‘Rotary Bursary Endowment Fund’ Grows Thanks to John Vail Family

John Vail Family Donates To Rotary Bursary Endowment Fund
The Rotary Bursary Endowment Fund is $25,000 richer
News Jun 12, 2017 Gravenhurst Banner

GRAVENHURST — At a very appropriate time the Rotary Bursary Endowment Fund has received a sizeable donation from John Vail and family toward helping students planning to advance their education.

Vail donated $25,000 to a fund that has grown from seed money contributed by the Rotary Club of Gravenhurst in 2009 to a fund with investment returns of $55,000.00 for student bursaries this year.

Last year 24 Gravenhurst graduates were assisted and more than 30 local students may receive bursary awards this year.

Richard Augustine, treasurer of the fund said, ‘Through the generosity of the Rotary Club, Gravenhurst area residents and estates who have created their own Family Bursaries within the fund, it has grown more than 2,800 per cent since its inception.

The family bursaries vary in size and all qualifying students will receive a minimum of $1,000 and some considerably more.

A wine and cheese event will bring some of the students and the donors together at the Discovery Centre (formerly Grace and Spee.) on June 22 at 3 p.m. This will be the first time many of the donors meet each other in addition to learning how their investment in the students is paying dividends.

Ken Little, chairman of the fund, noted ‘Students from our community have been attending colleges and universities throughout the province and this year the fund expects students receiving help from the generous people of town to be attending every university and most colleges across Ontario. The community should feel proud of their involvement in the success of our children. We are slowly changing the perceptions of some lower income families and changing the educational expectations of their children by providing financial opportunities right here in town. We want children and families to know it takes a community to raise a child and this community is behind you.”

Bursaries are available to students going to school in Gravenhurst or who live in Gravenhurst and may be attending school elsewhere. Ken Little, chairman of the fund, noted “students or parents can see if they qualify by going to www.bursaryfund.ca and then submit an application by June 30. We don’t ask for school marks, we only want to know they need financial help!”

Apply to Rotary Bursary Endowment Fund, Box 888, Gravenhurst, Ontario. P1P 1V2.
(Rotary Club note: John Vail donated $12,500.00 which was matched by an anonymous donor. John Vail also donated $12,500.00 the previous year and it too was matched.)