The words to the song Kerri picked out to play at her funeral:

I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest
You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all who's who and so-n-so's that used to be the best
At such'n'such ... it wouldn't matter much

I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights
We all need an 'Atta boy' or 'Atta girl'
But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides
The temporary trappings of this world

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy

I don't have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthly list of all that I enjoy
It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon enough destroy

Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred
Just want to hear instead, "Well Done" good and faithful one...

Andrew Lopez, a second year student, was the first recipient. 

What your future plans are for your career?

My future plans for my career is to become licensed and work in an environment where I am going to work every day making a difference in someone’s life. Whether it is a SNF or outpatient, I want a career where I am out there making a contribution to the world and making it a better place for someone.

What you do in the community to help others?

Ever since high school, I have learned how important it is to help others that are less fortunate than you. Last year I enjoyed spending my time at an organization for troubled/less fortunate teens in Beaverton called Westside PAL.  Spending time with these kids is a great opportunity to develop relationships with them and feed off their positive energy.

How this scholarship has benefited you?

This scholarship has tremendously helped me out with helping pay for tuition and fees. Through grants and this scholarship I no longer have to stress about the financial aspect of school and can put more of my time towards my studies and focusing on aspects involving physical therapy.

Anything else you think is important to say?

I just want to say thank you again for this wonderful scholarship and most importantly for establishing a scholarship to remind and let people know just how wonderful of a person Kerri Foland was.

Thank you so much.

Craft fair success!!

We raised $1,837 during the craft fair! 

There were 24 vendors and every one of them had such wonderful crafts.  People are so creative!  It was a lot of work to organize a craft fair especially since I have not hosted one before, but it was a lot of fun and I know Kerri would have loved it!  I got a lot of encouragement from the vendors and it is a great possibility that I might do another craft fair next year.  I learned a lot from this event and it only motivated me to continue the fundraising!

So far since I created the scholarship, a little over $6,000 has been donated!  Thank you to all who have helped this scholarship grow!  I look forward to future fundraising opportunities!!

I will be writing an article for the Oregon Physical Therapy Association newsletter that will promote the scholarship and tell Kerri's story.  Hopefully this will also help spread the word and continue to bring donations in!

The first scholarship has been awarded and soon I hope post the thank you letter from the student who received the first award!

Thank you for all of you who support this cause!!

One month left!

I am truly blessed to have so many wonderful people helping me with this first fundraiser whether it be with donated time, donated items to sell, or just great ideas.

So far I have 11 spots filled and many more interested and sending in their applications. I have also started advertising.  I am hoping this will be a very successful event and bring in great funds for the scholarship.

If you read this blog please pass it on and help spread the news!

The story that was in the Oregonian

http://www.oregonlive.com/gresham/index.ssf/2011/04/jennifer_layng_sets_up_a_fund.html

Welcome to the Kerri Foland Scholarship page!

My name is Jennifer and I created the Kerri Foland Scholarship for the physical therapist assistant program at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham Oregon. 

Kerri was my classmate and while in the program she began to have stomach pain.  She went in for surgery and had her appendix removed and found it was cancerous.  Kerri went through a rough batch of treatment but got a clean bill of health.  Before her 40th birthday her stomach began to hurt again and found the cancer returned and had spread.  It was untreatable.  Kerri and her family made the difficult decision to go on hospice and Kerri past away April 23, 2010.  She is survived by her husband, daughter, son, and many others who love her very much.

Kerri was an amazing woman.  She had great compassion and loved the Lord.  She was always there to lend a hand to someone in need.  I created this scholarship to help keep her caring legacy alive.

The scholarship is awarded once a year in the amount of $1,000.  It is awarded to a student who has financial need and who is involved in the community.

Our goal is to raise $10,000.  This way we can help a student a year for the next 10 years.  So far I have raised $3,300.  I am currently working on hosting a craft bazaar on October 15th at MHCC. 

Thank you for reading my blog and I hope you follow to see where this scholarship goes!!  I have high hopes for this scholarship and will continue to update on fundraising activities and how much we raise.

If you have ideas or questions please leave a comment!