SHS Class of 1972 targets school sign

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A new fund at the Community Foundation of Jackson County aims to shine a spotlight on Seymour High School.

Members of the Seymour High School Class of 1972 – quickly closing in on their 50th anniversary this summer – recently established the SHS Class of 1972 Fund to accept donations from fellow classmates and graduates.

“As we will always remember those who have gone before us, this year’s Golden Anniversary will be a special time to rekindle old friendships and remembrances of coming of age in the official ‘Small Town’ and get together with friends who maybe haven’t seen each other in person for a while because of the pandemic,” said Class of ’72 member Alice Scott Laskowski, who now calls Bloomington home.

“As teachers, doctors, lawyers, business owners and more, the SHS Class of 1972 has made a positive impact to our nation and community,” said Laskowski, who along with her husband John, recently opened a Culver’s restaurant in Seymour. “As a class, we would like to give back to the school that helped establish a base for the success that we have enjoyed in our lives.”

She and fellow classmates Mary Thoele Winburn, Cindy Voss Ruddick, Mary Abel Sullivan, Terry Sweasy, Mike Thias, Jan Daulton Carl and Joe Roberts are encouraging members of the Class of 1972 to give back to the school through a class donation.

They are working with Principal Greg Prange (SHS Class of 1979) and Superintendent Brandon Harpe to determine a need that classmates’ donations might fund. They are focused on an animated, electronic sign to be erected on the campus at Second Street and Community Drive. Any donations beyond meeting that cost may be distributed to the school’s existing endowments at the foundation or to perhaps used to create a scholarship fund, Laskowski said.

The goal is to raise $50,000. Classmates – and their teachers — 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 “SHS Class of 1972 Fund” in the memo. Mail it to the foundation at P.O. Box 1231, Seymour, IN 47274, or drop it by the foundation office at 107 Community Drive, across from Seymour High School.

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 1972 Fund.

Donors can also make a gift of stock by contacting the foundation.

Laskowski is urging classmates to participate, setting up levels of participation and recognition.

“We want everyone in our class to say they were part of this gift, no matter what level they give, Class of 1972 member Mary Winburn added.

Gifts of $19.72 and greater puts donors into the 1972 Club. Cumulative giving of $197.20 makes you a member of the Owl Club. Cumulative giving of $972 earns Go BIG Purple recognition, and giving of up to $1,972 or more earns The Last Exit level, Laskowski said. The Last Exit is the theme of the class’ 50th reunion.

The SHS Class of 1972 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 1972 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.

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