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Carl E. Swanson & Clara M. Swanson & Family Scholarship Endowment Fund

Established 2009

Carl E. Swanson
Carl E. Swanson
Clara M. Swanson
Clara M. Swanson

Scholarships from this fund are awarded to descendants of current or deceased members of Grace Lutheran Church in Lily Lake and/or the American Legion Post 630 in Elburn.

Carl Edward Swanson and Clara Magnusson Swanson were born in Sweden. They met after immigrating to America.

They lived in Aurora for a short time after their marriage and then moved to Lily Lake where they farmed on land owned by Hicks Downing of Elburn.

After World War I, they moved to the Balwahn Farm north of Wasco. Shortly thereafter, they farmed on the Miller Farm south of Wasco.

In 1932, they quit farming and sold their livestock at auction. They then lived on the Smart Farm in what is now Campton Hills.

In 1933, they bought a 110-ten acre farm in Lily Lake. Sadly, Mr. Swanson died four years later leaving his wife to manage the farm and raise their six remaining children.

Times were difficult for Mrs. Swanson and she nearly lost the farm. However, through hard work and determination, she and the children were able to maintain the farm. Mrs. Swanson died in 1969.

In 1983, the farm was sold by her children. A portion of the proceeds were given to the Community Foundation by the couple’s youngest child Carl R. Swanson (1927-2007) through a bequest from his estate.

His gift was accompanied by the following words: “My parents’ lives of hard work, family devotion and spirit were responsible for the good fortune of the eventual sale of their property. That same spirit and devotion were instilled in their children and there was never any animosity among them. With that in mind, this memorial is instituted.”

YEP has made me realize the importance of being involved in my community, and how to make a difference. There are a lot of problems in the world but if we can do everything that we can to help the world will become a better place. YEP has helped me realize this and encouraged me to help more people in the future.

Madi Porter

YEP Member

I am incredibly grateful for the generosity of the Zari Foundation Scholarship and the Community Foundation in supporting my education. I am majoring in mechanical engineering with a concentration in aerospace engineering at the Rose-Hulman Institue of Technology. In my spare time, I volunteer on campus, in the community and I’m also the principal violist in the symphony orchestra. I hope to make an impact on the next chapter of space exploration by eventually working at a groundbreaking aerospace company such as SpaceX or NASA.

Taytum Newell

Albert M. Zari Scholarship Recipient

Being a part of the Community Foundation scholarship committee is the highlight of my year. For many, a scholarship from the CFFRV is the reason they are able to continue reaching for their dreams and changing the future of our world. I hope each recipients knows just how inspirational they are to those of us who are lucky enough to read their stories.

Jessica Breugelmans

Scholarship Committee Member and Board Member

Grant funds from the Community Foundation helped provide updated technology. These upgrades were transformative. By creating new time saving processes, it turned us into a more efficient organization.

Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry

Grantee

Education is important to us. We support causes that touch our lives and align with our values. We believe in paying it forward. We are here for a short time,, and it is the next generation that will take on what we leave behind.

Michelle Emanuel

Donor and Past Scholarship Recipient

Give your gift of time and see what it means to the people you impact. Helping others is what life is all about.

Neal Ormond

Donor & Fund Advisor

YEP was a great experience to have in high school. I became a more confident person, someone with a lot more perspective. Coming from a small school, YEP allowed me to branch out into my community, meet students from other schools, and learn about their backgrounds. I made some great friends and still keep in touch with them today.

Abby Vagnoni

YEP Alumni

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

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