(EFFINGHAM, Illinois – August 1, 2023) Robert and Julie Began, along with their daughter, Hannah, established the Heather Began Memorial Education Fund in memory of their daughter, Heather. The fund will offer a grant opportunity to K-5 educators at Altamont Elementary School, Altamont, Illinois, Rover Elementary School in Tempe, AZ, Ballard Nature Center in Altamont, Illinois, and the Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center in Phoenix, AZ.
Heather passed away on October 5, 2019, in Phoenix, Arizona, as the result of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. She was 25 years old. Heather, a graduate of Altamont High School, was a first-grade teacher at Estrella Vista Elementary in Avondale, Arizona, and an active volunteer at Nino Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center in Phoenix.
Heather often expressed that “Life is full of adventures! Be brave and take on challenges.” She viewed a career in education as one of those adventures. She regarded each school subject as an opportunity to gain more knowledge and skill to share with her students. She wanted to share her love of learning with kids, inspire them to learn and act as a positive mentor in the lives of her students. She often expressed that education motivated her to improve herself by applying what she learned about multiple subjects.
Heather was able to fulfill her dream of teaching young students before her life was cut short. Now her family wants to carry on Heather’s legacy by helping elementary teachers and educational programs enhance their classrooms through grants from the Heather Began Memorial Fund. Applications for the Heather Began Memorial Fund Grant are available online at southeasternillinois.org/grants. The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. on September 12, 2023. For more information, contact Kristen Bertrand, Program Officer, at 217.342.5413 or kristen@southeasternillinois.org.
Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation manages more than 200 affiliated funds for the immediate and long-term benefit of communities in southeastern Illinois. For more information, contact Alex Pleasant, President/CEO of Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation, at 217.342.4988 or alex@southeasternillinois.org.
Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation was established in 2009 because of a merger between Effingham County Community Foundation (est. 1999) and Mattoon Area Community Foundation (est. 1980). Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization managing permanent and non-permanent assets for the long-term benefit of communities in southeastern Illinois.
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