CY-FAIR EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION CELEBRATES 40^TH ANNIVERSARY

Celebrating its 40^th anniversary this year, the Cy-Fair Educational Foundation(CFEF) is sending out a message of appreciation to the community for four decades of support exemplified by a phenomenally successful annual golf tournament that recently raised $111,000 for Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District student scholarships and teacher grants.

CFEF and its major fund-raisers - the B.F. Adam Classic golf tournament, Salute to the Stars Gala and Salute to Our Heroes – were built on a foundation of success.

Dr. Karl Bleyl, a Cy-Fair educator and science consultant, launched the movement to create a scholarship fund for Cy-Fair ISD students in the late 1960s. His idea caught on and Allen Labay, then deputy superintendent of Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, Reverend F.J. Aragon, the pastor of Christ United Church, Jim Blackman, shipping manager for Foley's, and attorney Herman Mead met and agreed to establish an education foundation. 

In 1970  CFEF was born and leaders of the new non-profit entity started raising money to fund a scholarship that would help a Cy-Fair ISD graduating senior on his or her way.

 At that time there was only one high school in the rural school district in far northwest Harris County.

"The vision of the founders of the Cy-Fair Educational Foundation 40 years ago has far exceeded their dream," said Debbie Blackshear, CFEF's 2010 board chairman. "Today, we not only continue to award scholarships at all of our high schools, but we also raise funds for Instructional Excellence grants for teachers which impacts all of the students in CFISD." 

"I believe that our founders could not have imagined that a mere 40 years later, Cy-Fair ISD would be over 100,000 students and have 11 high schools," Blackshear said.  "CFEF has continued a proud legacy of making college education possible for students." 

Community leader and CFEF supporter John Fox spearheaded the first annual CFEF golf tournament in 1988, which raised $3,500 for student scholarships.

Marie Holmes, CFEF's executive director, said she is grateful, but not surprised, that the Cy-Fair community's businesses and individuals have over the years matched their level of support to the growing need for funding for scholarships and teachers grants.

"The ever-increasing need for scholarship funds comes from many directions, including the rising cost of post-secondary education and Cy-Fair ISD's booming student population, which increases every year," Holmes said. "Each year we go to our community and ask for more support to meet those needs, and each year they deliver."

The CFEF board has also strengthened the Foundation's Endowment Program so that students get the financial assistance they need to take the next step in their post-graduate educational endeavors.

Endowed funds are invested in total, and each year only a portion of the invested income earned is spent while the remainder is added to the original principal.  Endowments may be established in the amounts of $20,000, $50,000, $100,000 or more and can be named for private individuals, corporations and organizations, in memory of individuals and in honor of individuals. A scholarship will be awarded on an annual basis once the endowment is fully funded.

Whether contributed through CFEF's share programs, gift program, fund-raisers, or the endowment program, the end goal is the most important for the Foundation and its supporters: Helping hundreds of Cy-Fair ISD students reach their fullest educational potential through scholarship opportunities.

"CFEF has a proud legacy of making a college education possible through scholarships for Cy-Fair ISD graduates," Blackshear said.  "The letters received from scholarship recipients after they have graduated from college, telling us what a difference it has made in their lives, gives our trustees the impetus to strive to raise more dollars for scholarships." 

·         Salute to the Stars – October 28, 2010

·         Salute to Our Heroes – February 12, 2011