2022 Annual Report [Lawton Community Foundation]

2022 ANNUAL REPORT

Quanah Parker Dam, Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge near Lawton. camera Dennis Spielman

Trustees

A Letter From the Foundation

Something that we can probably all agree on – this past year proved to be quite difficult in a lot of different ways. Like the rest of the state and the nation, our community saw inflation climb to record numbers, and many of our citizens were deeply affected. Traditionally, our economy experiences ups and downs, and to say that last year was a down year would be an understatement. It’s during these downturns that communities and people come together. We tend to turn to our neighbors and pay a little more attention to each other’s needs. The spirit of what it means to be an Oklahoman became evident in Lawton, and we were able to continue our tradition of support throughout our entire community. Thanks to the focus on sustainability and the investment policy of the Lawton Community Foundation – we found a way to help those in need and to improve the lives of so many friends and neighbors, even during an economic slowdown.

This year our citizens continued to invest in our community, even when things looked bleak. I am so proud to be part of Lawton, and it was amazing to see so many of our fellow citizens pull together to help one another.

annual report reminds us how much our community comes together to create a lasting impact on Lawton and the surrounding area.

David Towe

Lawton Community Foundation President

David

Jennifer

Madigan

Mayhall

McArthur

to Support the Lawton Community

One of the best ways to impact

community

to establish an Advised Fund. It is a simple, flexible, and taxefficient way to support

favorite nonprofits

accomplish your charitable goals. Gifts to an Advised Fund earn an immediate tax deduction, even if you haven’t decided which organization you wish to support.

The Lawton Community Foundation’s goal is to make charitable giving as straightforward as possible. The Foundation has three types of Advised Funds to choose from, with minimum investments ranging from $5,000 – $20,000. We offer low fees and full administration

you can focus on your giving.

The gift that keeps on giving

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Now is the best time to plan for your future

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580-353-4747

visit LawtonCF.org.

Lawton Community Foundation Donors

The donors listed below have made gifts of $500 or more to permanent endowments at the Lawton Community Foundation in FY2022.

Arts For All, Inc

Arvest Bank

Best Mold Technologies

Dr. George I. Bridges

Cache School Education Foundation

Christian Family Counseling Center Comanche County Memorial Hospital Foundation

Dabney Ventures/Brooke Pointe Apartments

Stanley Bruce Davis Foundation

Jennifer and Mark Ellis

First United Methodist Church Foundation, Inc of Lawton

Natalie Fitch

Friends of Fort Sill, Inc Dr. Gilbert Gibson Greater Lawton Rotary Club

Donor Advised Funds

Hatch, Croke and Associates

Michael and Carolyn Keith Lawton Athletic Foundation Lawton Business Women’s Club

Gene Love

Estate of Joe Martinez Mr. Mike C. Mayhall

Karla J. Oty and John M. McArthur

Museum of the Great Plains

Linda and Larry Neal

Oklahoma Historical Society

OPAA Food Management of Oklahoma, LLC

Mr. H. John Rogers

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church

David and Mary Towe Western Trail Historical Society

Funds

Terry K. Bell Charitable Trust Fund

Arnold & Corrine Boyd Family Endowment Fund

Virginia Brewczynski Legacy Fund

Cowboy Fund

Cleo Craig Memorial Cancer & Research Foundation Fund

donors

recommend grants to a charity or cause of choice.

First United Methodist Church Foundation Gift Fund

Katherine D. Lacy Fund

Gene & Carolyn Anne Love Gift Fund Oklahoma Arts Institute Scholarship Fund

Leaving a Legacy in Lawton

Businessman Sam Ard’s legacy can be felt all over Lawton today. Sam passed away in May of 2022, and one month before his death, his adult children were with him as he reflected on his life. He turned to his daughter and said, “I think we did pretty good.”

After leaving active duty in the Army, Sam began a long career in business in the Lawton area. He dedicated his life to making Lawton a better place for everyone. He was responsible for bringing multiple industries to southwest Oklahoma. These include the Lawton Goodyear plant, Central Mall, the Lawton YMCA, Family Promise, and the Giddy Up ‘N’ Go therapeutic riding program.

At heart, he and his wife, Jane, were givers, and they contributed financially to many causes throughout Lawton. The Ards established a legacy fund with the Lawton Community Foundation in memory of Jane’s late mother, Katherine D. Lacy, so their giving would continue to impact the Lawton community. “My parents cared deeply about their community, and the well-being of Lawton was very important to them. They wanted to give back even after they were no longer here,” said daughter Ann Ard.

The

Sam and Jane Ard

Charitable Organization Endowments

The Lawton Community Foundation administers permanent funds for 39 nonprofit organizations, with 49 total funds serving Lawton and the surrounding area. The endowments provide a reliable source of income for program participants and offer a convenient way for donors to contribute. As of June 30, 2022, the market value for these endowment funds was nearly $5.7 million, and the annual distribution to the charitable organizations exceeded $284,000.

Fund Value Distribution

Artillery OCS Alumni Chapter $ 175,506 $ 9,711 Arts for All 59,669 2,891 Association of the US Army Fires Chapter Lawton-Fort Sill 29,015 1,615 Cache School Scholarship 216,321 11,195 Center for Creative Living 26,269 1,377 Christian Family Counseling Center 33,650 1,220 Comanche County Memorial Hospital Foundation 117,049 6,063 Crime Stoppers/Drug Busters of Southwest Oklahoma 112,847 6,250 First United Methodist Church Foundation of Lawton 149,922 7,403 Frederick School Enrichment Foundation 23,443 1,291 Friends of Ft. Sill 93,072 4,332 Giddy Up ’N Go 67,153 3,702 Greater Lawton Rotary Club 235,854 * Great Plains AMBUCS - Kid’s Zone 19,997 1,121 Great Plains Technology Center Foundation 21,691 1,204 Great Plains – Jim Nesbitt Scholarship 59,189 3,279 Hackberry Flat Foundation 57,698 3,196 Hearts That Care – Wendy Bartanen Fund 338,629 18,704 Holiday in the Park 26,014 1,450 Lawton AMBUCS Lou Brox Endowment 139,946 7,602 Lawton Athletic Foundation 61,593 2,139 Lawton Community Theatre 31,555 1,755 Lawton Family YMCA 21,872 1,173 Lawton Food Bank 192,252 10,183 Lawton-Fort Sill Armed Services YMCA Gene Love Endowment 404,557 21,603 Lawton Friends of the Library 34,662 1,918 Lawton Philharmonic Orchestra 65,797 3,607 Lawton Public School Foundation 827,797 40,867 Larry K. Freeman Endowment Fund 233,721 14,066 Museum of the Great Plains 39,817 2,056 On the Chisholm Trail Association Heritage Center 75,379 3,917 Bernice Ford Price Library Endowment 84,178 3,868 Kathy Bea Holsinger Reese Memorial for the Benefit of St. Paul’s Methodist Church 105,989 5,719 Roadback Inc. 24,935 1,344

Southwest Oklahoma Genealogical Society 20,001 1,122 St. John Lutheran Church Foundation 123,365 5,993 Tipton Children’s Home 55,481 2,972 United States Field Artillery Association Foundation 369,456 20,449

General Donald R. Keith Memorial Scholarship Fund 50,442 2,357

General Jack N. Merritt Scholarship 24,301 1,346

General J.H. Binford Peay III Scholarship 24,173 1,339

Dennis J. Reimer Scholarship 30,371 1,682

General Carl E. Vuono Scholarship 24,173 1,339

Fund Value Distribution

U.S Field Artillery Association All-Star Scholarship $ 23,660 $ 1,311

U.S. Field Artillery Association Eagle Scholarship 21,371 1,184

U.S. Field Artillery - Fort Sill Artillery Half Section 17,281 ** United Way of Southwest Oklahoma 544,540 27,676 Western Trail Historical Society 122,734 4,750 World Christian Broadcasting 64,275 2,927

Totals: $ 5,722,662 $ 284,268

Supporting Students Hopes and Changing Lives

The Lawton Public School Foundation’s executive director, Lisa Carson, received a phone call that would suddenly change students’ lives in the community for years to come. Long-time Lawton resident Larry Freeman passed away, leaving a substantial donation to establish a permanent endowment for the Lawton Public Schools Foundation, which turned to the Lawton Community Foundation to administer. Mr. Freeman donated $245,000 from his estate so local students could live better lives. His donation will support students in the Lawton community by funding scholarships and extracurricular activities and assisting students.

Members of the Foundation were grateful to receive the donation on behalf of the students of Lawton, with hopes that more community members will follow Mr. Freeman’s lead.

According to Lisa Carson, “Mr. Freeman didn’t have much money growing up being from a lower-middle-class family. He often found himself the target of other kids. He intended to offer hope to students who find themselves in similar situations and wanted to help change their lives.”

The Lawton Community Foundation supports the charitable interests of the Lawton community and surrounding areas through community grants, a scholarship program and a charitable endowment program for local nonprofit organizations.

Lisa Carson

Lawton Area Students working together on STEM

Scholarship Awards

In 2022, the Lawton Community Foundation awarded 15 Lawton-area high school seniors $32,250 in scholarships. The recipients represent school districts in Lawton and the surrounding area.

Lawton Community Scholars

Trustees of the Lawton Community Foundation award a one-year, $2,000 scholarship to graduating seniors from the Lawton, Frederick, Geronimo, and Cache public school districts. In addition, those recipients attending Cameron University receive a matching scholarship from the school.

• William Quoetone – Cache High School

• Jack Walker- Cache High School

• Alivya LaFleur – Cache High School

• Hanna Harrison – Frederick High School

• Zachary Siaca – Lawton High School

• Makenzie Towe – Eisenhower High School

• Kaylah Becton – Eisenhower High School

• Brianna Julian – Eisenhower High School

• Anastasia Powe – Eisenhower High School

• Tyla McCaig – Geronimo High School

Lawton Business Women Nell Franklin Scholarship

A $2,000 award established by longtime Lawton resident and Lawton Business Women’s Club member Nell Franklin was offered to Lawton Public Schools graduating females who plan to attend Cameron University or Great Plains Technology Center (Lawton Campus).

• Kymbré Muse – Lawton High School

• Brianna Julian – Eisenhower High School

McMahon Legacy Scholarship

The McMahon Legacy Scholarship was established in 2018 by the Comanche County Saddle & Sirloin Club. Contributors are The Craig Foundation, Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma, All-America Bank and Liberty National Bank. This scholarship aims to assist graduating seniors of the Comanche County Livestock Show in pursuit of secondary education.

• Madilynn Pierson – Indiahoma High School

Benny McReynolds Memorial Scholarship

A $2,000 award was established by Frederick High School and Western Oklahoma State College graduate Benny McReynolds to encourage Frederick High School graduates who plan to attend Western Oklahoma State College.

• Gavin Sonnenberg – Frederick High School

Lamont N. Wilson ROTC Scholarship

A $2,000 award was established in 2010 by the friends and family of (Marine Lance Cpl.) Lamont N. Wilson is offered to Lawton High School, Eisenhower High School or MacArthur High School graduating seniors participating in ROTC.

• Brayden Johnson – Lawton MacArthur High School

Brayden Johnson, Lamont N. Wilson ROTC Scholarship recipient and one of twenty statewide U.S. Presidential Scholar candidates, visits the Washington Monument, Washington, DC.

The Lawton Business Women’s Club exists to help improve the lives of working women through advocacy, education, and philanthropy. As a Lawton Business Women’s club member, Nell Franklin served as its president from 1955-1956 because she was passionate about women’s role in the community. Ms. Franklin loved the Lawton community and wanted to help students earn an education so they, in turn, could help improve our community.

In 1974 she left a gift in her will to support the Lawton Women’s Past President’s Club – and with that gift, she wanted to invest the principal and use the investment distributions to fund scholarships to help ordinary students graduating from Lawton High School to have the ability to attend college. Within the last few years, the club transferred the investment to the Lawton Community Foundation because the Foundation was easy to work with, and the club no longer had to worry about the administrative duties of the fund.

Kymbré Muse and Savannah Layeski are recent recipients of the Nell Franklin Scholarship. Because of Ms. Franklin’s generosity, they know they have a support system to help them succeed.

Savannah worked with her mother to fill out the application, and when she found out she was a recipient, she was in a school assembly. “Receiving this scholarship means I have a better chance of paying for college. I am a Junior, and once I graduate from Cameron, I want to advance my studies to become a chiropractor,” Savannah said.

Higher Education Should be Available to All Scholarship Endowments

Kymbré Muse

2022 Nell Franklin Scholarship

Savannah Layeski 2021 Nell Franklin Scholarship

Community Grants

The Community Grants program awards grants of up to $5,000 to support projects geared toward improving the quality of life and providing opportunities for Lawton-area citizens. In the Fiscal year 2022, $61,500 in grants were awarded to 13 charitable organizations. For more information on our Community Grants program, visit LawtonCF.org.

Center for Creative Living

$4,000 for the CCL Senior Nutrition Program. CCL provides a hot, nutritious lunch three days a week for approximately 40 senior citizens. In addition, they offer a home-delivered meal to 65 homebound seniors daily. This will allow CCL to purchase a meat slicer, food warmer and another shelf prep area to help prepare the meals.

Citizens Caring for Children

$2,500 to help the organization take their Resource Center mobile by creating Mobile Foster Futures. This will expand the CCC Resource Center to foster families and children in rural Oklahoma. They will expand mobile appointments to serve additional children each season, and each child will receive new clothing, shoes, books, hygiene items and more.

Crossroads Youth & Family Services

This $5,000 grant will serve as matching funds for the Lawton Early Childhood Education Program in partnership with Community Action Project (CAP) Tulsa. The program serves children from birth through age three and their families with free research-based childcare.

Giddy Up ‘N Go, Inc.

This $5,000 grant will be used to care for the horses. The services are for veterinarian expenses, farrier expenses, and stable board.

Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma

$5,000 to help Girl Scouting in Lawton rebuild membership and programming after the devastating losses they experienced with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hearts that Care Volunteer Health Clinic

$5,000 to help with pharmacy operations. In 2021, 223 unique patients were seen in 346 appointments through both medical and dental clinics. The total value of appointments was $195,441. The total number of patients seen increased by 15 percent.

Infant Crisis Service

$5,000 for the Infant Crisis Services BabyMobile: Meeting Hunger Where it Lives initiative. This is a massive community need. Many clients reported that the lack of reliable transportation and distance to their office significantly hindered their ability to receive services for their babies.

Lawton Family YMCA

$5,000 for pool sound baffles. These sound baffles will be hung vertically from the ceiling to help mitigate the echo and sound issues.

Lawton Police Department

$5,000 to send a key police executive to the Southern Police Institute for succession planning and training.

Teen Court

$5,000 for Delinquency Prevention educational classes consisting of 18 hours of education for up to 950 at-risk youth.

Lawton Public School Foundation

$5,000 for LPS Life Ready Center: Getting Ready for Art! Program. LPS has teamed up with local educational partners Cameron University and Great Plains Technology Center to provide on-site programs, courses, and resources for students across the district. It provides art supplies to support eight art courses available to LPS students.

USO Oklahoma

$5,000 for USO Oklahoma for USO Fort Sill Center supplies. This will serve active duty, guard, and reserve military and their dependents regardless of branch and rank. This will allow them to enjoy free WI-FI, the use of computers, gaming, snacks and refreshments.

Women That Vote Arts Corporation

$5,000 for the Celebrating Suffrage Sculpture Project. This sculpture will be placed in Shepler Park, and each woman depicted in the statue will represent five ethnic groups.

For more information on our Community Grants program, visit: LawtonCF.org

Matching Grants

Additionally, the Lawton Community Foundation offered $2,500 in matching dollars for $5,000 in gifts made to existing endowments through the matching grants program. In 2022, 13 charitable organization endowments received $2,500 each for a total of $32,500 in matching grant dollars.

Empowering Girls with Courage, Confidence, and Character

The Girls Scouts of Western Oklahoma were awarded a $5,000 grant from the Lawton Community Foundation to help revive Girl Scouts programming in Comanche County through a dedicated in-person recruitment effort. They accomplished this through membership scholarships, marketing, and support for new and established troops.

The goal was to enroll 300 Lawton girls, and as of this date, they achieved their goal and more. Twenty-five of the girls were given scholarships thanks to the Foundation. These scholarships remove barriers so all girls can participate regardless of their socio-economic status. Troops rely heavily on this revenue to provide funds for supplies and field trips. The grant allowed for three new troops, and despite Covid restrictions, the Girl Scout staff provided troops with start-up kits and other support sources, allowing the girls to meet and have in-person activities.

The Girl Scout troops in Lawton were pleased with the grant award process. They appreciated everything the Lawton Community Foundation did to support the girls as they continued to build girls of courage, confidence, and character.

Learn more about grant opportunities for area nonprofits: occf.org/Lawton/grantopportunities

Arts for All Cache School Scholarship

Christian Family Counseling Center Comanche County Memorial Hospital Foundation

First United Methodist Church Foundation of Lawton

Friends of Ft. Sill

Greater Lawton Rotary Club

General Donald R. Keith Memorial Scholarship

Lawton Athletic Foundation Lawton Public School Foundation

Bernice Ford Price Library Endowment

Western Trail Historical Society

World Christian Broadcasting

Lawton Girl Scouts at the Lawton Farmer’s Market

Mountains

by Dennis Spielman

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