Our Charlestown Scholars’ Fund Campaign has begun and continues through April 30th. Steve Harders, our Residents’ Council President, sent an appeal to all residents to acknowledge an opportunity to invest in the futures of people you know personally, our dining servers and kitchen staff, while filling a great need in our society.

30 new candidates have been accepted into the Charlestown Scholarship Program for 2018, which is an increase from 23 students last year. They are wearing the new green aprons during their shifts that indicate they are scholar candidates and posters are on display throughout the community with their names and photos. Candidates also have the opportunity to apply for 8 additional scholarships through the special Named Scholarship Program that was explained by Pat Kasuda on page 3 of the March Sunburst,

Did you know that your family and friends outside of Charlestown are also welcome to donate to the campaign? 100% of the donation will go directly to the University for the student scholarships (not to the student) and is 100% tax-deductible as allowed by law. Cash, checks, resident charge, and credit cards ($25 credit card minimum) are accepted by the Philanthropy Office in Cross Creek, which will move temporarily to Harbor View in the beginning of April. American Express and MasterCard are now accepted forms of payment. Please be generous as our scholars work hard and appreciate our help! In addition to the 30 scholar candidates in 2018, the program also has 103 current students receiving scholarship dollars. In 2017 we provided scholarship checks for 131 students totaling more than $200,000 which is why we do a campaign annually.

If you have already donated, thank you very much, and please be our ambassadors by talking to your friends and neighbors in the hallways and during meal times about how important giving is in supporting our students’ educational pursuits. Our goal is to raise more than $174,000 which is what was raised in 2017. Donation collection boxes are located at all lobby front desks or you can call to use a credit card by phone.

Charlestown residents will celebrate the current class of graduating students with a graduation ceremony on May 17th in the Erickson Conference Center. The Special Named Scholarships, most of which have been endowed by residents, will also be awarded to students at this ceremony.

Any Scholars’ Fund questions may be directed to our Scholar Committee members: Michelle Chenoweth, Leigh Anne Cooper, Norma Goldberg, Roland Gray, Tony Hansen, Pat Kasuda, Mel Milio, Betty Ruff, Marie Skane, and Charlie Eichenlaub or to Lisa Zehring in the Philanthropy Office at 410-737-8838 x601-8397.

Charlie Eichenlaub
Scholar Committee

For further information and news, READ MORE about the Scholars’ Fund.

We are about to embark on another Scholarship Campaign to recognize staff members seeking to enter or continue pursuing educational career goals.  Residents are encouraged to consider Named (special) scholarships to assist with this campaign.

Here is an example of what the Virginia Niccolai family did to honor her.  When former resident, Virginia Niccolai, moved from Pennsylvania to Charlestown, she immediately continued her passion for education.  As an artist, she got involved with teaching art classes and volunteered to assist with registration for classes at CCBC.  Upon her death, family members felt no better way to honor her and the teaching career than to continue her legacy through the establishment of a scholarship in her name.  Annually, a contribution is made to the Student Scholarship Program encouraging young men and women to pursue a degree in education.

This is just one example of a scholarship legacy keeping memories alive.    Named (special) scholarships can be established for general education or designating a particular career path.  The following are examples of such legacy memorials.

In 2005 Marth Yeager sought to honor her brother, Andrew Murray Meyers. This memorial scholarship recognizes a man of integrity always seeking opportunities to assist others.  Ms. Yeager hoped in honoring her brother she could encourage scholar recipients to live with his values of honesty and integrity.  He is remembered as a quiet man, never seeking recognition, but volunteering for the joy of providing service to others.

The Ruth Harden Inglis Scholarship Award originated with a contribution to the campaign for the specific purpose of encouraging applicants to pursue a degree in teaching.

Special scholarships need not be memorials but can also be established as a living tribute for  friends and/or family members.  Imagine, what a delight a family member or special friend would have meeting a scholar, who will be benefitting from such generous giving.

The residents of Charlestown are very fortunate to have the opportunity to meet and mentor young folks, who work for us daily to make our home a wonderful place to live.  Encouraging them to enhance their education is a privilege that should be pursued at every opportunity.  If you are interested in learning more about the establishment of a Named (special) scholarship, please contact the Philanthropy Office and discuss options with the Director, Patti Santoni.

For further information and news, READ MORE about the Scholars’ Fund.