North Judson-San Pierre is the latest school to form a partnership with the Cheryl Lyn Welter Family Charitable Foundation. Harold Welter provided the NJSP School Board with an informative presentation when they met Tuesday night.
Welter explained to board members that the foundation was established in memory of his daughter Cheryl who passed away in an automobile accident her senior year. He provided a bit of background, saying she was a major people person and had been accepted into Purdue University’s School of Child and Family Counseling.
He said Cheryl’s love of helping others and interest in children inspired him to focus the foundation’s mission on helping students at the elementary, middle and high school levels.
Another reason they decided to go with this kind of assistance is because Harold saw a lack of available resources that allowed teachers to apply for immediate assistance. The fund was created as a way to keep teachers from having to pay out of pocket for various things like school supplies, field trip fees and other little items that can really add up after awhile.
Board members seemed enthusiastic about Welter’s proposition to have both building principals work with the foundation to provide grants to teachers for various scholastic purposes. Harold explained that teachers would be able to propose a need to the principal of their particular school and the principals would have the authority to decide whether or not the request is an acceptable use of funds.
Board members unanimously agreed to allow Julie Berndt at the Elementary School and Jim Polite at the Junior/Senior High School level to work with Harold and the Foundation in the future. Harold indicated that the first grants will be available at the start of next year.
If you wish to donate to the cause to help provide local teachers and students with educational assistance visit cherylskidsfund.org
