Columbus Rotary Club hosts CEF guest speakers

Columbus Rotary Club received a thrilling update at their December meeting from the Columbus Education Foundation. CEF’s efforts to strengthen educational opportunities in CISD is moving forward with record- setting speed. Guest speakers included a trio of CEF Board members Shannan Gerik, Heather Thomas and Becca Edmiston. They recognized the generosity of individuals and businesses in the community for their incredible support to improve their lives.

Of particular interest was CEF’s progress in the “Pathway to Possibilities Matching Gift Campaign.” Becca Edmiston, CEF treasurer, enthusiastically shared one of 2025’s del ightful “surprises.” An anonymous donor agreed to match donations up to $50,000 for scholarships that will open doors for Columbus seniors pursuing college degrees or trade/job skill certifications in health care, mental health and skilled trades. That match has the potential of doubling the impact and multiplying the possibility to improve futures with additional education and training after graduation.

As of mid-December, over $41,000 has been raised with the “Matching Gift Campaign!” Heather Thomas, CEF Scholarship chair, added, “Any donation amount adds up fast when it’s doubled and means more scholarships with larger amounts.” The deadline for the matching campaign is Dec. 31, 2025. Donations can be made online at www.ColumbusEducationFoun-dation. orgsent to CEF, PO Box 203, Columbus, TX 78934. Call 979-733-2122 with any questions.

Another exciting update included CEF Classroom Grants by Shannan Gerik, retired teacher and chair of the Grant Committee. She explained, “With limited budgets, teachers usually find themselves unable to fulfill their big, creative dreams. These CEF ‘special project’ grants open new opportunities to think again on those dreams for teachers in grades K-12. CEF greatly appreciates teachers and this is one way that CEF and our community can reach out and thank them.”

Gerik passionately shared her delight in seeing something new in 2025 applications; a team of teachers from a department worked together to apply for a grant sharing equipment and supplies to affect a greater number of students. All of these efforts translate into a more stimulating classroom experience AND excited teachers. Stay tuned in January for details of the 2025-2026 winners of the grants.

CEF is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation founded in Nov. 2021, with a two-fold purpose of creating scholarships for CISD students and funding special projects in the classroom (K-12) to enhance learning. CEF is all about working to create stronger futures for CISD students with the help of a generous community. www.ColumbusEducationFoundation. org.