Gary M. Smith Foundation Benefactors

The Gary M. Smith Foundation assists individuals and other charities via financial support.  Below is a listing of those who received contributions from the Gary M. Smith Foundation in 2008.  Additionally, there are also other organizations listed which the Gary M. Smith Foundation has supported since inception.

Each year, the Gary M. Smith Foundation awards a scholarship to a graduating senior at Brownsburg High School that plans to attend Indiana University.

2008 Gary M. Smith Scholarship Recipient:

We are pleased to announce that the 2008 recipient of the Gary M. Smith Foundation Scholarship is Michael Shepherd, who is a 2008 graduate of Brownsburg High School.

Michael maintained a grade point average of 3.54 and ranks 115th in his class of 464.  He was a member of the Bulldogs Football team for 4 years and started for 3 of those years.  Michael also played on the Brownsburg High School Rugby team where he was team captain, 3 year starter, All State, and a member of the Team USA U18 and U20 National teams.  He recently represented the USA on its’ national team this past summer in Wales.    

Michael also participated in the Madrigal Singers, Choir for 4 years and he was a member of the All State Honors Choir.  Michael’s junior and senior years also included his membership in the National Honor Society, and he was also a middle school tutor as well as being a member of his youth group at church.

Michael will attend Indiana University Bloomington this fall, with plans to pursue an Bachelor of Science Degree from the prestigious Kelly School of Business.  His current future plans include pursuing a career as a Restaurant owner and operator.

Past Recipients of the Gary M. Smith Foundation Scholarship:

Benefactors for 2008:

Additional Organizations afforded financial support from the Gary M. Smith Foundation:
The Tom Burnett Family Foundation
The Morrison Family Fund – Brownsburg, Indiana
Deputy Fraternal Organization
CARRA Myositis Research
Camp Del-Ja-Ri (camp for Children’s Arthritis-related diseases)

Scholarship – Each spring, a graduating Brownsburg, IN High School Student who will attend Indiana University is chosen to receive a $5000.00 scholarship.  The scholarship is awarded over a 4 year period of time equating to $1250 per year.

Camp Care - Camp CARE ( Cancer Ain't Really the End ) was formed in 1985 by a group of health-care professionals. Staffed entirely by volunteers and funded by donations, we provide over 100 campers each year with a normal camping experience. A chance to get away from the realities of living with cancer. A chance to share their thoughts with other children like themselves. The philosophy of Camp CARE from the beginning has been that a child with cancer is, first of all, a child. A child, like all children, needs laughter, friends and fresh air. These are the very things Camp CARE can provide. Camp CARE is a non-profit 501C(3) organization, which services both Presbyterian Hospital and The Carolinas Medical Center, and relies entirely on donations. Please check with your employer to see if they have a matching funds program.

Juvenile Diabetes Research – Each year the Gary M. Smith Foundation contributes to this very important organization.  Many of us, including the Smith Family have loved one’s afflicted by Juvenile Diabetes.

Bret Neylon Fund – Bret is a Brownsburg High School teacher who was involved in a biking accident leaving him paralyzed in the summer of 2006.  The Gary M. Smith Foundation donated $1000 to assist the Neylon Family with Medical Bills.

Cancer Research – Gary M. Smith was a cancer survivor beating all odds and becoming a “miracle child” in 1942.  The Foundation lost 2 friends and supporters to cancer in 2006 and another friend was diagnosed with Breast Cancer.  The Board of Directors allocated funds to contribute to various cancer fighting organizations in their names and forwarded contributions to the Little Red Door, IU Cancer Research, and Team Sweet Melissa.

IU Pediatric Rheumatology Research – The Gary M. Smith Foundation contributed $1000 to this organization which allowed 4 children to attend Camp Del-Ja-Ri in 2006.

Thomas Burnett Family Foundation (2001) - $20,000
Tom was one of the many “Heroes”  on United Flight 93 on 9/11.  Tom and others successfully lead a passenger rebellion against the hijackers of Flight 93 and saved many lives by sacrificing their own.  Tom was a family friend of the Smith’s and the Gary M. Smith Foundation successfully raised and contributed $20,000 to the Thomas Burnett Family Foundation in 2001.