Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes proud to present the DOUG & MARY PERRY HIGHER EDUCATION FUND
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 5, 2021
With great pride and sense of honour, the past President and Co-Founder of the Community Foundation of Kawartha, Mike Perry has established the Doug & Mary Perry Higher Education Fund with the Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes. In memory of his loving parents, Mike has launched this Fund intended to provide financial support and encouragement to graduates from the Fenelon Falls Secondary School, interested in a career in teaching.
Donated by the estate of Doug and Mary Perry, this newly established Fund will create a legacy for the Fenelon Falls Secondary, empowering deserving graduates to aim for post-secondary education, specifically in field of teaching and education. This generous legacy will grow and compound over many years, offering annual awards to many young and aspiring teachers and educators in Fenelon Falls.
As expressed by the school principal, Donald MacIver, “The students and Staff at Fenelon Falls Secondary School are extremely honoured to be supported by the new Doug & Mary Perry Higher Education Award. This award will award graduating FFSS students each year, as they move forward in their post-secondary education. Our school community would like to pass on a big thank you to Mike Perry, a FFSS graduate and his family for this generosity and thoughtfulness!”
Doug and Mary Perry had strong beliefs in the power of public education to enable and inspire people and build communities. A graduate of Fenelon Falls Secondary School, Mary devoted her career to teaching, until she retired from Ridgewood Public School in Coboconk in (year).
Growing up in Kinmount and a graduate of Fenelon Falls Secondary School in Class of 1955, Mary began her teaching career in a one-room school in Essonville near Gooderham. Returning to obtain her B.A. from Trent University later in life, Mary retired from teaching kindergarten at Ridgewood Public School in Coboconk. Working hard all their lives, Mary and Doug were strong believers in the power of public education to empower people and build communities.
"My mom went to FFSS when it was still a grey stone building and I too graduated as a proud Falcon. My mom and dad instilled in me my passion for the value and joy of education," said Mike Perry who now teaches courses including at Trent University. "I am thrilled that my parents will be remembered in helping students from FFSS learn and teach, too."
Amanda Grills and Tegyn Thomas are the proud recipients of the first Doug & Mary Perry Higher Education Fund Scholarship awarded at this year’s Fenelon Falls Secondary School graduation.
The Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes is here to help you create a meaningful and lasting change in your community. The Foundation has a variety of fund structures to offer you the levels of support, involvement and recognition you desire. With a variety of ways to give, you can establish a fund, or plan to give in the future, or make a donation to an existing fund today. You can choose to support your favourite charities, specific areas of interest, or create unique opportunities for community investment.
If you have a great idea or you want learn more about the Foundation and its philanthropy, contact Margaret Cunningham at 705.731.9775 or email: info@kawarthafoundation.ca. For Foundation information, click on www.kawarthafoundation.ca
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Margaret Cunningham, Foundation Coordinator
705.731.9775 ~ margaret@jacksgroup.ca