BOTKINS — The Botkins Education Foundation (BEF) has established a general fund within the Community Foundation of Shelby County to support its activities.

“We decided to create a general-use fund to allow flexibility in carrying out our purpose,” said BEF president Fritz Serr. “We would ultimately like to encourage and support our teachers by providing new and innovative ideas in the classroom that may not otherwise be funded by local or state dollars.”

The BEF administers several scholarships for Botkins High School students, some of which are placed with the Community Foundation and others that are managed within the organization. The board is working to build community and alumni awareness in the hope that many supporters will grow the BEF for the benefit of local students.

“Many local education foundations have developed general funds that can provide money to host special education events and support projects benefitting large numbers of students,” said Marian Spicer, Community Foundation executive director. “Scholarships are great for helping graduates take the next step in education, but there are many ways student learning can be enhanced through a general fund’s efforts.”

“It is the hope of the BEF to enrich and inspire the academic pursuits of all our students and to provide them resources enabling them to graduate and become globally competitive,” said Serr.

To make a gift to the Botkins Education Foundation General Fund, send a check made payable to the Community Foundation of Shelby County, with BEF General Fund noted on the memo line or in an accompanying note. Checks may be mailed to 100 S. Main Ave., Suite 202, Sidney.

Credit card gifts are accepted at www.commfoun.com. Select ‘Botkins Education Foundation General Fund’ from the dropdown menu. Also, find the Botkins Education Foundation on Facebook.