Greetings to the family and friends!
I’m writing to introduce you to the Ed & Irene Fleis Education Fund, and solicit you to aid in its growth
and help more students continue their education past high school.
A brief
history on the beginning of the fund…..
A savings
account in the memory of Irene Fleis (Mom), was opened with $ 56.00 in 1994 after a 50/50 drawing. Direct contributions,
50/50’s, and other fund raisers have helped it grow. My brother Larry suggested a polka dance fund raiser in 2002 and
as a result of its success, with the help of the four polka bands we raised almost $ 8,500.00 in a single day. When Ed Fleis
(Dad) joined Mom in heaven, we changed the name of the fund to what it is today. After almost two years of effort, in March
of 2005, the Fund is recognized by the IRS with the Employer Identification Number 20-0302442, as a charity and all contributions
made are tax deductible.
The management team…..
The
Ed & Irene Fleis Education Fund has 12 members on the board of directors. The officers are: Ted Fleis - President,
Ed Fleis - Vice President, Joan Gauthier - Secretary, and Larry Fleis, - Treasurer. All have graciously donated their time
and talent so the Fund operates without any overhead. In addition, an entertainment committee and a historical writing group
have been established.
The Ed & Irene Fleis Education Fund’s purpose…………..
The Ed & Irene Fleis Education Fund was created to increase the number of high school graduates to continue their
education at a university or trade school and achieve a degree. The student, to be eligible for assistance and/or aid must
have some family lineage connection to the past or present residents in Centerville or Solon Township in Leelanau County,
Michigan. Eligibiliy does not require residency, only a lineage connection.
In
2006 the fund distributed its first (4) $ 500.00 scholarships. The monies came from the interest earned from the
principal that is in the fund. Since we are recognized by the IRS as a charity, we use third parties to handle the
selection process. The Cedar Chamber of Commerce and Cedar-Maple City Lions Club alternate years and review
the applications and select the winners of the award.
Go to the questions and answers
section for more information about applying for a scholarship.
Each year the fund will
distribute 5% of its monies with the intent it will continue and grow forever. In 2008 ten
$500.00 scholarships and in 2009 eight $1,000.00 scholarships were granted.
Why is this important to us…………….
1. The
Fund was established in memory of our parents who raised 12 of us, (I know I was Mom‘s favorite), but yet gave to their
church and community. We remember them every time a check is written.
2. My wife and I have
given a lot of money to charities over the years and frankly I don’t know how much of that money was used for the purpose
intended, or was it gobbled up in salaries and overhead. Since the beginning, the money in the fund, with the exception
of food expenses at the annual fund raiser, has been spent on helping and motivating students. Even envelopes,
paper and stamps have been donated.
3. As time passes, your
support (mentoring or financial) will help your grand, great grand and great great grand children graduate.
An article in the Grand Rapids Press showed that a graduate from an university earns over $ 1,000,000.00 more
over his or her lifetime then a person with a high school education.
In another article, only
51% of the students that attend college actually graduate. By the time I retire, I will be in the work force for 46 years.
It make sense that the person that is just out of high school to continue his or her education before entering the work force.
How can you help……………
1. Identify students
that we can help through financial support or mentoring.
2. We need more mentors. We have about
a dozen volunteers to provide encouragement to stay in school and “get that degree”.
3.
You can make the Ed and Irene Fleis Education Fund your charity.
* We have a couple that has
selected the fund as their "charity" and sends us a check every couple of months..
* The estate of Ed & Irene Fleis' great grand daughter has donated over $ 30,000.00 so far.
* Earmark a small amount of money in your will to the fund.
4. Contact
us if you have any suggestions, ideas or questions.
Thanks for all the past support!!
Ted Fleis
President
