Giving back, looking forward

The year 2020 no doubt will go down in history as one of the most challenging, and definitely as one people will be happy to see end.

You’d be hard pressed to find anyone or anything not affected by the pandemic. It’s taken its toll everywhere, especially on family life, small businesses, schools, employment and--fun. It’s also taken a toll on nonprofit organizations. While larger and better-known causes have reported steady donations, there are local groups that could use a boost to help them continue the good work they do in the area.

One such group has been presenting scholarships to college-bound high school seniors since 1998, and providing financial assistance to the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists (AAIM) known for its work to prevent deaths and injuries caused by chemically impaired or distracted operators of any motor vehicle or watercraft, and to assist victims of these crashes in Illinois.

Gerry and Sandy Olmsted, of Orland Park, established The Erin E. Olmsted Memorial Scholarship Fund in memory of their 17-year-old daughter, Erin, who was killed in a drunk driving crash.

Over the years, a 5K Run/Walk helped to sustain the fund to present scholarships to Carl Sandburg High School students. The event, which was held from 2006 until 2014, hosted more than 500 runners and walkers each year. Coupled with additional donations, the scholarship fund grew and the family was able to give more to AAIM as well as present scholarships at Plainfield East High School, where Erin’s sister Kate, is the associate principal.

The 5K ended and in its place is a gymnastics meet, a perfect transition as Erin was a highly accomplished gymnast at Sandburg competing at the state level and at the junior Olympics. She also coached young children at a gym in Orland Park.

Olmsted said the fund was able to present scholarships this year (May 2020) thanks to what it has raised in the past. “This year we gave $10,000 in scholarships at Sandburg, $4,000 worth of scholarships at Plainfield East, and we gave a $1,000 gymnastic scholarship for the first time, which was awarded to a student from Andrew High School,” he said, noting they also gave $10,000 to AAIM.

However, new funds from two major sources are not available due to the pandemic. The Gridiron Golf Classic, which contributes thousands of dollars to many local organizations, including the Erin E. Olmsted Scholarship Fund, had to cancel its June golf outing. In addition, the memorial gymnastics meet held each January, most likely will not be held in January 2021. He stressed, though, the meet will be continued in January 2022.

While it's believed there will be sufficient funds to continue to offer scholarships in May 2021, Olmsted said he is not sure at this point if they will have to reduce the number of scholarships or the dollar amount of the scholarships they will offer in May.

“We’re definitely going to give scholarships again this coming May,” Olmsted said. “We’re just not sure yet where we have to cut back.”

Persons who would like to learn more about the Erin E. Olmsted Scholarship Fund and/or make a donation to help continue the legacy, can visit the group's website.

“Any donations definitely would be appreciated to help us continue to keep Erin’s memory alive and help students continue their education,” he said.