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Ben Smiles Memorial Foundation Makes Precious Smile

 

Elizabeth Gerlach meets with Precious and her mother, Evelyn.

Elizabeth Gerlach, the founder of the Ben Smiles Memorial Foundation, shared a blog post about her visit with a girl named Precious. Precious, diagnosed with spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy and epilepsy, is one of the first recipients of a toy from Ben’s Toy Closet, a program where children with different abilities can receive toys, switches or other devices that would enable them to play and learn.

The Ben Smiles Memorial Foundation was established within the Community Foundation by Rob & Elizabeth Gerlach in hopes of creating happiness and smiles for children with special needs, making important toys and tools accessible.

Thank you to Elizabeth and the Ben Smiles Memorial Foundation for the work they do to bring smiles to children’s faces!

Click here to read the full blog post. 

…you can always start small, even $25 can make a difference. Remember we can’t take our money with us. Even if it’s just your gift of time. Volunteer and get involved.

Cris Anderson

Cristina & Thomas S. Anderson Endowment Fund | Tom & Cris Anderson Colonial Advisory Fund

We chose the Community Foundation because of its reputation. It’s well known, established and we can trust them to do the job for us.

Dick Schindel

Richard and Susan Schindel Scholarship Funds

There’s no question in my mind that the scholarship I received opened up possibilities.

Marianne Renner

Past Scholarship Recipient & Current Leadership Coach

As a first-generation college student from a low-income family, I was worried about how I was going to pay for books and supplies. This scholarship will allow me to focus more on my studies instead of worrying about how to afford college. I am working to not only create opportunities for myself but to motivate future generations. Thank you so much for helping me along this journey!

Moises J.

Claude & Alice Allen Memorial Scholarship Recipient

Thank you very much for supporting my college education for these four years. I will never be able to repay you for the opportunity that this scholarship has given to me.

Julia H.

[Renewing Scholarship Recipient] Graduate of Hinkley-Big Rock High School

A community foundation is a donor-driven organization that helps donors custom-design funds that reflect their charitable interests. Through the years, grants from these funds have made a significant impact on our local communities.

Sharon Stredde

President Emeritus

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

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