(731) 423-8101
(800) 304-1015
277-5155
NEWSTALK1015FM
(731) 423-8101
(800) 304-1015
277-5155
NEWSTALK1015FM
(731) 423-8101
(800) 304-1015
277-5155
NEWSTALK1015FM
CURRENT SHOW
02:00 pm – 04:00 pm
JACKSON, Tennessee – Leaders Education Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)3, hosted its fifth Annual Meeting on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, and awarded $57,490 for collegiate scholarships and to community programs throughout West Tennessee.
“It has been my honor and privilege to serve with this volunteer Board of Directors to oversee the Foundation’s operations and to partner with the Foundation’s management to ensure our mission of ‘Making Lives Better, Together’ is fulfilled,’” said Ron Hill, Leaders Education Foundation Board Chair.
According to a press release from Amy Lovins – marketing & public relations specialist – Leaders Education Foundation is continuing its five-year commitment to The READ Team, a program of United Way of West Tennessee.
At the 2024 Annual Meeting, Leaders Education Foundation presented a $20,000 check to help continue its mission. The READ Team allows volunteers to partner with students during school hours and under school staff supervision to assist students with reading initiatives weekly.
The READ team also manages Words on Wheels, or what is better known as the WOW Wagon, where they take books into various neighborhoods. The commitment and money donated by Leaders Education Foundation covers the cost of materials and resources needed in the schools and with training initiatives for the volunteers. It also helps expand the program throughout West Tennessee.
Through a month-long book drive, the Foundation was able to donate over 3,300 books to help fill the WOW Wagon.
An additional $12,490 was collectively donated to local chapters of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The Imagination Library provides one book each month to a child from birth to age five. Leaders Education Foundation joined five Imagination Library Chapters in Crockett, Gibson, Hardeman, Haywood, and Madison Counties to Give Forward through an “Imagine the Possibilities” campaign. With the campaign, the goal was to raise awareness of the Foundation through new members while financially supporting the participating Imagination Libraries.
Leaders then awarded $25,000 in scholarships of varying amounts for high school seniors attending a college or university. Leaders Education Foundation received 130 applications for these scholarships. For the Financial Wellness Video Scholarship, there were nine submissions that were viewed over 20,000 times and reached over 35,000 people.
Scholarship winners include:
“Fulfilling the mission of the Leaders Education Foundation is a heartfelt endeavor, one that relies on the collective effort of a dedicated community,” said Leigh Anne Bentley, President of the Foundation. “I am deeply grateful for the collaborative spirit of our volunteer board of directors and staff, who tirelessly strive to enhance education opportunities, services, and resources for all. Together, we are affecting meaningful change, empowered by the generous support of our sponsors, members, and donors.”
To start the meeting, Arlington Elementary students performed the National Anthem and lead the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. The Annual Meeting also covered approval of the 2024 Annual Meeting minutes, the Board Chairman’s Report, the President’s Report, the Nominating Committee Report, and closing remarks.
The leadership of the Leaders Education Foundation is comprised of a volunteer Board of Directors and staff donating their time, talent, and treasures. The board of directors consists of: Ron Hill, Eddie Hays, Mary Lou Adams, Yvette Blue, Eddie Mae Pirtle, Karen Taylor, Stephanie Riley, Greg Hammond, and Stan Sanders.
For more information regarding Leaders Education Foundation or to view their 2023 Annual Report, please visit leadersgives.org.
About Leaders Education Foundation
Leaders Education Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization established in 2019 and based in Jackson, Tenn. The Foundation allows community-minded citizens, members, and organizations to unite to make lives better together. It invests back into its community through scholarships, grants, and additional resources that provide educational opportunities and promote workforce development, lifelong learning, and training for students, teachers, and its community. For more information about Leaders Education Foundation or to become a member and Give Forward, please visit leadersgives.org.
(PHOTO: Leaders Education Foundation awarded $25,000 in scholarships were awarded to graduating high school seniors from across West Tennessee. Pictured front row (L to R) are Abby Groom, Katharine Larkins, Judson Beaver, Layton Brooks, and Briana Banes. Pictured back row (L to R) are Keylee Harvill, Katherine Robison, Josie Halford, Maleah Burke, Danielle Rogers, Avery Holloway, Ella Palmer, Madelynn Malone, and Nora Kendall)
(PHOTO: Several of the Leaders Education Foundation’s leadership team attended the Annual Meeting. Pictured left to right are Assistant Treasurer, Taylor Risley, Vice President, Leigh O’Neill, Vice Chair & Secretary, Eddie Hayes, Board Chair, Ron Hill, Board Member, Yvette Blue, Board Member, Stan Sanders, Treasurer, Karen Taylor, President, Leigh Anne Bentley, and Director of Community Impact, Shea Brown)
