Knight grants continue legacy, help Lenawee residents
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived — that is to have succeeded.”
Velma Knight passed away in 1980 and her husband, V.C. (Cliff), in 2005, but in 2022 they made $44,000 in grants to 13 programs helping our friends and neighbors. Although the Knights came from humble backgrounds, they did well financially and helped hundreds of people in their lifetimes. However, in the years since their passing, they have helped tens of thousands.
Approximately $1 million of their private foundation assets were transferred to the Lenawee Community Foundation in 2008, and to date they have awarded nearly $500,000 in grants to assist Lenawee residents. Their dedication to help their fellow human beings is alive today because of the legacy they left. And the exciting news is that because only the earnings are spent on grants, there is still over $1 million in their legacy fund.
Grants were awarded to:
• Adrian Rea Literacy Center.
• Associated Charities of Lenawee County.
• Catherine Cobb Safe House.
• Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee, Hillsdale.
• Child Care Network.
• City of Refuge Ministries.
• The Daily Bread of Lenawee.
• Habitat for Humanity of Lenawee County.
• Hospice of Lenawee.
• Housing Help of Lenawee.
• NewSong WeCare.
• Region 2 Area Agency on Aging.
• Society of Saint Vincent de Paul — St. Joseph Conference.
Additionally, another $25,000 has been awarded from the Lenawee Community Foundation in honor of our 25th anniversary. At the celebration held last month, attendees Jack Baker, Mary Jane Dopp, Walt Williams, Sue Hammersmith and Gordon Gauss helped select recipients for these grants. Awardees include the Salvation Army, Catherine Cobb Safe House, Ebeid Neighborhood Promise Project, Adrian Morning Rotary, Imagination Library, and Lenawee Health, Happiness and Hope Fund.
Leaving a great legacy is about using what you have, to improve what you see happening around you and continuing that work on into the future. When you leave a legacy, not only do you improve the quality of life for yourself, but all our friends and neighbors. Now and forever.
Paula Trentman serves as vice president and director of grants and programs of the Lenawee Community Foundation. Your community foundation assists individuals, corporations and organizations in fulfilling their charitable goals for our community. For information about how your business, any group, your family or you can volunteer to build a better community, call 517-263-4696 or contact paula@lenaweecf.com. We would be delighted to be of service as you invest time, talent, and treasure now and forever.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Lenawee Community Foundation: Knight grants continue legacy
