Timeless values for building STEM skills
In the years since Char Schulenburg’s graduation from St. Anthony’s in Wailuku, her connection to the school has felt as strong as it did when she was a student, nearly four decades ago. When she and husband Gary Passon moved back to Maui, she was certain of two things. “I knew we had a family, already embedded on Maui, who would welcome us home,” Char says of her St. Anthony ‘ohana. “And I always intended to give back to my school.” Talk about busy. After bringing everyone together to assess the school’s needs, the couple have spearheaded projects that will boost St. Anthony’s capabilities for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) into warp drive. These include a new robotics program, communications and media lab, and campus-wide wifi. “We have entered the 21st century,” says Gary. “The more opportunities children have to learn the thinking processes of STEM, the greater their opportunities to find successful careers and participate in society.” “As an example,” he adds, “a St. Anthony student named Maurica Bailey was recently recognized for using Autodesk Fusion 360 to create
a 3D print that encloses and angles a solar GPS system for tracking Native Hawaiian pueo birds.” To help accomplish their philanthropic goals, Char and Gary have created the Schulenburg Passon Community Fund through the Hawai’i Community Foundation (HCF). The donor-advised fund allows the couple to align the grant’s purpose to their charitable wishes. “We are very grateful to be in a position to give back, and the donor-advised fund gives us the flexibility to support where we see the need,” says Char. “St. Anthony promotes community service among its students. So we are just continuing a lifelong practice that St. Anthony helped instill in me.” Remembering the values of your childhood, giving back to a community resource, helping Hawai’i students build STEM skills — that’s the big promise of little things. “We are very grateful to be in a position to give back, and the donoradvised fund gives us the flexibility to support where we see the need.” ~ Char Schulenburg Creator, Schulenburg Passon Community Fund
DID YOU KNOW: Donor-advised funds are a simple and flexible option for charitable giving that allows you to steer the purpose of the fund by making grant recommendations, while leaving the administrative tasks to HCF. It can maximize your tax advantages, and help you leave a permanent legacy. Learn how you can transform your generosity into lasting change at
HawaiiCommunityFoundation.org