Ellicott Memorial Scholarship Fund
Donation protected
In honor and memory of our beloved mother, Robin Adela Ellicott (1961-2017), and father Charles Hicks Ellicott IV (1952-2015), my sister and I are establishing a memorial scholarship trust for high school graduates of Franklin County, Maine in benefit of underserved students. The ambition of the fund is to create a self-sustaining annual scholarship in remembrance of their legacy of civic engagement and care for the community.
Robin and Charles gave their love openly, honestly and freely to those in need. My mother dedicated her life to caring for others, working with the intellectually disabled, in nursing homes, as a traveling nurse, and as a hospice provider to many families throughout the community. My father worked for a handful of local construction companies before starting his own small business, served his country in the Navy, was an avid sportsman, and gave back to the community as a Scout Master, and volunteer for the Phillips Chamber of Commerce. Together, our parents took in other children from the community in moments of need -- in some cases for years at a time -- and later in life after my father passed, Robin opened her heart and home to a foster child for whom she had much pride.
While taking care of the entire community and suffering through many of their own hardships in life, our parents loved us fiercely and unconditionally. Growing up gay in a small town brought much adversity to our young lives, made easier by the immediate and total acceptance of our parents. Mom was so eager to announce how happy she was to have "two gay children," with a wide grin. This happy home set a foundation for us to achieve so much in our lives. Unlike so many gay youth, we did not fall into depresssion, we were not abandoned, we did not spend a day feeling unloved or unsafe. We went forth, we worked hard, we learned to accept ourselves, and blossomed under the rays of their love.
Our lives were enriched by opportunity created through education which our parents stressed. For Kimberly, attending vocational programs in high school brought forth her interest in the culinary arts, which has since developed into a successful career as an international chef. For Stanley, attending college and graduate school opened many doors. Kim and I agreed that a scholarship to help aspiring youth would honor Robin and Charles' love and commitment to us, and create an everlasting legacy of generosity.
The loss of these two happy and vibrant souls has brough much heartache and pain. But in these dark times of grief, we strive to continue on as Robin and Charles would have -- through selflesssness, unconditional love, and humor.
Robin and Charles left behind few assets, and final expenses have been absorbed by the family. Therefore we are counting on our community -- so many of whom have been blessed and touched by their gifts of friendship, love and humor -- help us build this fund and honor their legacy. No donation is too small.
PROGRAM GOALS:
1. SUSTINABLE, LONG-TERM FUNDING
We seek to establish initial funding of $15,000 and continue growing the trust through community grants and donations, personal contributions and gifts. An investment management plan will create a self-sustaining fund that can reward minimum annual scholarships of $1,000 with this base level of funding.
2. FLEXIBLE USE OF SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
Unlike other scholarship programs, the program will allow use of funds for books, room and board, and other educational expenses rather than tuition, exclusively, which can crowd out other forms of institutional support.
3. INDEPENDENT OVERSIGHT
Once the program guidelines and criteria have matured, the funds will be administered by a charitable 501(c)3 organization to allow for independent oversight and future tax-deductible donations.
TIMELINE:
- Establish initial funding by July 31, 2017
- Establish criteria, eligibility requirements, and selection guidelines: Fall 2017
- Award first scholarship to the graduating class of 2018
Robin and Charles gave their love openly, honestly and freely to those in need. My mother dedicated her life to caring for others, working with the intellectually disabled, in nursing homes, as a traveling nurse, and as a hospice provider to many families throughout the community. My father worked for a handful of local construction companies before starting his own small business, served his country in the Navy, was an avid sportsman, and gave back to the community as a Scout Master, and volunteer for the Phillips Chamber of Commerce. Together, our parents took in other children from the community in moments of need -- in some cases for years at a time -- and later in life after my father passed, Robin opened her heart and home to a foster child for whom she had much pride.
While taking care of the entire community and suffering through many of their own hardships in life, our parents loved us fiercely and unconditionally. Growing up gay in a small town brought much adversity to our young lives, made easier by the immediate and total acceptance of our parents. Mom was so eager to announce how happy she was to have "two gay children," with a wide grin. This happy home set a foundation for us to achieve so much in our lives. Unlike so many gay youth, we did not fall into depresssion, we were not abandoned, we did not spend a day feeling unloved or unsafe. We went forth, we worked hard, we learned to accept ourselves, and blossomed under the rays of their love.
Our lives were enriched by opportunity created through education which our parents stressed. For Kimberly, attending vocational programs in high school brought forth her interest in the culinary arts, which has since developed into a successful career as an international chef. For Stanley, attending college and graduate school opened many doors. Kim and I agreed that a scholarship to help aspiring youth would honor Robin and Charles' love and commitment to us, and create an everlasting legacy of generosity.
The loss of these two happy and vibrant souls has brough much heartache and pain. But in these dark times of grief, we strive to continue on as Robin and Charles would have -- through selflesssness, unconditional love, and humor.
Robin and Charles left behind few assets, and final expenses have been absorbed by the family. Therefore we are counting on our community -- so many of whom have been blessed and touched by their gifts of friendship, love and humor -- help us build this fund and honor their legacy. No donation is too small.
PROGRAM GOALS:
1. SUSTINABLE, LONG-TERM FUNDING
We seek to establish initial funding of $15,000 and continue growing the trust through community grants and donations, personal contributions and gifts. An investment management plan will create a self-sustaining fund that can reward minimum annual scholarships of $1,000 with this base level of funding.
2. FLEXIBLE USE OF SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
Unlike other scholarship programs, the program will allow use of funds for books, room and board, and other educational expenses rather than tuition, exclusively, which can crowd out other forms of institutional support.
3. INDEPENDENT OVERSIGHT
Once the program guidelines and criteria have matured, the funds will be administered by a charitable 501(c)3 organization to allow for independent oversight and future tax-deductible donations.
TIMELINE:
- Establish initial funding by July 31, 2017
- Establish criteria, eligibility requirements, and selection guidelines: Fall 2017
- Award first scholarship to the graduating class of 2018
Organizer
Stan Ellicott
Organizer
Phillips, ME