDGE FOR BOATS
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumOn December 1, 1853, John Burnham was attempted to cross the aqueduct on the side without rails, slipped on the ice, and fell 20 or 25 feet to his death upon the rocks below.
Come and enjoy Christmas in Little Falls!
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumPlan a visit to the Little Falls Historical Society Museum on your list of fun activities during Christmas in Little Falls from December 8-10.
Mysteries of the Bowie Knife by Ann Schuyler
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumI sat by the window on the night of September 29th watching the last of four Super Full Moons when random memories ran through my mind.
ITALIAN IMMIGRANTS FIND THEIR WAY TO LITTLE FALLS
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumOn November 1, 1891, forty-eight Italians arrived in Little Falls from Buffalo to work on the Little Falls–Dolgeville Railroad.