When the COVID-19 pandemic struck last year amid plans for the Seymour High School Class of 1970’s 50th reunion, plans screeched to a halt.
Now, the SHS Class of 1970 is moving forward with plans for a 50 plus 1 reunion set for July 30-31 in Seymour.
Part of those plans include continuing to raise money with gifts going to the SHS Class of 1970 Fund at the Community Foundation of Jackson County. Those gifts aim to tackle a need at Seymour High School — boosting the new Ag Science & Research Farm at Freeman Field.
Working with SHS Principal Greg Prange, Class of 1970 President Dan Deputy and his classmates have targeted purchasing needed equipment to outfit the new facility.
“He confirmed that if the program can be strengthened, other county high schools will begin sending their ag students to the center, too,” Deputy said. “The school has also partnered with Ivy Tech Community College to offer an associate’s degree in agriculture for night school students. To date, we have collected more than $8,400 from 20 donors, including 5 ‘Go Big Purple’ members, 4 ‘Owl’ members and 3 ‘1970’ members. As you make your yearly charitable donation decisions, please keep our class fund in mind. We have big plans to make our donation the largest ever given by a graduating class but we need your help.”
Deputy said his only regret is that the Class of 1970 should have partnered with the Foundation years ago. “We’ve found it’s a great opportunity to encourage classmates to give back with collective gifts through the Foundation to benefit Seymour High School,” he said. “We hope to keep this fund going and would encourage or challenge other classes to do something similar.”
Deputy hopes to see all of the fund’s donors who are available attend at halftime of the 2021 homecoming football game to present the check to the school.
“As we will always remember those who have gone before us, this year’s Golden Anniversary or 50+1 reunion will be a special time to rekindle old friendships and remembrances of coming of age in the official ‘Small Town, USA,’” said Deputy, who now calls Virginia home.
“Mothers, fathers, doctors, lawyers, tradesmen, military, entrepreneurs — and even a pretty good Rock ’n Roll singer — the SHS Class of 1970 has made a positive impact to our nation and community’s growth, safety and well-being,” he added.
Deputy and fellow classmates such as Chuck Brackemyre, Gary Myers, Jane Nowling, Jana Plump, Gerri Nicholson Smith, Debbi Comstock, Margaret Nierman, Teresa Thias and Nancy Terkhorn are encouraging members of the Class of 1970 to give back to the school that helped shape and prepare them for life as an adult.
Classmates interested in participating may do so in one of two ways.
They can write a check to the Community Foundation of Jackson County and include “Class of 1970 Fund” in the memo. Mail it to the Foundation at Post Office Box 1231, Seymour, IN 47274, or drop it by the Foundation office at 107 Community Drive, right across from SHS.
Or they can go online to the Foundation’s website at www.cfjacksoncounty.org. Hit the Donate Now tab. Enter your donation amount and follow the credit card instructions or the PayPal instructions if you have a PayPal account and wish to use it. Donors are asked to send a follow-up email to [email protected] stating your name and informing us that your contribution is to be credited to the SHS Class of 1970 Fund.
Deputy is urging classmates to participate, setting up levels of participation and recognition.
“The Donor Club allows a classmate to take pride in contributing a gift at any amount,” he said. “Cumulative giving of $197 — as in 1970 — makes you a member of the 1970 Club. Cumulative giving of $500 earns Owl Club recognition, and Go Big Purple is for those who can contribute $1,000 or more.”
The SHS Class of 1970 Fund is one of more than 200 funds administered by the Foundation. They include community funds that benefit our Fall Grant cycle and Impact Grants, designated funds that benefit an array of charitable organizations, scholarship funds and donor-advised funds. If you would like to discuss starting your own fund or making a gift to the SHS Class of 1970 Fund or any of the funds making a difference in Jackson County, give us a call or stop in for a visit.
The staff can help you determine how your gifts can best meet your giving goals and your desire to give back to the community.
Dan Davis is president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Jackson County, 107 Community Drive, Seymour, IN 47274. For information about donating to the foundation, call 812-523-4483 or send an email to [email protected]. Send comments to [email protected].