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Scholarship Volunteer Spotlight: Dorothy Heckle

What brought you to the Fox River Valley?

Having grown up in Geneva and being able to see other parts of the world through my career and travels, my husband and I felt there is no better place than Batavia to call home. There is an abundance of small town simple pleasures to enjoy with the hustle and culture of the big city nearby.

You have a professional background in marketing. How long have you been in that space?

I have been in marketing my entire career and the last 20 years have been very rewarding. I have grown professionally, learning the ropes of brand development and innovation working at consumer packaged goods companies. More recently, I have been leading marketing teams at domestic manufacturers looking to diversify and grow.

How long have you been a CFFRV Scholarship Committee member?

I’ve been a Committee member since 2016.

What made you decide to join the CFFRV Scholarship Committee?

I was compelled to join after meeting with Board member, Scholarship Committee leader and friend, Austin Dempsey. We talked about how the Community Foundation, through this committee, makes a tremendous impact in the lives of families right here in the Fox Valley. These local efforts are changing people’s lives and giving them a springboard to reach their dreams.

What has been the most rewarding part of being a CFFRV Scholarship Committee member?

The most rewarding thing about this committee is that as a team, we work extremely hard, poring through hundreds of candidates to truly find the best fit for each scholarship. We do so to uphold the requirements of each gift, the way it was intended. Many times, we go beyond just good grades, class load or extra-curricular when considering the scholarship awards. The dynamic student stories of triumph, overcoming adversity, taking charge of their education in spite of obstacles is humbling to witness.

It’s rewarding to get to the finish line knowing we have gifted over $1.7 million [in 2020] to qualified and deserving students.

What do you think other people should know about the CFFRV Scholarship Program, or CFFRV in general?

The CFFRV Scholarship Program is rich in history and goodwill, and represents many family legacies in the Fox Valley. The nature of the program provides a way for those that have contributed and built our communities to help future generations make a positive impact in the world.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

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