Fellowship Cup receives $39,000 donation from William G Saunders Trust Fund

MT. PLEASANT - The Fellowship Cup was presented with a $39,220.13 check from the William G Saunders Trust Fund at their board meeting on Nov. 19.

Elizabeth Garrels, who has been the fund's trustee since 1981, presented the check to board members. The donation is from a trust that was created following Saunders' death

'Certainly the Fellowship meets the criteria of the original will in that the gift will benefit residents of Henry County,” Garrels said.

'It has always been a fund that stood in the gap, funded things that didn't meet guidelines, and through the years as government restrictions and parameters became much more stringent, this kind of fund was available to make a difference in a small way,” Garrels added.

A notice about the donation noted that 'William G Saunders' philanthropy for local residents will continue with funds from the trust now being offered to a larger outreach through the Fellowship Cup.”

Ken Brown, the executive director of the Fellowship Cup pointed to the Bridges Out of Poverty program as an area he feels the funds could be incredibly impactful.

'One of the areas that is one of the most need is our Bridges Out of Poverty program, because that is something that we need to fundraise for anyway … [the program] is really investing in people. We could always buy food and supplies and things like that, but the Bridges program is investing in people to improve their lives and have ways for them to come out of poverty,” he said of the program.

Brown explained that the funds would probably go more toward curriculum and getting people certified to become facilitators so additional classes can be held each year and expand the program.

Cindy Watson, the administrative assistant and bookkeeper for the Fellowship Cup noted that following the board meeting, it was determined that half of the donation will go to the Bridges Out of Poverty program, while the remaining portion will go toward special circumstances and 'certain special needs that [the Fellowship Cup] wouldn't be able to cover otherwise.” This includes instances like helping someone purchase glasses if they can't afford them.