The Hemingford community has gratefully received a generous $50,000 gift, established as an enduring tribute to Charles and Dorothy Ray. Of this sum, $10,000 will be allocated to the Hemingford Scholarship Foundation, while the remaining $40,000 will be directed to the Hemingford Community Foundation.
On behalf of the Ray family, they shared why this gift was so important to them, “Charles and Dorothy Ray never wanted to live anywhere else, other than Hemingford. Charles and Dorothy were born and raised in Hemingford and spent all their adult lives living in the town that they loved. They owned and operated Silver Line Salvage and Treasurers and Trash, working hard in the community of Hemingford to help others. They chose to put down roots, and they decided where they wanted them to grow. Raising 3 children; Dan, Jerry, and Jodeen, they instilled the values of a small town in their family. The family would like to share in the strength of community displayed by Charles and Dorothy Ray by contributing to the Hemingford Community Foundation and the Hemingford Scholarship Foundation.”
Charles passed away in 2009. Dorothy lived in Hemingford until 2022 when she moved closer to her son in Rapid City and recently passed away in November 2023. Just prior to Dorothy’s passing, she generously gifted $10,000 split between the Hemingford Community Foundation and the Hemingford Scholarship Foundation.
A portion of these funds were invested in a Holiday Chamber Buck promotion offering a 10% bonus to anyone that purchased Hemingford Chamber Bucks in November and December. The Foundation committee was delighted to see $13,200 in Chamber Bucks purchased and remaining in Hemingford Chamber businesses.
The Hemingford Community Foundation expresses profound gratitude for this generous tribute to the Rays. Since its establishment in 2017, the Foundation has served as a platform for community giving. The board is committed to ensuring that this substantial donation is strategically invested throughout the community, making a visible and impactful difference.
The Foundation board has prioritized the following areas for the next three years:
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Strategic Giving
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Maximizing 501(c)3 Access
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Community Presence
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Strategic Partnerships
The board is comprised of Jessica Davies, April Delsing, Joni Jespersen, Tonya Mayer, and Tabi Prochazka. They have been meeting regularly to serve the residents of Hemingford and the surrounding area by identifying and supporting the people, organizations, and projects that make Hemingford a great place to live, learn, work, and play. The Foundation is an affiliate fund of the Oregon Trail Community Foundation.