Montgomery, NY – The Jodi’s Drive Scholarship Fund was recently created within the Community Foundation to award scholarships to graduating seniors at Warwick Valley High School.  The Fund was established in honor and memory of Jodi-Ann Denmead who passed away at the age of 47 in 2009 after a courageous battle with breast cancer.

This Fund was established by family and friends of Jodi-Ann Denmead, a loving wife and proud mother, dedicated community volunteer, and an avid sports fan.  Jodi’s “drive” to make the world a better place through her support of many community initiatives will be celebrated and honored through the scholarships that will be awarded from this fund.

In November 2012, friends and families gathered at Chateau Hathorn in Warwick to hold a fundraising event for the scholarship fund.  Almost $9,000 was raised for The Jodi’s Drive Scholarship Fund.  An annual event is planned for October 2013 and each successive October tied to Breast Cancer Awareness Month, to raise awareness for The Jodi’s Drive Scholarship Fund and the scholarships it awards.  Through the scholarship fund, at least $500 will be awarded annually to a graduating Warwick Valley High School senior who has volunteered in the community each school year at least 10 hours per week while school is in session, maintained at least an 80% average in all classes, and been involved in at least two different school teams, clubs or other school-related activities each school year.  An essay is also required. The deadline to apply for the scholarship is April 2, 2013 in the Guidance Office of Warwick Valley High School.

The Community Foundation manages charitable funds and handles all of the fiscal reporting and administration for each charitable fund under its umbrella, thereby keeping administration costs much lower than a private foundation, and allowing more dollars to flow toward grants and scholarships.  “We are honored to administer this charitable fund on behalf of the Denmead family to benefit graduating students of Warwick Valley High School who emulate Jodi-Ann’s values and love for her community,” said Karen VanHouten Minogue, Executive Director of the Community Foundation.

Contributions to The Jodi’s Drive Scholarship Fund may be made to CFOS-The Jodi’s Drive Scholarship Fund and sent to the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, 30 Scott’s Corners Drive, Suite 202, Montgomery, NY 12549.   Donations may also be made on-line at www.cfoc-ny.org.  The Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.  All gifts are tax deductible under current tax laws.