Sowing the Seeds of Success
Each fall, campuses come alive with a buzz of energy as students prepare for the next step on their learning journey. Over the years, generous donors to Lincoln Community Foundation(LCF) have established 87 scholarship funds that benefit students in Lancaster County and across the state of Nebraska. These scholarships empower students and help defray the costs of higher education.
Many of us are familiar with scholarships from the student perspective, but there is also a great deal of work that happens in tandem with the application and awarding process. For example, many folks work behind the scenes as volunteers for LCF’s scholarship review process. These individuals are passionate about helping students attain higher education, and they dedicate hours of their time to select deserving recipients.
Bob and Sheri Downey know this process well.
“When you read the applications, the need is obvious,” said Bob. “And the work that these students are putting into gaining higher education is tremendous.”
Sheri agreed.
“They have a high likelihood of succeeding,” she said. “It’s a good thing to be able to help them along the way.”
Bob and Sheri discussed what draws them to this volunteer opportunity year after year over coffee at The Mill Coffee. For Sheri, it was her own college experience that inspired her to give her time.
“I worked full-time to support my tuition and books,” said Sheri. “Scholarships made it possible for me to pursue my degree.”
Originally from Kansas City, Sheri came to Lincoln to attend the University. Bob, a long-time Lincolnite, also graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. They met by chance outside of Sports Courts, a Lincoln health and racquetball club. Forty-four years later, they love calling Lincoln home.
“It’s still a big small town,” said Bob.
Answering a blind ad in the newspaper for a job at the Capital Humane Society brought them back to Lincoln early on in their marriage. Looking for opportunities to be closer to family, Bob didn’t realize at the time that he’d be forging his path of 36 years helping Lincoln’s pets as the agency’s CEO.
“When I started, the organization was close to bankruptcy,” said Bob. “We had a staff of 11 and one facility. Now their assets have grown to more than $11 million, they have two locations, and they’re providing critical veterinary services.”
“During my time we were able to do so many positive things,” he continued. “But I think the biggest impact was changing how the community looks at animals who come from shelters.”
Sheri’s heart and career have been focused on working with veterans. After more than 29 years with the VA Medical Center, she reflected: “The good always outweighed the bad.”
Volunteering as LCF scholarship reviewers led Bob and Sheri to think about their legacy plans and establish a future gift for students. When it came to deciding where to create their scholarship fund – the choice was obvious.
“It was extremely easy to work with the Foundation. The trust was already there. I just picked up the phone.” said Bob.
The Downeys worked with Vice President and General Counsel Tracy Edgerton to focus their support on the areas that meant the most to them. The Bob and Sheri Downey Endowed Scholarship Fund reflects their passions and will benefit students pursuing veterinary medicine, food and nutrition, and health care.
“It is such a joy to work with folks like the Downeys to help them bring their vision to reality,” Tracy said. “Bob and Sheri knew they wanted to help young people in our community make the most of their college experience, and they honed in on helping students in critical areas that mirror their professional journeys.”
As a new school year gets underway, Bob and Sheri hope that others are encouraged to think about leaving a legacy for the next generation.
As you develop your financial and estate plans, remembering your community can provide a lasting and meaningful legacy. For more information, contact Tracy Edgerton at 402-474-2345 or trayce@lcf.org.
