Scholarship Honorees

Barbara Bucholtz #112

Placed at Hilbert College

Field of Study: Criminal Justice - Cybersecurity - Human Services

Barbara began her Home Bureau journey as a member of Erie County Home Extension in 1956, until Buffalo City Home Bureau was formed in 1967. She was an active member, officer, and teacher at all levels of Home Bureau since then.

Barbara served as Chairman of West Side Chapter from 1970-72 and again from 1994-1996. She served as Secretary for Buffalo City for many years until her election to the Executive Board. She was elected Buffalo City

Chairman in 1990 and was re-elected in 1995. She served in this capacity as Buffalo City’s representative to Western District until her death on March 6, 2025.

She served on Western District’s By-Laws committee and the State Nominating Committee. Barbara was elected as Chairman of Western District in 2006 serving three years.

Two outstanding projects that Barbara headed up during her Buffalo City terms was the quilted American Flag project for the Veterans Hospital in Buffalo and a Yo-Yo Quilt fund-raiser that netted $1000.00 clear profit.

Barbara was instrumental in getting the Western District Newsletter streamlined with a printer that prints, folds, seals, labels and mails them. She then was appointed “Newsletter Editor of Western District” and served in that position for 20 years.

Donna Fountain #111

Placed at Clinton County Community College

Field of Study: Liberal Arts: Math/Science, Nursing

Donna Fountain started her journey in Home Bureau as an unofficial member when her grandmother, Gladys Perras, a Federation president in 1969-1970, had meetings at her home. She started crafting, especially macrame, in high school and continued it in college and for a few years after she got married in 1977.

While in college Donna lived with her grandmother and helped setup and prepare food for the meetings. She watched her grandmother sew, knit, crochet, and do other crafting. With her grandmother, she attended some sewing classes given by Cornell Cooperative Extension. In one class they each made a winter jacket. In another Donna learned to reupholster a chair, and learned chair caning. In 1982 she officially joined the West Chazy chapter in Clinton County. She has been chairman of her chapter for 24 years. Donna also has been scholarship chairman in Clinton County and Northern District for 23 years, and has been the assistant State scholarship chairman for 11 years. She has served on the scholarship selection committee at Plattsburgh State for the past 35 years, helping to select a student to receive her grandmother’s scholarship, along with the other Home Bureau scholarships placed there.

Donna lives in Beekmantown, New York with her husband Derrick, where they raised three daughters, Tracey, Suzanne, and Lita Michelle. She also has two grandchildren Jade and Caleb.

Donna received an associate’s degree in Liberal Arts/math and science at Clinton Community College and then transferred to Plattsburgh State University and received a bachelor of arts degree in biology. She went on to work three years for the Clinton County Health Department. At which time, she decided to be a stay-at-home mom. After her children were in school, Donna worked part time in her family’s insurance agency business. She spent many hours volunteering at her church’s dinners and festivals. Donna is a member of a group of ladies who love to bead called ‘Ladies of the Beading.’ Her love of crafting and scholarship, and dedication to Home Bureau comes from her grandmother, who was very special to her and a wonderful influence.

At her request, the 111^th scholarship honoring Donna Fountain was presented to Clinton Community College on October 1, 2024 at the State annual meeting held at Vernon Downs, Vernon NY. The fields of study will be Liberal Arts: Math/Science and Nursing.