Gary M. Smith Foundation Beneficiaries

The Gary M. Smith Foundation assists individuals and other charities via financial support.  Below is a listing of those who received contributions from the Gary M. Smith Foundation in 2008.  Additionally, there are also other organizations listed which the Gary M. Smith Foundation has supported since inception.

Each year, the Gary M. Smith Foundation awards a scholarship to a graduating senior at Brownsburg High School that plans to attend Indiana University.

2011 Gary M. Smith Scholarship Recipient:

We are pleased to announce that the 2011 recipient of the Gary M. Smith Foundation Scholarship is Taylor Leum who is a 2011 graduate of Brownsburg High School.
Taylor maintained a grade point average of 4.058 and ranked 20th in her class of 474. Taylor was a member of the National Honor Society, The Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Best Buddies, and the Junior Classical League where she was voted as Outstanding Student her sophomore year. Taylor was also a member of the Bulldogs Cheerleading team for four years where she lettered three years and served as Captain her senior year. She was also presented with the "Mental Attitude Award" three times, as well as winning the "Most Spirited" and the "Most Valuable" awards.

In addition to her extra-curricular activities, Taylor volunteered at Hendrick's Regional Health Facilities and has donated over 40 hours of Community Service with a supply drive benefiting patients in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Taylor will attend Indiana University Bloomington this fall, with plans to pursue a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology. Her post graduate plans include attending medical school and eventually becoming a physician.

Please join the Smith Family in congratulating Taylor on her accomplishments and in wishing her the very best as she pursues her future goals.

Past Recipients of the Gary M. Smith Foundation Scholarship:

Beneficiaries for 2010:

Additional Organizations afforded financial support from the Gary M. Smith Foundation:
The Tom Burnett Family Foundation
The Morrison Family Fund – Brownsburg, Indiana
Deputy Fraternal Organization
CARRA Myositis Research
Camp Del-Ja-Ri (camp for Children’s Arthritis-related diseases)

Camp Care - Camp CARE ( Cancer Ain't Really the End ) was formed in 1985 by a group of health-care professionals. Staffed entirely by volunteers and funded by donations, we provide over 100 campers each year with a normal camping experience. A chance to get away from the realities of living with cancer. A chance to share their thoughts with other children like themselves. The philosophy of Camp CARE from the beginning has been that a child with cancer is, first of all, a child. A child, like all children, needs laughter, friends and fresh air. These are the very things Camp CARE can provide. Camp CARE is a non-profit 501C(3) organization, which services both Presbyterian Hospital and The Carolinas Medical Center, and relies entirely on donations. Please check with your employer to see if they have a matching funds program.

Juvenile Diabetes Research – Each year the Gary M. Smith Foundation contributes to this very important organization.  Many of us, including the Smith Family have loved one’s afflicted by Juvenile Diabetes.

Scholarship – Each spring, a graduating Brownsburg, IN High School Student who will attend Indiana University is chosen to receive a financial scholarship.

Bret Neylon Fund – Bret is a Brownsburg High School teacher who was involved in a biking accident leaving him paralyzed in the summer of 2006.  The Gary M. Smith Foundation donated $1000 to assist the Neylon Family with Medical Bills.

Cancer Research – Gary M. Smith was a cancer survivor beating all odds and becoming a “miracle child” in 1942.  The Foundation lost 2 friends and supporters to cancer in 2006 and another friend was diagnosed with Breast Cancer.  The Board of Directors allocated funds to contribute to various cancer fighting organizations in their names and forwarded contributions to the Little Red Door, IU Cancer Research, and Team Sweet Melissa.

IU Pediatric Rheumatology Research – The Gary M. Smith Foundation contributed $1000 to this organization which allowed 4 children to attend Camp Del-Ja-Ri in 2006.

Thomas Burnett Family Foundation (2001) - $20,000
Tom was one of the many “Heroes”  on United Flight 93 on 9/11.  Tom and others successfully lead a passenger rebellion against the hijackers of Flight 93 and saved many lives by sacrificing their own.  Tom was a family friend of the Smith’s and the Gary M. Smith Foundation successfully raised and contributed $20,000 to the Thomas Burnett Family Foundation in 2001.