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Video Histories

The Community Foundation created a series of videos celebrating the lives of some of our endowment fund donors. By creating these pieces, we recognize their valuable contributions to the Fox River Valley and seek to preserve their family histories for future generations. We hope you enjoy these snapshots of history!

Aurora, Illinois Industry in the 20th Century
Part I : Construction Equipment Industry

Aurora, Illinois Industry in the 20th Century
Part II : Factory and Office Equipment Industries

To support our ability to continue producing historic videos, visit the Community Foundation Historic Video Project Fund

Aurora Police Department

Learn more about the Aurora Police Department Endowment Fund

Bernard J. Cigrand

Learn more about the Dr. Bernard J. Cigrand Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

Learn more about the funds created by the Community Foundation

Walter E. Deuchler

Learn more about the Walter E. Deuchler Scholarship Endowment Fund

The Dunham Family

Learn more about the John S. Dunham Endowment Fund

Fox Valley Orchestra

Learn more about the Fox Valley Orchestra Endowment Fund

Howard E. Gillette

Learn more about the Howard E. Gillette Scholarship Endowment Fund

Virgil L. Gilman

To make a donation in memory of Virgil L. Gilman, visit the Community Foundation Memorial Endowment Fund

Hermann and Rita Golter

Learn more about the Hermann & Rita Golter Scholarship Fund

William B. Greene

Learn more about the Greene Family Forest Preserve Endowment Fund

Hipp Family

Learn more about the Urban & Margaret Hipp Family Endowment Fund

Eleanor C. Hungar

Learn about other influential West Aurora educators by reading A History of West Aurora School District 129

Juvenile Protective Association

To support our ability to continue producing historic videos, visit the Community Foundation Historic Video Project Fund

Kiwanis Club of Aurora, Illinois

Learn more about the Kiwanis Club of Aurora, Illinois Endowment Fund

Don & Marie Marzuki

Learn more about the Don & Marie Marzuki Family Foundation

Leon M. McNair

New England Congregational Church

Learn more about the New England Congregational Church Designated Endowment Fund

Paramount Theatre

Learn more about the Paramount Arts Centre Endowment Fund

Charlotte T. Reid

Learn more about the Charlotte T. Reid Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund

Edna M. Rollins

Learn more about the Edna M. Rollins Endowment Fund

The Story of St. Charles Part I: A Country Town

The Story of St. Charles Part II: Building A City

The Story of St. Charles Part III: The Gates-Baker-Norris Era

The Story of St. Charles Part IV: Education

The Story of St. Charles Part V: Leisure, Recreation and Parks

Ruth Wagner

Learn more about the Armbruster-Dieterich-Wagner Family Scholarship Endowment Fund

West Aurora Schools

Learn more about the A+ Foundation for West Aurora Schools Funds.

Judith Ann Whinfrey

Learn more about the Judy Whinfrey Memorial Nursing Scholarship Fund

Marian Winteringham

Learn more about the Winteringham Family Permanent Endowment Fund

Woman’s Club of Aurora

Learn more about the Woman’s Club of Aurora Advisory Endowment Fund

Grant funds from the Community Foundation helped provide updated technology. These upgrades were transformative. By creating new time saving processes, it turned us into a more efficient organization.

Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry

Grantee

YEP was a great experience to have in high school. I became a more confident person, someone with a lot more perspective. Coming from a small school, YEP allowed me to branch out into my community, meet students from other schools, and learn about their backgrounds. I made some great friends and still keep in touch with them today.

Abby Vagnoni

YEP Alumni

Give your gift of time and see what it means to the people you impact. Helping others is what life is all about.

Neal Ormond

Donor & Fund Advisor

I am incredibly grateful for the generosity of the Zari Foundation Scholarship and the Community Foundation in supporting my education. I am majoring in mechanical engineering with a concentration in aerospace engineering at the Rose-Hulman Institue of Technology. In my spare time, I volunteer on campus, in the community and I’m also the principal violist in the symphony orchestra. I hope to make an impact on the next chapter of space exploration by eventually working at a groundbreaking aerospace company such as SpaceX or NASA.

Taytum Newell

Albert M. Zari Scholarship Recipient

YEP has made me realize the importance of being involved in my community, and how to make a difference. There are a lot of problems in the world but if we can do everything that we can to help the world will become a better place. YEP has helped me realize this and encouraged me to help more people in the future.

Madi Porter

YEP Member

Education is important to us. We support causes that touch our lives and align with our values. We believe in paying it forward. We are here for a short time,, and it is the next generation that will take on what we leave behind.

Michelle Emanuel

Donor and Past Scholarship Recipient

Being a part of the Community Foundation scholarship committee is the highlight of my year. For many, a scholarship from the CFFRV is the reason they are able to continue reaching for their dreams and changing the future of our world. I hope each recipients knows just how inspirational they are to those of us who are lucky enough to read their stories.

Jessica Breugelmans

Scholarship Committee Member and Board Member

Grant funds from the Community Foundation helped provide updated technology. These upgrades were transformative. By creating new time saving processes, it turned us into a more efficient organization.

Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry

Grantee

YEP was a great experience to have in high school. I became a more confident person, someone with a lot more perspective. Coming from a small school, YEP allowed me to branch out into my community, meet students from other schools, and learn about their backgrounds. I made some great friends and still keep in touch with them today.

Abby Vagnoni

YEP Alumni

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