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- Stuart Towns Outstanding Cross Country Award Endowment
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- American Flag Endowment Fund
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- Rudy Beede Scholarship Endowment
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- Lincoln Tiger Endowment Fund
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- Johnny Poe "Flying High" Endowment
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- Toys for Tots - SFC Elves, Inc. Endowment
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- Michelle Wilson Scholarship Endowment
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- David J. Cohn "Wishes" Endowment
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- Nicole Bennett Scholarship Endowment
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- Coach Ed Henderson/Coach Jim Devazier Endowment Fund
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- Nicole Bennett Endowment for Special Olympics Arkansas, Area VIII
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- Gazzola Vaccaro, Jr. Museum Endowment
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- St. Francis County Community Foundation Grantmakers Endowment
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- St. Francis County Community Foundation Operating Endowment
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- East Arkansas Community College Foundation Scholarship Endowment
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- St. Francis County Community Foundation Youth Endowment
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- Forrest City Education Foundation Scholarship Endowment
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- Mary Gregg Loeb Animal Welfare Endowment
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- Forrest City Kiwanis Club Endowment
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- Lois Nimocks Beeson Library Fund
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- Stevie Stevens Golf Endowment
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- Forrest City Education Foundation Student Assistance Endowment
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- SFC Food Pantry Endowment
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Individuals, families, and corporations can establish charitable funds with us to support the causes they care about. Below are many of our donor stories that we would like to share with you in addition to a list of the growing number of funds that have been established.
The St. Francis County Food Pantry Endowment was established by the SFCFP Board Members, McAllister, Whitby, and the Robinson and Borden Families on May 22, 1982. Prior to the death of Ms. Catherine Freeman on October 31, 2006 her last request was that the Food Pantry forever remains open. By establishing this endowment with the SFCCF, the Food Pantry will forever continue to assist feeding those that are in need and carry on a vision from God given to Ms. Freeman, in which, she shared with Ms. Delcenia Robinson, Mr. Edgar Borden and others.
Anyone wishing to contribute to this endowment should send their tax deductible donation to the SFCCFD, P. O. Box 3002, Forrest City, AR 72336.
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The Stuart Towns Outstanding Cross Country Award Endowment has been established by Mr. Towns. He graduated from Forrest City High School in 1957 where he was a state runner-up in cross country in 1956 and won the state mile championship in 1957. He then attended the University of Arkansas from 1957 to 1961 where he had been awarded a track and cross country scholarship. After graduating college he attended the University of Florida where he received his master's degree. He then started a military career in 1962. Part of his military service included being selected a member of the U.S. Modern Pentathlon Team in 1963 and 1964, and he participated in the 1964 Olympic Trials in three sports: modern pantathlon, fencing, and marathon running.
Stuart was selected a member of the Forrest City Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005 and in 2006 created an annual award for the Outstanding Cross Country Runner at Forrest City High School. This endowment will carry on his wishes forever! |
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The American Flag Endowment Fund is a community sponsored fund to establish funding so that an American Flag will forever fly outside Mustang Arena at Forrest City High School. The St. Francis County Community Foundation will match on a 1 for 2 basis all gifts made until funding is adequate to perpetually provide flags for the largest flagpole in our city. This flag displays the patriotic pride of our entire community!
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The Rudy Beede Scholarship Endowment has been established by many friends and his wife, Pat. The purpose of the endowment is to provide college scholarships to students pursuing a degree in Math. Mr. Beede taught math for over 25 years in Forrest City and during that time he wrote many articles and spoke at many national math conferences. In 1983 he was honored with the Presidential Award for Math.
He passed away June 2, 2006. Through this endowment, even in death, he will continue to be a very special part of many students' math careers.
Anyone wishing to contribute to this endowment should send their tax deductible donation to the St. Francis County Community Foundation, Post Office Box 3002, Forrest City, AR 72336-3002. |
The Lincoln Tiger Endowment was established by former athletes at Lincoln High School in Forrest City, Arkansas to make certain that the accomplishments of the Lincoln Tiger Athletic Teams are never forgotten. Once the fund reaches $10,000, grants will be made to support Forrest City student athletes and other deserving entities that qualify.
For more information on this, or any other endowment, please contact any board member with the St. Francis County Community Foundation or call Robin Jayroe (Executive Director) at (870)630-2400. |
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The Michelle Wilson Scholarship Endowment Fund was established by her family to continue the scholarship that has been given annually since her death. By establishing this permanent endowment with the St. Francis County Community Foundation Michelle's family knows the scholarship will forever keep her memories a very special part of our community.
Anyone wishing to contribute to this endowment should send their tax deductible donation to the St. Francis County Community Foundation, Post Office Box 3002, Forrest City, AR 72336-3002.
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The Johnny Poe"Flying High" Endowment has been established by his wife and children in dedication of all the wonderful memories of Johnny and his passion for flying. This endowment will provide support for the St. Francis County Master Gardners and/or provide scholarships for young people of our community interested in agriculture. Many of Johnny's family and friends have made contributions to establish this endowment. The Poe family recognizes that his death has effected many and would sincerely like to thank all who have made this possible during such a difficult time in their lives.
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Angel Soaring
You spent your life flying high above it all,
You were doing what you loved when God made the call.
Now your crop duster is made of silver and gold,
And close to our hearts your memory we hold.
You left this world way too soon for your family and friends,
But we promise here on earth your legacy will never end.
So fly high our soaring angel you've got your wings on high,
You're now flying with honors across heaven's sky.
In Memory of Johnny Poe
1953-2006
The Toys for Tots - SFC Elves, Inc. Endowment was established for the purpose of providing a permanent source of support for SFC Elves, Inc. An annual Toys for Tots project was sponsored for many years by Boy Scout Troops 122 and 202. The project is being continued by SFC Elves, Inc., a non-profit corporation, established to benefit needy children during the holiday season.
Anyone wishing to contribute to this endowment should send their tax deductible donation to the St. Francis County Community Foundation, Post Office Box 3002, Forrest City, AR 72336-3002.
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The David J. Cohn "Wishes" Endowment was announced October 1, 2005 at David's 50th Birthday Party. The party wasn't a surprise but the endowment was. David was speechless following the presentation! This endowment will give him a whole new meaning to "Blow out the candles and make a wish!" Every year, on his birthday, wishes will be granted to non-profits and ones less fortunate through the earnings on his endowment established on this very special day.
Happy Birthday "Wishes" from his wife, Marsha, and children, Perry, Hannah, Emily & Kelli, and many family and friends that made this possible! |
| The Nicole Bennett Scholarship Endowment was established by family and closest friends of Nicole to ensure her smiling face will always be a part of Forrest City High School. Each year a graduate of FCHS will receive a college scholarship on Class Night in memory of Nicole who was a 2004 graduate. Her "Face of Philanthropy" will be displayed at the school. In October 2005, donors gathered at Nicole's grave to mark the one year anniversary of her death and presented her family with a plaque inscribed with the names of all who made this endowment possible. Terry Astin, Nicole's mother, told the crowd "This was the hardest year of my life, and I know by you all doing this and being here today, that I haven't been alone." She thanked each one for being a part of keeping Nicole's smile alive and for all the calls and visits to her and her family during this past year. |
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The Coach Ed Henderson and Coach Jim Devazier Endowment was announced at the Forrest City High School Hall of Fame Banquet in the Fall of 2004. As a surprise, family members and former coaches and players established this endowment to show appreciation for all the years these two men gave of themselves to make a difference in the lives of so many. As an incentive to others, one donor has agreed to match any and all contributions to this endowment. These two donations will then be matched by the Walton Foundation's PARTNERS program. This is truly an excellent example of what this community foundation stands for!
For more information on this, or any other endowment, please contact any board member with the St. Francis County Community Foundation or call Robin Jayroe (Executive Director) at (870)630-2400. |
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Nicole Bennett Endowment for Special Olympics Arkansas, Area VIII was established in memory of Nicole Bennett who died as the result of an automobile accident in October 2004. Nicole's parents, Joey and Terry Astin, along with her little sister Claudia, and many family members and friends were on hand to announce the endowment. In a very emotional moment, Joey said "It's a family thing. Since 1985, I have been involved in Special Olympics, and since coming back to Forrest City, my entire family has been involved. Nicole has been a big part of that as well." He also gave sincere thanks to Special Olympics and his family and friends for remembering Nicole with this special endowment. Through this endowment Nicole will always be remembered as a vital part of our community. |
Donors to the St. Francis County Community Foundation's Founders Club were honored at a reception held March 18, 2003 at the Forrest City Country Club. Board Chairman Pat Flanagin recognized Chairman Elect Buddy Billingsley for what was truly a surprise announcement for a special honoree.
Buddy brought Founders Club member Gazzola Vaccaro, Jr. to the podium and shared with the attendees the birth of a new fund. The Gazzola Vaccaro, Jr. Museum Endowment that was established by family and friends of the honoree for the purpose of providing a permanent source of support for the museum. The presentation had special meaning for former County Judge Vaccaro who was instrumental in starting and developing the St. Francis County Museum during his tenure as the county's top executive. It also planted some seeds in the minds of others who may want to emulate the gesture with similar funds in the future for other beloved individuals.
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The Stevie Stevens Golf Endowment was established by family and friends in memory of Walter E. (Stevie) Stevens III. The purpose of this endowment is to support and promote junior golf charities and provide college scholarships to young people who have participated in a junior golf program for at least three years. The fund is dedicated to junior golf events that provide a comprehensive, competitive program which helps build character and sportsmanship in young golfers. The fund is committed to promoting the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships. |
| The Mary Gregg Loeb Animal Welfare Endowment was established to provide funding for the St. Francis County Area Humane Society. The fund will provide desperately needed funding for the Humane Society in its efforts to provide a clean, safe, sanitary environment for animals while they await adoption. Their goal is to someday have a no-kill shelter for the area. |
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The Cohn Family Endowment was established to provide funding for a variety of needs in the community. The fund serves as an example of how community foundations assist families in giving to their favorite causes. The fund continues to grow through the contributions of the Cohn family and their business, Forrest City Grocery Company. Local charities that have benefited from the fund include the Rolling Readers Program to buy books for all elementary libraries in the Forrest City School District and the St. Francis Catholic Church through a memorial gift made in memory of Mr. Robert (Bob) VanVranken. |
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The Ralph Thompson Endowment was established in October 2003 in memory of Mr. Ralph Thompson by his family and many friends. Mr. Thompson came to Forrest City as a high school coach and was involved with youth sports all his life. Funds from this endowment benefit the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes challenges coaches and athletes on the professional, college, high school, junior high and youth levels to use the powerful medium of athletics to impact the world for Jesus Christ. Fellowship of Christian Athletes is the largest interdenominational, school-based, Christian sports organization in America. It focuses on serving local communities by equipping, empowering and encouraging people to make a difference for Christ by encouraging Integrity, Serving, Teamwork and Excellence. |
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Forrest City Kiwanis Club Endowment fund was established in honor of the late Joe Gattinger. The fund will provide the Kiwanis Club of Forrest City with a permanent fund source. Each year the local Kiwanians will be able to direct proceeds from their endowment to charitable causes of their choice. Current projects include the Kiwanis Top 10% Senior Banquet and scholarships to local high school graduates. |
| The Lois Nimocks Beeson Library Endowment was established by her family and classmates in June of 2000. The fund is to be used to support operations of the Forrest City Public Library. The endowment will enable the library to continue growing and serving Forrest City residents and the surrounding area. It currently has 30,000 circulating materials, computers and Internet access, video and audio collections. Special features of the library include the Arkansas statistics, geographical information, newspaper clippings, and tourism information, all dedicated to our state's history. The Children's Room is where most of the activities for children such as Pre-School Story Time are held. There are also special computers just for kids. |
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The St. Francis County Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is an initiative of the Arkansas Community Foundation and the St. Francis County local affiliate and leads the state among its peers in fund development and grant making. YAC provides grant funds for projects that help teens solve problems such as lack of educational opportunities, child abuse, racial tension, teen pregnancy, violence and juvenile crime and drug/alcohol abuse. YAC provides young people personal experience in philanthropy and giving. YAC members will likely carry this practice into adulthood and become the community and philanthropic leaders of the future. They have provided grants to the Forrest City Jr. High Pride Committee, The AAU Basketball team, the Kiwanis Top 10% Senior Banquet, and the Gifted & Talented English Department of the Forrest City High School. Community service is a vital part of YAC, therefore members have also volunteered at events such as Rumble on the Ridge basketball tournament, the Career Expo, Toys for Tots toy distribution to the needy and at the St. Francis County museum.
Gideons International is a nondenominational organization of Evangelical Christian layman whose mission is to spread the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ by distributing copies of the scriptures throughout the entire world. Pat Flanagin joined the Forrest City Gideon Camp in 1977.
Twenty-five years later Pat was reminiscing about the local camp breakfast meetings when he first became a Gideon. The group of grown men sitting around the Ronald McDonald room on early Sunday mornings evoked a smile, a sadness, and an inspiration. The working and giving together had been joyful fellowship occasions. Yet, of the original group all but two are now deceased. Aware that his seat at the camp meetings would someday be empty as well, he still wanted his gifts to help spread God's word to go on forever. And, they will! That is the purpose of the Pat Flanagin Bible Fund. |
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The Forrest City Education Foundation was established in 1997. One of its first projects was to initiate a scholarship fund. The Forrest City Education Foundation Scholarship Endowment became an ARCF endowment through the local affiliate in 2001.
Income for the fund comes almost exclusively from volunteer payroll deductions of teachers and other school employees. Scholarships are granted annually to Forrest City High School graduates who are pursuing teaching degrees and will pledge to teach in the local schools, if offered a job upon graduation. Thus, one generation gives to help the next, to help the next. Four members of the local faculty were scholarship participants.
Students in the Forrest City School District have been the fortunate beneficiaries of grants to their educational program from the Forrest City Education Foundation since its inception in 1997. This has been especially helpful for the vast majority of students who come from homes with or at below poverty level income.
When Mr. Pat Flanagin was concurrently serving as the FCEF Administrator and as finance director for the school district, he approached school officials, FCEF members, and donors about the need for a fund to help pay expenses for students who could not otherwise afford to attend camps for extracurricular activities. Thus, in 2001, was born one of the first endowment funds of the St. Francis County Community Foundation. The Forrest City Education Foundation Student Assistance Endowment provides help for student activity needs beyond what the limited local school district resources can stretch.
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East Arkansas Community College Foundation coordinates fund raising efforts and management of funds on behalf of the College. The foundation's vision is to ensure that adequate resources are provided to benefit and advance East Arkansas Community College, and to encourage and assist its students, faculty and staff. They strive to build community awareness; provide scholarships and loans; assist with faculty development and real estate purchases; recognize outstanding educators, scholarship and leadership; and further the literacy, scientific, technical and educational purposes of EACC.
Their partnership with the Arkansas Community Foundation and the local St. Francis County Community Foundation has created an endowment to perpetually provide support for EACC Foundation efforts. Investment income is targeted for student assistance through scholarships, mentoring and cultural awareness.
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To establish a fund with us, please contact Robin Jayroe at stfccf@cablelynx.com.
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