Greetings Fellow Senators,
It gives me great pleasure to be able to tell you about our Florida JCI Senate Foundation. Over twenty-five years ago, our Senate made the decision to participate in the USJCI Senate Foundation Scholarship Program. We have received hundreds of applications from Florida High School Seniors for scholarships and submitted two for National consideration each year.
Several Senators came together and decided to create an IRS 501(C) (3) Charitable Foundation for the purpose of providing scholarships to Florida High School Seniors.
The thought process was to be able to raise enough capital so that scholarship awards would be generated out of the interest earned, while the capital remained untouched. This would create the perpetuity of the program. The capital would be created from members of our Senate family through generous donations.
At the end of five years a single scholarship of $500.00 was given out due to the generosity of Senate donations towards the initial investment. Since that initial award our Foundation has grown exponentially. Due to your continued generosity, we currently have the ability to offer $1000.00 scholarships to Florida High School Seniors because of your continued support, generous giving and being vested in the future of the young adults moving toward tomorrow.
For the most part the scholarships are based on merit:
- Richard Harrow Scholarship- based on needs and merit
Cactus Jack Sewell Scholarship- based on merit and a senior seeking a degree in the Criminal Justice Field (which is a wide field)
Lakeland Jaycees Scholarship- based on merit for a Polk County Senior
Florida Jaycees/Jaycettes Scholarship as well as other unnamed Scholarship are based on merit for Florida High School Seniors
Doug White Memorial Scholarship – based on merit and needs
Okeechobee County Contractors Scholarship- based on merit and the field of construction
Florida Foundation Scholarship- based on merit
VO-Tech Scholarship- based on merit and a Vo-Tech field
Remonda Victoria Highfield Scholarship- based on merit and entering the medical field in any capacity
The continued success of our Foundation depends on your support and investments If you are currently a member, I want to thank you for continuing to be a part of the future. If you are not currently a member, I would invite you to become one to help secure our future of our young adults beginning their lives in a positive way.
Your unselfish donations, while given from the heart, are a win for you in that they are tax deductible. You do not have to wait until our next meeting to contribute, you can send a donation to our Treasurer, Ken Clements, 3644 NE 33rd Ter. Gainesville, Fl. 32605.
I am looking forward to seeing you at our next meeting.
Kay Elliott, #61747
President Florida JCI Senate Foundation