Giving Back
Richard has donated his time, leadership and personal resources to numerous civic, charitable, religious and philanthropic causes. His unwavering support has been recognized by his peers through various awards.
In cooperation with The Women’s Fund of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, Inc., Richard founded “Annie’s Fund.” The fund was created to help women make positive changes at critical points in their lives. Since 2004, Annie’s Fund has awarded 146 grants to women in need.
Richard served for 10 years, from 1994 to 2004, on the board of The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, Inc., including two years as the board chairman. He was the 2007 recipient of the foundation’s Rosamond Childs Award for Community Philanthropy. The award honors the memory of the foundation’s first and largest benefactor and is presented to a donor who exemplifies her philanthropic spirit. Richard was the first living person to receive the award.
“The Foundation is deeply honored to present The Rosamond Childs Award for Community Philanthropy to Richard L. Hanna in recognition of his exceptional generosity as well as the compassion, leadership and humility he exemplifies. Richard’s philanthropy has addressed nearly every aspect of human need and care, as well as education and the arts. We thank him today for his selfless commitment to others,” the award stated.
Longtime state Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito applauded the achievement. State Sen. Joseph Griffo presented a resolution in honor of the award.
In addition, Richard has also received several honors from the Jewish Community Federation; the “Good Samaritan Award” from the Samaritan Counseling Center; the Corporate Service Award” from the Resource Center of Independent Living; and the YWCA of the Mohawk Valley honored Richard for being “A Champion of Women for Close to Three Decades.”
Richard has also assisted dozens of nonprofits and community philanthropic agencies including: St. Elizabeth Medical Center, East Utica Youth Ministry, Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy, Oneida County Historical Society, United Way, Habitat for Humanity of Otsego County, Blessed Sacrament Church, Foothills Girl Scouts Council, Friends of Bassett Hospital, The House of the Good Shepherd, Stevens-Swan Humane Society and Hospice, to name a few.
He is a past board member of the Otsego County Industrial Development Agency and the Utica Zoological Society. Richard currently serves on the Utica Public Library Board as well as the Resource Center for Independent Living Foundation Board.
