Education Fund Started For Late Westfield Principal's Daughter

WESTFIELD, NJ - In the weeks since the untimely passing of Westfield High School Principal Dr. Derrick Nelson his extended community has been looking for a demonstrable way to honor the soldier, educator, mentor and father. Now, a new education fund has been established for his daughter Morgan.

According to Kim Schumacher, a school counselor at Roosevelt Intermediate School, the fund was started because education was important to Nelson and he would want Morgan to have the opportunity to further her education.

"After he passed away I knew that I needed to do something to ensure that his daughter was taken care of," Schumacher said. "Derrick always took care of others and over the years was there for me and my children."

For Schumacher, her connection to Nelson stretches back to before his hiring.

"I have known Derrick since he started in Westfield and was actually on the committee that hired him as an AP at Roosevelt," she said. "Derrick has been a close friend of my family as my husband is on active duty in the US Army and stationed at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. When my husband was deployed to Afghanistan for 15 months, Derrick was a huge support always reaching out to me and my boys."

Schumacher said she conferred with an attorney in town, spoke with representatives at Wells Fargo and then

I did research and spoke with an attorney in town and then went and spoke with Wells Fargo and shared the options with Morgan's mother, Sheronda Braker.

"After meeting with them and speaking to Morgan’s mother, we opted for a 529 plan as it gives Morgan the best options," she said.

According to Schumacher, the only way to contribute is via a check as online donations are not accepted.

The account is being housed at Wells Fargo in Cranford and checks can be made payable to: Sheronda S. Braker for the benefit of Morgan K. Nelson

Checks should be mailed to:

Wells Fargo
2 North Avenue West
Cranford, NJ 07016
Attention: Peter Jackowitz

NOTE: In the memo line of the check, please put the following account number: 7805-9027

For those who donate, Schumacher expressed gratitude.

"Thank you in advance for your generosity and support as we honor the memory of our colleague and friend, Dr. Derrick Nelson," she said.

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