(Western Springs, IL) The Legacy Guild, a local nonprofit has distributed an additional $216,500 in college scholarships to 74 students living in Lyons Township District 204 who have lost a parent. Founded in 2012, the local charity has now provided over $1.5 millionin college scholarships to 216 area students. Checks were presented at the annual Scholars luncheon on Sunday, June 12, 2022.

Each full-time Legacy Guild Scholar was awarded a $3,000 scholarship renewable for up to four years of undergraduate college – a commitment of up to $12,000 per student. This amount is an increase of an additional $500 annually from recent years due to the overwhelming success of a fundraiser event held on April 30.

Legacy Guild Board Member and Scholarship Committee member Ned Sher of La Grange said, “What we provide is more than just a monetary gift. Scholars and their families appreciate the networking and mentoring assistance.”

A recent note from a Scholar illustrates the impact, “Thank you for the continuous support of my family and the community. It is a reminder that someone always cares; a feeling I have come to realize is priceless. You make the world, our world, just a little more caring.”

The Legacy Guild serves all communities within the District 204 boundaries. Current scholars represent Brookfield, Burr Ridge, Countryside, Indian Head Park, La Grange, La Grange Highlands, La Grange Park, and Western Springs. The listing of the 2022-2023 recipients can be viewed here.

“We are humbled by the overwhelming generosity and support of our donors especially at our April 30 fundraiser,” commented Ryan Williamson, Legacy Guild President. He added, “That event brought 425 guests in our community together and raised over $190,000 net to support students in the District 204 area. We are so proud to be able to increase our annual scholarship commitment to our Scholars.”

The Legacy Guild is also proud to announce that Universal Technical Institute (UTI), recently established an annual scholarship program for one Legacy Guild Scholar to enroll and attend a program at their Lisle, IL campus. This is The Legacy Guild’s first higher education partnership and demonstrates a unique opportunity to provide our Scholars the option of pursuing a quality education and training for in-demand careers. UTI is the nation’s leading provider of technical training for automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine technicians, and offers welding technology and computer numerical control machining.

Scholars and their families were invited to our annual Scholar luncheon held on Sunday, June 12, 2022 at the Village Club of Western Springs. In addition to distributing scholarship checks, it was an opportunity for scholars to connect with board members and key guests and learn networking and interviewing tips.

To learn more about The Legacy Guild or its upcoming fundraisers or to make a donation, visit www.TheLegacyGuild.com. The 11th annual Legacy Guild Golf Outing Fundraiser will be held on Thursday, September 29, 2022 at the La Grange Country Club. Further details can be found on our website.