A new permanent endowment, the Second Chance Scholarship for Women, is being built by the Woman’s Club of Beckley at the Beckley Area Foundation.
The generosity of area citizens continues to benefit our community in a variety of ways. Nearly two years ago, a student from New River Community and Technical College was invited to speak to the members of the Woman’s Club of Beckley. They were moved by her message emphasizing the value of having accessible, affordable education opportunities available for women who seek skills that will enhance employment opportunities and their ability to care for themselves and their families.
Our local Woman’s Club has a long history of supporting women’s issues and helping the community. The club is the oldest civic organization in Beckley, doing volunteer work in the arts, conservation, education, home life, international affairs and public affairs. They are affiliated with the General Federation of Women’s Club headquartered in Washington, D.C.
In the field of education, the club helped with the “Dollars for Scholars” solicitation and similar efforts to provide scholarship assistance for graduating high school seniors to attend college. Noting changing community needs, the club now recognizes that older “alternative” students, particularly women, are seeking means to begin or complete post-high school education programs in an effort to improve their employment options. It was decided to use the funds raised at the club’s ice cream social for a scholarship to help such a student.
Newspaper coverage regarding their guest speaker and the decision to provide a scholarship appealed to a reader who then contacted the Beckley Area Foundation and offered a $5,000 anonymous gift so the Woman’s Club of Beckley could establish a permanent scholarship endowment. The club accepted the offer, signed a trust agreement and supplemented the initial gift.
Recipients of this scholarship must be women residing in Raleigh County and pursuing higher education so as to prepare themselves for employment or advancement in their current employment. Selection of the recipients shall be made by a committee made up of representatives of the Woman’s Club and the scholarship committee of the New River Community and Technical College Foundation. Once the permanent endowment reaches the required minimum of $10,000, the income generated will be used for an annual scholarship award.
“This is a very special scholarship because it truly demonstrates the concept of ‘giving back.’ It provides the opportunity for successful women in the Woman’s Club of Beckley to sponsor, through a scholarship fund, women who want to attend college and who have financial hurdles that are barriers to their attendance,” commented Ted. D. Spring, Ph.D., president of New River Community and Technical College. “This scholarship, intended to help change lives, will do just that. Thank you to all who have made this scholarship possible.”
Anyone may make additional contributions in any amount to this scholarship fund. Donors need not be members of the Woman’s Club. Make checks payable to BAF-Second Chance Scholarship Fund and mail to Beckley Area Foundation, 129 Main St., Suite 203, Beckley, WV 25801.
Memorial gifts and donations honoring a birthday or other special event are welcomed to this fund or to The Woman’s Club of the City of Beckley Fund established at BAF in 1999 to generate income to help with maintenance and insurance expenses of the clubhouse. NIP West Virginia State tax credits may be available in August for donations of $500 or more.
Contact BAF at 304-253-3806 or susan@ bafwv.org if you have questions.
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Related Photos
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The Woman’s Club of Beckley is starting a scholarship with the Beckley Area Foundation. From left are Linda Polly and Rachel Hopkins with BAF, Karen Faulk and Sheri Jones with the Woman’s Club, and Allen Withers with New River Community and Technical College. F. Brian Ferguson
Woman’s Club to offer Second Chance Scholarship
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