Memorial Donations
Pat Milchuck has found the perfect combination: designating her memorial contributions to be donated to the PBL Education Foundation. Pat explained, “I have grandchildren going through PBL High School. By designating that memorials be given to the Education Foundation, the funds are being passed on to another generation.” Regardless of whether the memorial is for an alumnus from Buckley, Loda, Paxton, Roberts, or PBL, Pat feels that it is a fitting tribute that goes beyond a lifetime. And, Pat’s not alone in her thinking.
Former students, their parents, and the community in general have chosen to express their respect for former educators and other education-minded individuals by conveying their memorial donations to the Education Foundation. The family of Leesa Kulow, a 1982 graudate of Buckley-Loda High School, designated that memorials in Leesa's memory be given to the PBL Education Foundation.
Virginia Graham, a former educator, was fondly remembered by many folks when she passed away in 2003. Mrs. Graham taught 4th grade for over 20 years in the PHS and PBL school systems. The Graham family chose to use her memorial contributions to establish a $500 scholarship to be given to a graduating senior from PBL who plans to enter the education profession. Patty Graham Herges, Virginia’s daughter, recalls, “My mother used to reminisce about her days of attending college at ISNU (now ISU) when financially it was a struggle for her to even have enough money to make a phone call home to her parents. Mom would be so pleased to know that this scholarship is helping a young scholar prepare for their career in education.” The Foundation administers the scholarship for the Graham family.
The family of Jerry Zimmerman, a retired Biology teacher from the PHS and PBL school districts, suggested the memorial donations in Jerry’s name be placed in the Foundation’s general fund. This fund provides the grant money that is awarded to educators in the PBL Unit #10 District who apply for money to use in improving the academic training provided to their students. Whether it’s greater exposure to the arts, more access to innovative technologies, a better understanding of the history of the community, a deeper awareness of our ecological surroundings, or any number of other academic programs, The PBL Education Foundation is committed to providing grant money that will ignite a child’s passion for learning.
Memorials in the name of Gene Kingston, a retired educator in the Paxton High School and PBL schools, were given to the Education Foundation.