Start up story of the Foundation and the Class of 1967 Scholarship
We
began to organize the Foundation in August of 2002 as part of our 35th Year
Class Reunion. A presentation was made and a vote taken to form the Foundation.
At this time a name had not been selected. We had a small auction and asked for
contributions, initially raising approximately $1400. A newsletter was sent in
the fall to all classmates notifying them of foundation activities and
requesting more contributions. This
raised our total contributions to slightly over $3000.
A
slate of five officers was drafted, voted upon and elected before year-end. Two
of our board members are prominent local residents, Nancy Snead Chappell and
Gene Hart. One of our members, David Arthur, recently returned to Lunenburg
County. He was familiar with constitutions and bylaws and drafted a
constitution and bylaws for the foundation. The necessary papers were
eventually filed with the Commonwealth of Virginia to grant our charter. It
took approximately a year working with the IRS to receive our ruling as a
charitable organization (501(c)(3)).
The
principal at Central, C. B. Haskins, was contacted to advise him of our efforts
and to request his support. Arvin Bell,
director of the guidance department was also consulted; both he and Mr. Haskins
were instrumental in assisting with this endeavor.
A
group of ten classmates developed the criteria which the guidance office would
use in selecting an individual to receive our scholarship. Tank Wilson,
Benchmark Community Bank, assisted in establishing the account at no charge due
to our nonprofit status.
In
the spring of 2003, the foundation notified Central that a $300 scholarship was
available for a deserving graduate. Although a small dollar amount, it
represented quite a step forward and a promise of things to come.
Each
year we distribute a newsletter to inform classmates about Foundation
activities, ask for annual contributions and announce scholarship
recipients. We have been raising between $1500 and $3000 a year. Our scholarships
have grown from $300 in 2003 to $500 in 2004, $700 in 2005, $1000 in 2006,
$1250 in 2007, $1000 in 2008, $1250 in 2009, and $1000 in 2010. The class of
‘67 is proud of this accomplishment! Most of the reserve funds have been
invested in the Vanguard Group’s Windsor Mutual Fund.
After
the death of a dear classmate in the fall of 2005, a decision was made to
present a scholarship in his memory. Scholarships will be presented in memory
of other deceased classmates in the future. We are also in the process of
establishing criteria to honor special teachers.
It
is now time to invite other classes to join in our efforts. Each graduating class is encouraged to
establish scholarships and we are available to assist in structuring the
scholarship they sponsor. The long term goal for the Class of 1967 is to
establish an endowment fund of $100,000 and for each graduating class at
Central to establish an endowment fund in their name within ten years of their
graduation. This will indeed have a profound and lasting impact for graduating
seniors at Central.
We
are grateful for the education we received in Lunenburg County. It is our goal
to help graduating seniors continue their education and to recognize the
efforts of our teachers. We have been blessed by their dedication and
commitment to our education.
In
Gratitude,
The Class of 1967