Children who’ve lost a parent face daunting challenges as they try to cope with the immediate aftermath of a family tragedy.
Thanks to the Legacy Guild, La Grange-area students suddenly without a parent in the last year are getting help dealing with the loss and building their futures.
The local nonprofit recently announced they had awarded $216,500 in local scholarships to the students suddenly without a parent.
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“We’re a local organization that strives to support kids who have lost a parent,” Russ Riberto, Vice President and Board member of the group, said in a recent telephone interview.
The students, who the Guild refers to as Scholars, will each receive a $3,000 scholarship, each one renewable for up to four years until they graduate from any undergraduate college.
The scholarships are open to any student living in the area and include those from La Grange, La Grange Park, Western Springs, La Grange Highlands, Brookfield, Countryside, Burr Ridge, and Indian Head Park.
Riberto said that, besides the death of a parent, the only requirement is that the student live within the boundaries of Lyons Township High School District 204, meaning that the scholarships are available to kids in public, private, and parochial schools.
The awards were handed out at the group’s Scholar Luncheon in June, providing an opportunity for the organization to distribute the scholarship checks and have the Scholars connect with board members and network with area business people and other influential members of the community.
The organization, first formed in 2012, also announced the luncheon that the total amount awarded this year to Scholars since its inception was a slightly more than $1.5 million in scholarships to 216 area students.
Riberto stressed that the amount awarded to Scholars was increased by $500 annually, up from the previous award of $2,500.
“We just made the decision to increase the award,” he said, noting that the Spring fundraiser at the Elm Restaurant, 23 W. Harris Ave, was a big factor in the decision, bringing in 425 guests and raising more than $190,000 in contributions.
The Legacy Guild offers more than just financial support for students who’ve lost a parent. There is also a focus on mentoring and networking for its Scholars as well as bringing adults together to help build strong families.
“We’re focused on scholarships, but we also place kids in internships, summer jobs, and even full-time job opportunities,” Ned Sher, of the Legacy Guild Scholarship Committee, said.
Sher credited the Elm ownership for their participation, calling them “extremely gracious,” and lauded the community in general for its generosity.
“We’ve been fortunate,” he said, noting that one gentleman whose wife died requested that any donations to his wife’s memory be directed to the Legacy Group.
Sher also pointed out that the Universal Technical Institute (UTI) in Lisle recently announced a scholarship for one student to enter the college and financial aid for students interested in careers in automotive, diesel, collision repair, and welding.
The UTI scholarship represents the first formal partnership Legacy Guild has formed with an accredited college.
The Legacy Guild’s next fundraiser is the 11th annual Legacy Guild Golf Outing/Fundraiser, September 23, at the La Grange Country Club.
For further information, visit the group’s website, TheLegacyGuild.com
Hank Beckman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.