Mack & Lavond Clayton Foundation
2020 Scholarship Awards
Mount Dora Community Trust recently awarded $63,650 in scholarships June 18, 2020 For Immediate Release Mount Dora, FL – What is the driving force behind local scholarships that help area students afford and graduate from college? It is all the scholarship funds created by a mix of individuals, couples, families, clubs and organizations, held and managed by the Mount Dora Community Trust (MDCT). “It’s an investment in their potential, and in the impact they can have in their communities,” according to Grant & Scholarship Director Sarah Herrick. “The majority of these awards went to students from Mount Dora, Eustis, Tavares and Sorrento. Helping our kids, our future, is a priority for many of our donors. Maybe it is our small town culture, but these donors are creating positive community change. Our donors are making a difference in student potential every day.” A total of $63,650 was awarded this year to new and renewal scholarships. This year’s recipients were – Community Service Scholarship: Gabriela Bonilla. Orval Hagerty Scholarship: Oluwadamilare Elugbaju, Faith Burno. Dr. Joel & Anna J. See Memorial Scholarship: Ngoc Pham, Kenneth Hatley, Cheyenne Haines, Ashley Warner, Sarah Marsicek, Sydney Engle. Mary Beacom Memorial Scholarship: Ashley Warner, Sarah Marsicek, Fernando Fuentes-Diaz. Aileen Joiner Scholarship: Ashley Warner, Simon Atkinson. Liz Perrett Memorial Scholarship: Sarah Marsicek.John Liptak Jr. Memorial Basketball Scholarship: Damian Cisco. Kelly Bodnaruk Memorial Scholarship: Sarah Marsicek. William A. Sievert Scholarship: Katherine Kozlowski. Mike Stone Memorial Scholarship: Nola Myers, Hunter Gordon. Class of 2017 Scholarship: Nola Myers, Sydney Engle. W.T. Bland Jr. Memorial Scholarship: Emily Leto, Ashley Warner, Adam Waters, Nicholas Mowers, Tanner Brooks. Rotary Club of Lake County Golden Triangle Scholarships: Moses Gibbs, Emily Bradley, Andrea Paz. “As the world of higher education continues to change, we ask ourselves how we can make our scholarship program more impactful for students and benefit our county?” said Executive Director Rob English. “We’re planning an in-depth study of our current program, including asking for feedback from past scholarship recipients. Approaches we are considering, include support for returning adult learners to complete their degree, increasing skilled trade degrees and certificates, and a program designed to bring talented young adults back to the area by reducing student loan debt.” About Mount Dora Community Trust Mount Dora Community Trust is the leading community foundation serving Northeast Lake County. For more information about making a gift, opening a scholarship fund, creating a named fund at the Mount Dora Community Trust, or to learn more about the organization, call Executive Director Rob English at (352) 383-2150 or visit MountDoraCommunityTrust.com. ###
Cornerstone Hospice Children’s Bereavement Program
June 16, 2020 For Immediate Release Cornerstone Hospice’s Children’s Bereavement Program receives $10,000 grant from Mount Dora Community Trust Mount Dora, Fla. – Children do not grieve in the same way or time frame as adults. Nor do they use the same language as adults to describe their feelings. To help children understand their own personal grief process, Cornerstone Hospice offers innovative ways for them to express and tell their stories of loss and emerge emotionally stronger and better prepared for future success. Recently, the Mount Dora Community Trust awarded a $10,000 grant to help fund the program which serves any child in Cornerstone’s Central Florida region, whether the child’s loved one was cared for by the hospice agency or not. In many cases, the loved one’s death can be sudden and traumatic, leaving the family without emotional support. “Research has shown that one out of every 15 children, age 15 and younger, will suffer the loss of one or both parents. These statistics don’t account for the number of children who lose a ‘parental figure,’ such as a grandparent or other relative that provided their care,” said Nick Buchholz, Executive Director, Cornerstone Hospice Foundation. “The trust’s investment in our children’s bereavement program ensures Cornerstone’s ability to provide grief counseling to help these young people cope free of charge.” “Children, especially teens, have experienced a great loss during the COVID-19 pandemic. They lost their entire world such as interaction with friends, teachers, and coaches, after school activities, jobs, prom and traditional graduation. Our children’s bereavement program will serve them too even though their loss is not from a death” said Reginald Riley, Ph.D., MSW, Cornerstone’s Director of Psychosocial Services. Counselors are available for one-on-one sessions or group sessions and accommodations have been made for virtual meetings with those who need support. For information about Cornerstone Hospice’s Bereavement Support Services, please email bereavment@cshospice.org or call 866-742-6655. About Cornerstone Hospice Cornerstone Hospice is a leading community-owned provider of end-of-life care in Central Florida. For 35 years Cornerstone has set the standard for hospice care as we serve more than 7,000 people in Lake, Sumter, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Hardee and Highlands counties each year. For more information, to donate, or to volunteer, call 866-742-6655 or visit www.CornerstoneHospice.org. ###
Online Applications
Are you interested in applying for a Grant, Sponsorship, or Scholarship? All applications will now be submitted electronically! We are very excited for this capability, established as of 2018, and can’t wait to put it to use so, go apply!! Don’t forget to come see us or give us a call if you want to see YOUR OWN FUND on our list of applications!
New Home for MDCT!
We are pleased to announce that we have purchased and have renovated a house on Donnelly to be the new MDCT headquarters! Renovations were completed in May 2016 and is now open for visitors Monday – Thursday 9am – 2pm!
