Idea 23: Honor the Ones You Love

As we have been telling you on this blog, presents to others don’t always have to be wrapped with a pretty bow. Now is also a good time to give a gift to those who can no longer be with us this holiday season. Many First Place donors make gifts in honor of their friends and relatives to support our programs.

Earlier this year, we had a very special donation from Charles Palmer. Mr. Palmer had just lost his wife of many years, but before she died they decided to dedicate funds to remember her spirit as a teacher and someone to loved and cared for children. After looking at several organizations the Palmers chose First Place. After his wife’s death, Mr. Palmer made a gift to create the Lynn Palmer Scholarship Fund.

Many of the Palmers friends and relations made gifts (both large and small) to celebrate Lynn’s life. Mr. Palmer was surprised to get gifts from all over the country and some from people he never knew but knew his wife.

“I think making those donations helped Mr. Palmer in his grieving process, “ said Chris Cooper, First Place’s Director of Marketing and Development. “Losing someone you love is hard, but celebrating their life by making a gift is easy.”

Funds from the Lynn Palmer Scholarship Fund were used to pay teachers and instructional aides, provide supplies to classrooms and provide field excursion to help our children explore their world.

Thank you for all of your support of our programs thus far. And remember to check back for daily updates and ideas! If you have any questions about the Idea a Day postings, please email Melissa Collett, Marketing & Events Manager.