September Focus: Supporting Community Education
Living & Learning in Delaware County
THE SEASON OF YELLOW HAS ARRIVED - school busses line McGalliard, local businesses roll out pencils aplenty, and the leaves around us have begun to shepherd in autumn weather. As kids begin their back-to-school routine, the power of a strong, inclusive, and resilient educational system once again shines throughout Delaware County.
While the Foundation is well known for the excitement of scholarship season, supporting Delaware County’s education is a year-long pursuit thanks to our generous donors. Here are a few stories of how community members are supporting early childhood education, giving high school graduates tools for success, and honoring our community’s former educators.
Pat K. Moore & Janet A. Wilson
First Presbyterian Church’s Pre-Kindergarten Program has been providing children “the opportunity to develop intellectually, socially, physically and spiritually” since 1955. The organization, which serves children of all religions, has raised generations of Delaware County preschoolers and will do so for many years to come, thanks in part to endowed funds through the Foundation.
Pat K. Moore (right) dedicated her life to serving Muncie’s children. A Delaware County native, she graduated from Ball State and taught in Anderson and Muncie before joining the church’s Pre-K Program. During her 22 years there, she fostered friendships that lasted her lifetime. After Pat passed away in 2006, her husband Bruce, along with family and friends, established the Pat K. Moore Pre- Kindergarten Memorial Fund to honor her legacy.
From Bruce: “The continuation of the organizations that Pat and I were passionate about and helping children develop a love to learn in a safe environment were the main reasons we looked to The Community Foundation.”
Janet A. Wilson (left) taught at Muncie Community Schools for several years before joining the Pre-K’s staff. There, she taught for 11 years before passing away unexpectedly. Her husband Joseph, a former member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors, recognized the value of community giving and began a fund in her name, as well. Since 2002, the Janet A. Wilson Memorial Fund has supported the ongoing operations of the Pre-K.
“Education, formal or otherwise, opens doors, provides more paths to follow, and in many cases encourages a desire for learning.”
John & Marcia Kelly
John and Marcia Kelly have spent most of their lives in school. The couple met while at Ball State, and they have been involved in Delaware County’s educational scene ever since. John spent 39 years teaching and working in administration, while Marcia pursued advisory roles in Student Services during her 30-year career at Ball State.
To continue their impact far into the future, the couple established the John C. Kelly and Marcia Ressler Kelly fund in 2018. While their fund is unrestricted, the Foundation has kept the couple’s interests at the forefront of grant decisions – so far, their gift has supported organizations including Project Leadership and College Mentors for Kids, among others. These organizations work to develop leadership skills and academic confidence in students of all ages, including local Ball State students.
“The Class of ‘49 at Burris is widely dispersed and the scholarship process would be difficult. We could have worked with the Burris faculty, but we would have been responsible for the bookkeeping and investing... There are just an awful lot of things that community foundations can do that individuals can’t.”
Burris Class of 1949
While the Burris Class of ‘49 has widely dispersed in the 70 years since their graduation, one thing has continued to ground them in their past: memories of their wonderful homeroom teacher, Angie Wilson.
Paul Judy, president of the Class of ‘49, remembers Angie as a “sparkling teacher, always enthusiastic and cheery... She expected people to have done their homework, and she had no inhibition when calling on you.” She also expected her students to pursue higher education. It was in this spirit that the class established a scholarship in her honor following their 60th reunion.
Today, the Burris Class of 1949 Angie Wilson Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a Burris student planning to go to college full-time to become a teacher, ensuring that Angie’s legacy will continue to impact local students and future teachers for years to come.
Make a Difference
Caring, giving donors are key to developing an enduring source of charitable assets to benefit our community today, tomorrow, and always.