The Melanie Foundation
Melanie Merola O'Donnell
The Melanie Foundation was created in 2006 to honor the life and legacy of Melanie Merola O’Donnell,
with the mission to foster support for mental health issues. Melanie lived a life of giving, focusing her career on relieving suffering inflicted by mental illness.
Melanie died at the age of 33 while in the midst of doctoral studies in psychology. Her family and friends subsequently collaborated to bring The Melanie Foundation to life,
with the initial goal of providing scholarships to people who had the best chance of extending Melanie’s legacy – graduate students in a mental health field.
The Melanie Foundation’s most significant fundraiser, The Saratoga Palio, was a signature event in Saratoga each fall from 2006 until 2020.
Its success helped The Melanie Foundation expand its support of aspiring mental health practitioners and give back to Saratoga Springs – the community that gave us Melanie.
Since 2009, The Melanie Foundation has awarded a scholarship in her name to an outstanding post-graduate student in the field of mental health.
In addition, a portion of funds raised from each Saratoga Palio race were donated to local nonprofit organizations.
In 2019, a charitable donation was made to SNACpack Program. Since January 2015, every week, approximately 10 volunteers have come together at St. Clement’s Church to pack approximately 140 backpacks full of child-friendly, non-perishable, easily consumed foods for distribution.
In 2018, a charitable donation was made to The Latino Community Advocacy Program, a service of Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council that provides interpreting, advocacy and educational programming to Latino immigrants in Saratoga County.
In 2017, a charitable donation was made to The Senior Support Services of the Saratoga Senior Center. The Center is working to empower seniors to achieve and maintain personal independence and individual well being.
In 2016, a charitable donation was made to Shelters of Saratoga, whose mission is to provide individuals with safe shelter, supportive services and sustainable strategies to help end homelessness in the greater Saratoga region.
A charitable donation was also made to Night Out for You, a not for profit organization whose mission is creating an experience for an adult undergoing cancer treatment, allowing them to remember who they are by forgetting their diagnosis for a few hours.
In 2015, a charitable donation was made to Saratoga Center for the Family. The center’s mission is to strengthen children, families and the community by reducing the effects of abuse, trauma and family dysfunction through advocacy, education and mental health therapy.
In 2014, a charitable donation was made to Saratoga WarHorse Foundation, which provides a 3-day confidential, peer-to-peer, equine-based program to veterans struggling with the effects of PTSD, sleeplessness or suicidal thoughts.
In 2013, a charitable donation was made to Jake’s Help From Heaven, a non-profit foundation dedicated to supporting individuals with multiple medical challenges and disabilities.
In 2012, a charitable donation was made to World’s Window, whose mission seeks to develop, support, and expand education initiatives and programs in areas of need throughout Belize, New York and beyond, thereby providing hope and possibility, empowering individuals and communities for a brighter future.
In 2011 a charitable donation was made to Franklin Community Center, a non-profit organization providing basic necessities and services to less fortunate individuals and families in Saratoga. Their mission is to work collaboratively with individuals and other agencies to provide services that will improve the quality of life and foster a sense of neighborhood, community and family for all people.
In 2010 a charitable donation was made to the Saratoga Hospital Inpatient Mental Health Unit, which offers the community mental health services through their 16-bed inpatient Mental Health Unit.
In 2009 a charitable donation was made to Saratoga Bridges, a Chapter of NYSARC, Inc., the largest nonprofit organization in New York State serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. The 42 Chapters (otherwise known as The Arc NY) are located in every county throughout the state.