For many local students, the idea of attending college would be nothing more than an unachievable dream if not for scholarships.Through this financial support, graduating seniors with solid potential have the opportunity to continue their education and launch into a career that will allow them to both support themselves and utilize their skills and determination in advancing their profession.   Bartlesville Community Foundation is pleased to announce a number of scholarships that are available to local students who want to pursue a college education.Julia Crouch, BCF executive director says, “These scholarships not only provide very practical support for students but also represent the generosity of local donors and, in several cases, honor the memory of those who have influenced others in a very meaningful way.”   She continues, “For example, the Blair Thompson Russell scholarship was established in memory of Blair, daughter of Brian and Krista Thompson of Bartlesville.Blair graduated from Bartlesville High School and went on to obtain her bachelors degree and enter the field of teaching.Though her life was cut short by a tragic automobile accident, her impact on others is quite profound.She gave to others, particularly her students, dedicating her time, love, and support in selfless ways.When she passed away in 2006, establishing a scholarship in her honor was a perfect way for family and friends to continue her legacy.”   The Lou Skurcenski Scholarship Fund is another great illustration of people coming together in memory of a great person in a way that helps others.Summer employment, scholarships and loans enable Lou Skurcenski to attend Westminster College in the early ‘60s.Upon graduation, Lou joined Phillips Petroleum Company as an analytical chemist and as a member of the Phillips 66ers basketball team.Throughout his adult life, Lou was an active supporter of Bartlesville youth sports as a volunteer coach, mentor, and role model.Lou’s wife, Stephanie, his greatest fan, along with family and friends, created the Lou Skurcenski Memorial Scholarship fund to honor his memory.The scholarship awards a graduating senior boy or girl who is an exemplary student and who has been active in Bartlesville High School sports.The student must demonstrate qualities of outstanding leadership, be active in the community, and display good sportsmanship and a positive attitude.   Other scholarships have been established to recognize a student’s participation in certain extracurricular activities, like the Birdies for Scholarships fund that supports students who participate in the local high school golf program, and Green Country Cattlemen’s Association Scholarship fund that rewards students who are active in the organization and excel in school.   Crouch adds, “For Bartlesville Community Foundation, these scholarships are made possible only through the generous contributions of donors who understand the importance of education and want to do all that we can to allow local students with incredible potential to go on to college.Without this financial support, none of the scholarships would exist.”   To apply for a scholarship, simply log on to BCF’s website at www.bartlesvillefoundation.com or, for Bartlesville High School seniors, contact the guidance counselor’s office at BHS.To make a donation in support of these scholarships, or to establish a new scholarship fund, contact Crouch at BCF at 918-337-2287.

Every good community has parks for its residents, but a great community considers the needs of not just the people but also their pets.That’s why Bark Park Buddies is working hard to support the vision of dog parks in the Bartlesville area.   Bark Park Buddies, a group of volunteers including Pat Poindexter, Tracy Rohleder, Darlene Shoemake, Sherry Stinson, Bill Buckles, Anita Stepp, and Mark Stepp, dedicates itself to bringing awareness of the need and raising funds to build and maintain dog parks in our community.   “It’s important for our pets to have room to run and play, and many local residents simply don’t have the space to achieve that,” says group leader Pat Poindexter.“Additionally, pet owners appreciate the opportunity to go to a park that allows both themselves and their dogs to enjoy the area.”   One important component of Bark Park Buddies mission is to provide a funding mechanism that allows local residents to financially support the goals of the initiative while also gaining the advantages of tax deductible donations.So Bark Park Buddies has partnered with Bartlesville Community Foundation to handle the financial aspects of the group’s efforts.Specifically, donations can be made to Bartlesville Community Foundation (BCF) for the benefit of the Bark Park Buddies project.BCF is a 501(c)3 non profit organization focused on providing a simple way for the people of our community to do good works.   “We see the value of the mission of Bark Park Buddies and are pleased to work with them in achieving the goals the group has established,” reports Julia Crouch, BCF executive director.“As the organization succeeds in raising money to support dog park initiatives in our area, BCF can issue grants to both municipal and non-profit organizations who are focusing on building and maintaining dog parks for the people of our area.”   Donations can be sent to Bartlesville Community Foundation, with a memo note on the check “Bark Park Buddies” in order to benefit the fund.Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.For more information about the fund, contact Crouch at 918.337.2287.

  Mary Martha Outreach, a local United Way member organization committed to serving the immediate and ongoing needs of the underprivileged in our area, knows the importance of ensuring its continued operation.Seeing the need that exists within our area to supply food, clothing, furniture, household items, books and haircuts to people who couldn’t secure such items on their own is a constant reminder that people depend on the work of the organization.   MMO supplies its services at no charge and strives to conduct its operations in a manner which protects and upholds the dignity of individuals and encourages them to improve their quality of life through their own actions.   “We often forget in our community – one with such prosperity – that people are in need.Nearly half of the children in our area are eligible for reduced or no-cost lunches at our local public schools.Many families struggle with inadequate transportation.Some go to bed hungry at the end of the day,” reports Jamie Wood, founder and president of Mary Martha Outreach (MMO).“It’s especially important for us to bless others because we have been blessed.Our organization strives to do that in very practical ways.In 2008, we fed over 35,000 people in our three-county area, outfitted kids in back-to-school clothing, helped adults get jobs by supplying appropriate work outfits, and even provided basic personal hygiene supplies like soap, diapers, and toothpaste.And we’ve seen the need double in the last six months.”   As part of its organizational planning, MMO leaders have recognized the need to not only secure ongoing donations and community support but also to integrate an endowment program in their financial model.An endowment allows for a long-term investment to provide annual income to the organization.   Establishing and maintaining an endowment independently can be costly and burdensome.So MMO looked for ways to reduce the expense and hassle.This led to a partnership with Bartlesville Community Foundation (BCF).Through BCF, non profit organizations like MMO can easily establish endowment funds without having to design and implement the structure on their own.BCF provides all of the structure for compliance and ongoing operation of the endowment fund.   “We are excited about the opportunity to partner with Mary Martha Outreach in the essential work that it does,” reports Julia Crouch, BCF executive director.“The organization has always impressed me by its efficiency, its ability to work so effectively with volunteers, and its compassion for meeting the needs of others. The partnership was a perfect way for MMO to achieve some long-range financial planning for the organization without spending the exorbitant fees often associated with setting up an endowment fund.It’s just another great example of how MMO does what it does with a keen eye on keeping costs down and using its resources to actually accomplish its mission, rather than incur unnecessary overhead expense.”   Endowments are just one type of fund available through BCF.For more information, or to make a donation to the MMO endowment fund, contact Crouch at 918.337.2287.