Lohmans' donation lifts Community Foundation-United Way endowment to $500,000 milestone
A donation from entrepreneurs and philanthropists Lowell and Nancy Lohman has lifted an endowment for the Community Foundation and United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties above a significant milestone, according to an announcement from the organizations.
The Lohmans, well known for their support of an array of community organizations in areas ranging from healthcare to social services, donated $20,000 to the endowment established to honor the legacy of the late Gloria Max, former executive director of the Jewish Federation of Volusia and Flagler Counties.
That donation lifted the endowment above the $500,000 mark, according to the organizations.
Through partnerships with local non-profits the fund will provide an emergency grant every week — up to 52 families each year — of almost $400 to meet the needs of local families struggling to keep up with the skyrocketing cost of living. It aims to offer financial support for emergency situations jeopardizing a family's housing, food security, medical care, transportation, and other vital needs.
A driving force for nearly two decades behind annual drives to provide school supplies to thousands of students in Volusia and Flagler counties as well as the Federation’s Jerry Doliner Food Bank, Max died in September 2021 a few weeks shy of her 81st birthday after a six-year battle with cancer.
Remembering Gloria Max: Community champion dies: Ormond Beach's Gloria Max, 80, devoted life to helping others
After her death, philanthropists Andrea and Larry Frank created Someone Cares: An Endowment in Honor of Gloria and Ray Max and promised to match the first $250,000 contributed to the fund. The endowment stands as a tribute to Max's profound impact on the community, particularly her dedication to assisting local families in need, the Franks said.
“The purpose of this fund was to continue Gloria’s legacy and to keep funding her work for generations to come,” Larry Frank stated in a news release about the financial milestone. “Thanks to the support of so many in our community, this fund will generate tens of thousands of dollars every year to ensure that the work that Gloria cherished continues forever.”
The Lohmans echoed that sentiment.
“We are honored to play a part in supporting Gloria Max’s legacy,” said Nancy Lohman in a presentation of the check to the Foundation. “Gloria was an icon whose impact in this community was immeasurable. Her leadership and role as a mentor lives on, as she continues to inspire Larry Frank and others to champion the Someone Cares Fund initiative.”
Lohmans' donation completes endowment match challenge
The Lohman’s contribution completes the match challenge set by Andrea and Larry Frank when they established the fund, meaning more than half a million dollars has been raised for the fund.
Gloria’s legacy has inspired donors from across our community to keep supporting local families during their hardest times, said Courtney Edgcomb, president and CEO of Community Foundation and United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties.
"We are immensely grateful to all of the philanthropists in our community that have not only made contributions to help keep Gloria’s legacy alive, but will also provide hundreds of families in our community with emergency resources to help them survive," Edgcomb said.
Those interested in contributing to Someone Cares: An Endowment in honor of Gloria and Ray Max can visit https://bit.ly/someonecaresfund or call 386-405-5745.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Endowment to honor legacy of Gloria Max reaches major milestone
