Dave and Bev Paxton had long made contributions to the Holy Trinity Parish and School. But through conversations with their professional advisor, they learned about the IRA charitable rollover, which allowed them to impact the Holy Trinity School and the local Somerset community while meeting minimum distribution requirements of their IRAs – without increasing their taxable income. That’s why they decided to create the Holy Trinity School Endowment Fund.
Both Dave and Bev made $5,000 gifts annually for five years to grow the fund, all while inviting others who hold the Holy Trinity School and Somerset close to their hearts to contribute as well. In partnership with the Holy Trinity Parish Council, grant dollars will be used for items, programs and activities that support and promote the school.
The Holy Trinity School serves students from Somerset and the surrounding area in preschool through eighth grades. “Even though the school is small, it is so important to the whole community,” Dave said.
With strong school leadership, Holy Trinity has been growing in recent years to serve students of varying backgrounds, regardless of Catholic faith. The next generation of Holy Trinity students even includes Dave and Bev’s grandson, Perry.
Holy Trinity School students receive a strong academic foundation, leading to strong academic achievement and successful careers for generations of Holy Trinity students.
Dave and Bev also have a deep gratitude for local emergency responders. In 2013, Dave and Bev lost their Somerset home to a fire; the Reading Township Volunteer Fire Department was integral to saving their belongings. A few years later, Dave was having breakfast with a member of the Reading Township Volunteer Fire Department when he started feeling unwell. The EMT took Dave to a local hospital, where they discovered Dave had had a heart attack.
After losing their home to a fire and benefiting from emergency medical care, the Paxtons have a great appreciation for local emergency responders and the need to support those services into the future. That’s why Dave and Bev decided to make specific continuity plans to ensure their funds stay local by supporting the Reading Township Volunteer Fire Department. By specifying fund continuity plans, the Paxtons will ensure the fund they created will continue to impact the Somerset community far into the future.
“We always considered ourselves to be ordinary – not wealthy or influential,” Bev said. “The Holy Trinity School has had so much to do with the success that we’ve had, and we wanted to recognize that in some way.” By working with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio and the local Community Foundation for Perry County, the Paxtons will be able to give back to Holy Trinity School and the Somerset community in a lasting way.
“You have to go out and get started on doing something you’ve wanted to do,” Dave said. “We never thought this would be something we could do – create a fund to support Holy Trinity School – but we are thankful we can use the resources we have to do something for the community,” Bev added.
To learn more about the Holy Trinity School Endowment Fund, please visit the link below. To discuss how you can support your local school or community please call 740.753.1111 or email info@ffao.org.
Learn more about the Holy Trinity School Endowment Fund