Mary’s parents were always great role models for her. They provided support to the community in so many ways, and she felt it was important to do the same. She has found that supporting local organizations is especially meaningful when she can be involved in several ways. Over the years she has spent time engaging in the community and has created many meaningful connections with a number of local nonprofit organizations.
Her broad community interests led her to us as a home for her legacy giving. The organizations that she supports in Central New York routinely apply to us for funding, so she knew a gift to us would always be used to help those in the most need at that time. She opened the Harry and Helen Barnes Jewell Fund as a field-of-interest fund to honor the memory of her parents. The fund supports two broad areas: the welfare of children and the protection of animals.
Mary and her parents adored animals and advocated for a variety of causes that protected them from abuse. She also always felt a strong connection to organizations that seek to end abuse in all of its forms and projects that help children overcome the life-altering effects of physical, emotional or sexual abuse.
“I learned early on our pets give more back to us than we give to them,” she said. “They’re a part of our lives and bring so much joy. And just like animals need to be protected, so do children.”
The benefit of leaving her legacy to us is that after she is gone, this fund will still be giving in her parents’ names to support the current needs of the community.
“I feel happy knowing that the Community Foundation will continue to support my favorite causes and the hardworking nonprofits of Central New York in perpetuity,” she said.
