Two hardworking people help spread their love of the community by giving back to the Lenawee Humane Society.
Morris Breakstone wrote that when we lose someone we still “have memories of loved ones to commune with, to take solace in and thus to find strength in the past and hope for a future in the human world. One can discover new meanings and new feelings in the light and glow of their memory.’
His widow, Angela, has done just that. Morris passed away seven years ago, but remains a strong influence in Angela’s life.
Although born in the Bronx, Morris eventually moved to Lenawee County after military service in World War II, utilization of the G.I. Bill to earn a master’s degree in psychology, and work in Traverse City and Coldwater. He worked at the Lenawee Intermediate School District with children, who were disadvantaged. Knowing how much Morris loved Lenawee, and that he would want to continue making Lenawee a better place by helping at-risk children, Angela looked for a way to memorialize and honor Morris.
After a 39-year teaching career, including 31 years at Maurice Spear Campus, Angela was also searching for something meaningful she could do in her retirement. She was referred to the Lenawee Community Foundation, where staff assisted her in creating a Donor Advised Fund to help at-risk children.
A Donor Advised Fund allows the donor to make recommendations for grants that fit the purpose specified by the donor. It acts similar to a private foundation, however is much less costly to establish, less expensive to operate, and less restrictive in distributions, payouts, and investments.
Through the Morris & Angela Breakstone Donor Advised Fund at the Lenawee Community Foundation, Angela and her late husband recently made a grant to the Lenawee Humane Society. The grant will provide scholarships to the Rescue Rangers summer camp and purchase children’s books for the Reading Buddies program at Madison Elementary School. The Lenawee Humane Society is excited to teach awareness, safety, and compassion to younger generations in our community.
How would you like to make Lenawee better? The Lenawee Community Foundation assists individuals businesses, communities and organizations in achieving their charitable goals in the areas of health, civic projects, culture, education, and human services. We are like the community’s charitable savings account, building permanent funds from which earnings are used for grants that improve the quality of life here – for good for ever.
For information about the Lenawee Community Foundation or fulfilling your charitable wishes, contact Sue today!
PHOTO: From left, Keelii Regalado, Outreach Coordinator, Lenawee Humane Society; Sue Hammersmith, President & CEO, Lenawee Community Foundation; Marcie Cornell, Executive Director, Lenawee Humane Society
