Greater PineBelt Community Foundation

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Catholic Schools Celebrate Legacy of Monsignor Joseph Mercier

Catholic Schools Week is January 30 – February 5, and all across the country Catholic schools are celebrating the positive contributions that the schools, their students, and graduates bring to the nation.

Sacred Heart Catholic School (SHCS) is no exception. Our local Catholic School has been a cornerstone of the Catholic community, as well as downtown Hattiesburg, for over 110 years. Many people have seen their lives blessed by Sacred Heart Catholic School and the high level of service provided to the local community. One graduate of Sacred Heart Catholic School, Monsignor Joseph Mercier, continues to support Catholic education.

“Monsignor Mercier became an ordained priest in 1955 and has continued to serve the Catholic community in numerous roles for over 55 years,” stated Andy Mercier, Monsignor’s nephew. “The extended Mercier family is very proud of Monsignor Mercier having served the Catholic Church and the youth of the diocese for so long and we are grateful to be able to establish seed money for this fund in his honor”

Monsignor Mercier has been deeply involved in the education of Catholic youth as the majority of his assignments connected the church and Catholic schools. He has taught at three Catholic high schools in Mississippi, and while he served at Sacred Heart parish, he also served the Catholic students at the University of Southern Mississippi as chaplain of the Newman Club on campus.

Mercier served as assistant pastor at St. Mary, Jackson; Nativity BVM Parish, Biloxi; St. John the Evangelist, Gulfport; and Sacred Heart Parish, Hattiesburg. He was also the pastor of Christ the King and of Holy Family in Jackson; Sacred Heart, Pascagoula, St. John the Evangelist, Gulfport; and Sacred Heart Parish, Dedeaux, where he also served as director of the Cursillo Movement of South Mississippi. Mercier also served on the Diocesan Board of Consultors, Clergy Council, Diocesan Liturgical Commission, Personnel Board, Synodal Examiner, and Parish Priest Consultor. In addition,

Although Monsignor Mercier is retired, his ministry with the Cursillo Movement and his availability to help out at parishes keep him active in the diocesan community.

“Monsignor Mercier has touched the lives of thousands of parishioners and students throughout his years of service to the Catholic community,” stated Brian McCrory, principal of Sacred Heart Catholic School.

“I am confident in saying on behalf of all priest in the diocese that we are proud for Monsignor Mercier to have this perpetual fund established in his honor” stated Father Ken Landry of Sacred Heart Church. “He is a priest we all should like to emulate for his dedication to the church and his fellow priest.

“I have worked with him for 25 years and have seen God work miracles through him. He is an extraordinarily dedicated Christian and priest,” stated Father Tommy Conway, the priest of St. Thomas Catholic Church.

For his unwavering dedication to the future of the Catholic faith and to honor Monsignor Joseph Mercier, an Endowment was established at The Greater PineBelt Foundation. This Endowment will provide financial assistance to students and funding for specific projects that benefit the students of Sacred Heart Catholic School.

Anyone also wishing to honor Monsignor Mercier can do so by making a tax-deductible donation to The Greater PineBelt Community Foundation and marking “Catholic Education Fund” in the memo line. Please mail your donation to 1507 Hardy Street, Suite 208, Hattiesburg, MS 39401.

For more information about the PineBelt Foundation, please visit www.PineBeltFoundation.org, www.Facebook.com/PineBeltFoundation or call 601.583.6180.

Filed under: Church, Featured, Hattiesburg, K-12, Religion, Andy Mercier, Catholic Education Fund, education, Greater PineBelt Community Foundation, Greater PineBelt Foundation, Hattiesburg, Joseph Mercier, Ken Landry, Sacred Heart Catholic School, Tommy Conway, University of Southern Mississippi

New Officers & Directors Named For The Greater PineBelt Community Foundation

The Greater PineBelt Community Foundation has named new officers and directors for 2011.  New officers include:

· President:  Hayden Mitchell, Executive Vice President, The First – A National Banking Association

· Vice President: Iris Easterling, Department of English, William Carey University

· Secretary:  Paul Laughlin, First Vice President & Trust Officer, Trustmark Bank

· Treasurer: Richard Topp, Partner, Nicholson and Company, PLLC

· Immediate Past President:  Ed Langton, Chairman and CEO, Grand Bank

New Directors include:

· Alex Agnew, CFO, Hattiesburg Clinic

· Mike Axton, ChFC, CLU, Corporate and Endowment Solutions, Inc.

· Jim Compton, General Manager & CEO, South Mississippi Electric Power Association

· Dr. Frances Karnes, Director, The Frances A. Karnes Center for Gifted Studies

· Michelle Mabry, CFP®, AIF®, Senior Financial Officer, Wealth Management Consultants

· Joshua Mars, JD, LLM, Copeland, Cook, Taylor and Bush, P.A.

· Dr. Steve Ramp, JD, Pastor Westminster Presbyterian Church

· Jon Mark Weathers, JD, University Council, The University of Southern Mississippi

The new officers and board of directors are joined by current board members: Dr. Ben Carmichael, Retired Cardiologist with Hattiesburg Clinic; Mike Collins, Mississippi Power; David Fortenberry, Stewart Sneed Hewes; Drew Foxworth, Foxworth & Shephard, P.A.; Bernard Green, Bernard Green Insurance, Inc; William P. “Phil” Hanberry, Hanco Corp; Dan Kibodeaux, United Way of Southeast Mississippi; Edward J. “Ed” Langton, Grand Bank; Morgan McCarty, Regions Bank; Stace Mercier, USM Foundation;Gene Owens, Owens Business Machines, Inc; Lucy Parkman, Community Leader; Michael Shemper, Michael J. Shemper, PLLC; Ralph Simmons, retired Vice President, Sunbeam-Oyster Corporation; Sheila Varnado, R3SM, Inc; and Benny Waddle, Hancock Bank.

Board of Directors who have served since the inception of the PineBelt Foundation and who will be rolling off the Board of Directors include:  Robert Jackson, Sr., Gwen James, Andy Leslie, Dr. Aubrey Lucas, Andy Mercier, and Wanda Simpson.

Other Board of Directors rolling off include:  Dr. Richard Clark, Skippy Haik, Bob Pierce, Lou Ann Poynter, Mike Ratcliff, Andy Stetelman, Dr. Christy Thornton, Larry Watson, and Jim Yelverton.

The mission of The Greater PineBelt Community Foundation is to build better communities through philanthropy.  The PineBelt Foundation, a 501(c)(3), manages numerous charitable funds set up by compassionate donors who want to leave a legacy and make a difference.  Some of the endowed funds include United Way, The Domestic Abuse Family Shelter, The Association for the Rights for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities (ARC), The DuBard School for Language Disorders, The Family YMCA and The Southern Pines Animal Shelter.

For more information about the PineBelt Foundation, please visit www.PineBeltFoundation.org, www.Facebook.com/PineBeltFoundation or call 601.583.6180.

Filed under: Business, Featured, Forrest County, Jones County, Lamar County, Alex Agnew, Andy Leslie, Andy Mercier, Andy Stetelman, Association for the Rights for Individuals, Aubrey Lucas, Ben Carmichael, Bernard Green Insurance Inc, Bob Pierce, Christy Thornton, Dan Kibodeaux, David Fortenberry, Department of English, Drew Foxworth, DuBard School for Language Disorders, Ed Langton, Endowment Solutions Inc., Frances A. Karnes Center for Gifted Studies, Frances Karnes, Gene Owens, Grand Bank, Greater PineBelt Community Foundation, Gwen James, Hanco Corp, Hancock Bank, Hattiesburg Clinic, Hayden Mitchell, Iris Easterling, Jim Compton, Jim Yelverton, Jon Mark, Larry Watson, Lou Ann Poynter, Lucy Parkman, Mike Axton, Mike Collins, Mike Ratcliff, Mississippi Electric Power Association, Other Board of Directors, Owens Business Machines Inc, Pastor Westminster Presbyterian Church, Paul Laughlin, Ralph Simmons, REGIONS BANK, Richard Clark, Richard Topp, Robert Jackson Sr., Sheila Varnado, Stace Mercier, Steve Ramp, Stewart Sneed Hewes, The Domestic Abuse Family Shelter, The Southern Pines Animal Shelter, Trustmark Bank, USM Foundation, Wanda Simpson, William Carey University

How can I give Back this Holiday Season? | Greater PineBelt Community Foundation

With the recent announcement of Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder of Facebook, to give away most of his wealth, attention has been drawn to charitable giving this holiday season.

“People wait until late in their career to give back. But why wait when there is so much to be done?” said Mark Zuckerberg, co-founder, CEO, and president of Facebook. “With a generation of younger folks who have thrived on the success of their companies, there is a big opportunity for many of us to give back earlier in our lifetime and see the impact of our philanthropic efforts.” Echoing his sentiments, the PineBelt Foundation continues to focus on charitable giving at all stages of life.

The holiday season is wonderful time to give back to an organization or charitable cause that you are passionate about.  And by giving through the PineBelt Foundation, you know that your donation will work to enhance your community. Whether you are establishing an endowment or scholarship fund or giving to one of our recognized 68 charitable funds, you are creating a better community in which to live.

“Donors love the simplicity of establishing and supporting a fund through the PineBelt Foundation,” said Ed Langton, President of the Board of Directors. “The foundation handles all administrative, legal, accounting and investment matters for the donor. And, if donors open a Donor Advised Fund (one type of Fund at the PineBelt Foundation), they can get a tax deduction before the end of the year, and decide next year which charity to give to.”

Contributions to funds may be made at any time with cash, securities, real estate, or other types of assets.  Or, contributions also may be made at a future date through deferred gifts such as life insurance, qualified retirement benefits, bequests, charitable remainder trusts, and charitable gift annuities.  This is the time of year to think about what you are passionate about and how you would like to give back.

PineBelt Foundation recently opened an endowment for ARC

The Greater PineBelt Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that connects people with charitable causes that matter to them. “The Pine Belt region has benefited tremendously this year from the charitable efforts of The Greater PineBelt Community Foundation” said Langton. “In 2010 we gave over $300,000 in grants to support various charitable projects.”

Some examples of our funds and the impact on the community include:

>       Safety in Numbers Fund – The ADP Leadership PineBelt 2010 class put up house numbers in the Palmer’s Crossing area to assist emergency personnel.

>       Operation: Kover Our K-9s – Chris Cook and concerned citizens provided bullet-proof vests to six police dogs.

>       Dig A Well Fund started by Harrison St. John built a water well in Africa.

>       Angel Face Foundation Fund led by Holliman St. John helped a class attend a school field trip.

>       Extra Table led by Robert St. John helps feed the hungry.

>       Hearing Maximized led by Dr. Peggy Carlin helped Tegucigalpa’s school for the Deaf in Honduras.

>       Numerous Scholarships – over 50 students received $1,000+ in scholarships to schools across the country.

>       The Family Y received a $23,500 grant from their endowment.

>       The Southern Pines Animal Shelter received a $2,300 grant from their endowment.

>       Sumrall Development Fund – to assist the town of Sumrall.

Currently the PineBelt Foundation has endowments for the United Way of Southeast Mississippi and four of their agencies:  Domestic Abuse Family Shelter, Association for the Rights of Individuals with Developmental Disabilities (ARC), The Family Y, and DuBard School for Language Disorders.

“Establishing an endowment with the PineBelt Foundation makes financial sense for a non-profit,” said Dan Kibodeaux, United Way Executive Director. “An endowment is invested for long-term growth and the income from the investment is used support the agency’s operations.”

“We are so grateful for all that we have been given and giving back to a charitable organization that you are passionate about is just another way of saying thanks,” added Kibodeaux.

For a complete list of active funds with the PineBelt Foundation or for additional information, please visit www.PineBeltFoundation.org, www.facebook.com/PineBeltFoundation, or call 601.583.6080.

Filed under: Business, Featured, Lifestyle, Angel Face Foundation Fund, Charitable organization, Charities, Chris Cook, Community foundation, Dan Kibodeaux, Domestic Abuse Family Shelter, Donor advised fund, DuBard School for Language Disorders, Ed Langton, Fundraising, Greater PineBelt Community Foundation, Harrison St. John, Holliman St. John, Peggy Carlin, PineBelt Foundation, Robert St. John, Sumrall Development Fund, The Southern Pines Animal Shelter

Greater PineBelt Community Foundation Celebrates Community Foundation Week

During the week of November 12 – 18, the Greater PineBelt Community Foundation (PineBelt Foundation) will join more than 700 community foundations across America celebrating Community Foundation Week.

The PineBelt Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, was formed as a charitable organization to receive gifts (cash, stock, property, life insurance, etc.) from individuals, businesses, and organizations who wish to support not-for-profit organizations or charitable causes in the Pine Belt.  The organization was formed in 1997 by local civic leaders through the Area Development Partnership’s Leaders for a New Century. Currently the PineBelt Foundation manages 68 Funds and has assets of $1.5 million.

The PineBelt Foundation is governed by a thirty-four member board of directors who represent a broad cross section of community leaders in the Pine Belt area.  These Directors are servant leaders who commit their time and service to help enhance their community.

In a down economy, with limited resources, and a growing need for services to help families in need, we are more determined than ever to bring our community partners together to find innovative and effective solutions to help with the needs of our community” said Theresa Erickson, Executive Director of the PineBelt Foundation. “One of our goals is to help grow endowed funds for United Way agencies and other non-profit organizations. To date, generous donors have started endowments for the following United Way agencies:  United Way of South Mississippi, The Domestic Abuse Family Shelter (capital campaign), The Family Y, the DuBard School for Language Disorders, and The Association for the Rights for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities.”

“Donor-advised funds within community foundations seem to be a wave of the future throughout the country,” added Erickson.  “Donor advised funds offer donors a way to stay actively involved with their giving. Once such a fund is established, the donor maintains a relationship with the foundation advising on what charitable causes he / she would like to support.

Where organizations might once have created and managed their own endowments and where once individuals might have established small family foundations, community foundations have arisen to consolidate efforts and costs. “One misconception is that you have to be wealthy to have a fund at the PineBelt Foundation,” said Erickson.  “The fact is that a donor doesn’t need to be wealthy to create an individual fund. We can combine the gifts of individuals to support their charitable passion(s).”

In the wake of the recent announcement that more than 40 of America’s billionaires will donate a majority of their fortunes to charity, the role and impact of philanthropy and community foundations is being redefined. Community foundations represent one of the fastest-growing forms of philanthropy in the United States and hold nearly $50 billion in assets, according to Foundation Center. Every state in the United States is home to at least one community foundation — large and small, urban, and rural – and they are creating solutions to a wide range of social issues.

“America’s community foundations are on the frontlines of a tremendous shift in philanthropy and how we do business differently in a high-tech, rapidly changing world,” said Steve Gunderson, president and chief executive officer of the Council on Foundations. “These organizations are leading the charge by bringing communities together, galvanizing resources, and maximizing their impact to advance the public good.”

The mission of the PineBelt Foundation is to connect people who care with the causes that matter to enrich the quality of life in the Pine Belt area.  “We are committed to improving the lives of people in our community,” added Erickson.

For more information on the Greater Pine Belt Foundation, call 601.583.6180 or visit www.PineBeltFoundation.org.

Filed under: Forrest County, Hattiesburg, Jones County, Lamar County, Oak Grove, Petal, Purvis, Area Development Partnership, Community foundation, DuBard School for Language Disorders, Greater Pine Belt Foundation, Greater PineBelt Community Foundation, PineBelt Foundation, The Domestic Abuse Family Shelter, The Family Y, Theresa Erickson, United Way of South Mississippi

The Greater PineBelt Foundation Awards over $55,000 in Scholarships

The Greater PineBelt Community Foundation has awarded 52 scholarships to outstanding applicants who displayed notable academic achievements,extracurricular participation, and community service. Scholarship recipients represented over 22 different colleges and universities across the country. Congratulations to all of our scholarship recipients and to our scholarship donors, whose generous donations are making a different in many students’ lives.

Edward J. “Ed” Langton Scholarship recipient is Heather Argenbright, William Carey College.

Merchants Company Scholarship recipients are Jaden Kimberlyn Brown, Southern Union Community College; Nathaniel Garrett Burkett, Jones County Junior College; Isaac Craft, University of Mississippi; Brittany Nicole Dennis, Jefferson State Community College; Burke Ellzey, Jr., University of Southern Mississippi; Chase Enfinger, Wallace Community College; Allyson Nicole Foster, Southern Union Community College; Jennifer Lynn Granlund, Piedmont College; Andrew Dale Hanberry, Mississippi State University; Elizabeth Jones, Florida State University;Laura Lester, Clemson University; Jillian Rhea Luby, University of Mississippi; Ann Marie Mercier, University of Mississippi; Dantwan Smith, Mississippi University for Women; Sherren Smith Young, Meridian Community College; Shatarial Toney, Mississippi State University; Drew Townsend, University of Mississippi; Collin Whitten, University of Alabama; and Tiara Willis, Millsaps College.

Mississippi Tank Scholarship recipients are Jenna Lynn Baker, University of Southern Mississippi; Jessica Danielle Barry, University of Southern Mississippi; La’Kia Booth, William Carey University; Brianna Dumas, William Carey University; Kendrell Hendricks, Jones County Community College; Tania Jordan, William Carey University; Brandie McCardle, Jones County Junior College; Natasha McGill, William Carey University; Ashley Nicole Merritt, Pearl River Community College; William Norman, University of Southern Mississippi; Ashton Welton, Vincennes University; and Will Williams, Jones County Junior College.

Nordan Smith Scholarship recipients are Kaylen Addison, University of Mississippi; David Benjamin Bankston, Jones County Junior College; Jessica Byrd, Mississippi State University; Tierney Gregory, Jackson State University; Tabitha Lowery, South Arkansas University; Chesley Murphy, Texas A & M University; Jennifer Leigh Stinson, Delta State University; and Alexandra Walthall, University of Central Arkansas.

Willmut Gas & Oil Scholarship recipients are Lynn Daniels, William Carey University; Darren Leverette, William Carey University; Shelby McCaleb, Jones County Junior College; Joshua Cody Triplett, Pearl River Community College; and Hunter Upton, Mississippi State University.

Women’s Continuing Education Fund scholarship recipients are Fragile Chandler, University of Phoenix; Georgia Love Graham, Mississippi State University; Monica Jones, Mississippi University for Women; Juwana Rhine, Itawamba Community College; Jennifer Leigh Stinson, Liberty University Online; Mahnaz Wahidi, Mississippi State University; and Talisha R. Woods, Liberty University Online.

The PineBelt Foundation’s mission is to build better communities through philanthropy.  Specifically, one of our goals is to be the vehicle for those who wish to provide educational opportunities for deserving students.

For more information about The Greater PineBelt Community Foundation or one of our scholarship funds, call 601.583.6180 or visit www.PineBeltFoundation.org.

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Filed under: Ellisville, Featured, Forrest County, Hattiesburg, Jones, Jones County, Lamar County, Laurel, Marion County, Oak Grove, Pearl River, Petal, Purvis, Sumrall, USM, William Carey, Greater PineBelt Community Foundation, Jones County Junior College, Millsaps College, Mississippi State University, Mississippi University for Women, Pearl River Community College, University of Mississippi, University of Southern Mississippi, William Carey University

Lifelong Philanthropist Makes Donation to DuBard School

Charles Guidroz has established a donor advised fund to benefit the DuBard School for Language Disorders at Southern Miss.

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Philanthropist Charles Guidroz has parlayed his appreciation for the DuBard School for Language Disorders at The University of Southern Mississippi into a donor advised fund through The Greater PineBelt Community Foundation.

“Thank you so very much for coming here and giving me and my family the ideal giving program in which I have already experienced a sweet joy greater than I could have imagined,” said Guidroz, who resides in Foley, Ala. “I chose the DuBard School because I am familiar with what is accomplished there. I have visited the school and met some of the instructors there.”

Guidroz and his son, Kevin Guidroz, decided to open the fund because of their compassion for those who have attended the DuBard School. Charles Guidroz has auditory dyslexia but did not realize he had the disorder until adulthood.

“He joked with me, stating that his life would have been very different if he had realized why he didn’t pick things up as easily as others,” said Theresa Erickson, executive director of The Greater PineBelt Community Foundation. “Because of his challenges, he is truly passionate to help children at the DuBard School.”

Erickson explained that a donor advised fund mimics the benefits of a private foundation, but without the burdensome and expensive legalities of setting up a private or corporate foundation.

“For those individuals who haven’t decided which charity to give to, the donor advised fund is a perfect vehicle,” she said. “They can set up a fund, get an immediate tax deduction for the gift (cash, stock, property) and postpone the decision regarding which nonprofit to give it to until they are ready.”

The DuBard School is a clinical division of the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences at Southern Miss and serves children with severe language-speech and hearing disorders. The school has served hundreds of children since 1962. Approximately 40 percent of the $18,000 annual cost per enrolled student must be raised through donations.

“My ultimate hope for the DuBard School is that there will be no child or instructor that does not meet their potential because of a shortage of funds – especially for learning,” said Guidroz. “I hope that I can add additional funds every year.”

The Greater PineBelt Foundation oversees two funds for the DuBard School. For more information about the DuBard School and to make charitable contributions call the school at 601.266.5223 or the PineBelt Foundation at 601.583.6180. Also, visit either Web site at www.usm.edu/dubard or www.PineBeltFoundation.org

From USM Public Relations

Filed under: Featured, Forrest County, Hattiesburg, USM, Business/Finance, Charles Guidroz, Community foundation, DuBard School, DuBard School for Language Disorders, Greater PineBelt Community Foundation, Greater PineBelt Foundation, Hattiesburg, Kevin Guidroz, mississippi, PineBelt Foundation, The University of Southern Mississippi, Theresa Erickson, University of Southern Mississippi