June 28, 2021
The Community Giving Foundation: Selinsgrove is pleased to announce the addition of a scholarship fund to support Selinsgrove students pursuing a career in teaching. The Madelyn L. Whitmer Education Scholarship Fund was established by the Whitmer siblings to honor their dad’s wish for a scholarship dedicated to the memory of his wife.
John and Madelyn Whitmer were married in 1956 and settled their family in Shamokin Dam in 1971. Madelyn worked in the Selinsgrove School District administrative offices for many years. She loved spending time with her children, and then grandchildren, and especially enjoyed family vacations to Maine. She was an active member and volunteer at St. Pius X Catholic Church for more than 40 years.
“Our mom taught us to be caring, forgiving, generous, hard-working, and patient. It was important for our family to honor our dad’s wish for an education scholarship in mom’s memory. It is our hope that this fund will financially support students in mom’s name forever,” explained Carla Minori, the Whitmers’ daughter.
The Whitmer family was originally funding this scholarship from their parent’s trust each year. At their tax accountant’s suggestion, they moved the money from the trust to the Community Giving Foundation to receive tax benefits and administration support for the scholarship. In this way, the family can focus on the impact of the awards in memory of Madelyn, while the Foundation manages the details of the fund.
Bill Bucher, CPA explained, “I asked the Whitmer family, ‘who is going to manage the trust when you are gone?’ The solution to partner with the Foundation made perfect sense – it relieved the family of the administrative burden while allowing them to memorialize their mother’s legacy and fulfill their father’s wishes. The situation was a win-win for everyone involved.”
The Madelyn L. Whitmer Education Scholarship Fund awards scholarships to Selinsgrove Area High School graduating seniors pursuing a teaching career. Consideration is given to good students demonstrating a strong work ethic, financial need, and who has experience with community service.
You can tell your community giving story by giving to a fund at the Foundation. It’s a wonderful way to honor a person or business or carry on the memory of someone important to you. Leave your own legacy of giving at csgiving.org or call the Foundation at 570-752-3930. Selinsgrove is an affiliate of the Community Giving Foundation, which manages nearly 300 charitable funds and makes grant investments throughout the region to improve the quality of life in the Central Susquehanna area.