Saturday, November 26, 2011

HOPE Foundation Honors Founder with Endowment Fund

The first community grant from the Dr. Marlin D. Thompson Founder’s Fund was awarded to Darke County Schools for an adaptive tricycle for special needs students. These students in a Bradford classroom demonstrate the tricycle for Jean Young, chairman of the HOPE Foundation board of trustees.
When Dr. Marlin D. Thompson started the HOPE Foundation of Darke County in 1986, he scraped together $200 to offer HOPE’s first college scholarship. He organized a board of 20 trustees from across Darke County and set out on his mission: to improve the quality of life for Darke County residents through scholarships and grants to local non-profit organizations. So far this year, the HOPE (Helping Other People Excel) Foundation has awarded $77,000 in college scholarships and $52,000 in grants to non-profit organizations that provide valuable services to Darke County. The numbers continue to grow each year.

Dr. Marlin D. Thompson, who founded the HOPE Foundation of Darke County in 1986, died in April 2010. The foundation has established an endowment fund in Thompson’s honor that will be used for scholarships and community grants.
When Dr. Thompson died in April 2010, the HOPE board decided to honor its founder by establishing a fund in Dr. Thompson’s name. Any income was to be used for causes that were important to this extraordinary leader. After 15 months, the fund has raised over $35,000 from 280 contributions – a testament to the widespread influence Dr. Thompson had on those around him.

Thompson’s career as a teacher, superintendent of Ansonia Schools (1964-1977), superintendent of Darke County Schools (1980-1993), and community motivator has inspired many lives. Scores of friends and former colleagues donated to the fund out of respect for a champion of education who taught them the meaning of service.



“Marlin was a mentor, friend, and a positive influence for all of us who knew him,” said Fred Bernhard, HOPE board member and fund donor. “His compassion for our county youth was evident in his insistence that scholarships be made available for educating our graduates so they would provide a greater service to mankind. Marlin's vision leaves a legacy that will benefit our youth for generations to come,” Bernhard added.

The endowment creates a lasting tribute to Dr. Thompson, providing yearly scholarships and community grants that reflect the spirit of Dr. Thompson’s leadership and character. The first scholarship was awarded this year to Mark Barga, 2008 graduate of Ansonia High School and engineering student at the University of Dayton. The first community grant was awarded to Darke County Schools for an adaptive tricycle for special needs students.

The first scholarship from the Dr. Marlin D. Thompson Founder’s Fund was awarded to Mark Barga, 2008 graduate of Ansonia High School and student at the University of Dayton.
“We have a second grader with muscular dystrophy who has limited mobility,” said Lisa Giuffre, pupil services director for Darke County Educational Services Center. “The tricycle has given him easier access to the entire building, even the playground. Our goal is to keep him as mobile as possible without the use of a wheelchair. We also incorporate the trike into his occupational and physical therapy. It has been just wonderful,” Giuffre said.

The HOPE Foundation is deeply grateful to the individuals and businesses that made contributions to this fund that will honor Dr. Thompson forever. Anyone interested in donating to the fund may call 548-HOPE.

As Darke County’s community foundation, the HOPE Foundation receives, manages and distributes charitable gifts for the benefit of Darke County residents. For more information, call 548-HOPE or visit HOPE’s website at www.hopedarkecounty.com.


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