Carman Cougar Charities Corporation Activities
In order to maximize the effectiveness of our efforts, the Carman Cougar Charities Corporation focuses on three philanthropic efforts, and one specific fund-raising activity. The three cause efforts are the annual awarding of scholarships to graduating Carman-Ainsworth High School seniors desiring to pursue further education, the Cougar Winter Wear Drive, and the Cougar Closet. Our major fund-raising event (in addition to regular donations) is the annual Cougar Charities Golf Classic.
Through the generosity of our donors and supporters, in 2024 the Carman Cougar Charities Corporation offered $16,000 in further education scholarships. These awards include the CCCC Leadership Scholarship, the Lyle Lash Athletic Scholarship, the Palmer Family Arts Scholarship Awards, the Donna Kursik Education Scholarship, the Kapila Family Scholarship and the Bruendl-Schreiber Medical Scholarships (2).
A total of $16,000.00 was awarded in the 2024 academic year. The awardee of the $2,500.00 CCCC Volunteer Leadership Award was Mason Routt. The awardee of the $500.00 Lash Award was Kennedy Byrd. The awardee of the Palmer Family Arts Scholarship was Mackenzie Robins. The Donna Kursik Education Scholarship went to Sarah Abdelhay. The awardees of the Bruendl/Schreiber Medical Scholarships were Naima Chin-Kee-Fatt and Jenna Tobias. Finally, the $2,000 Kapila Family scholarship went to SaQuariuos Stephens. Congratulations to all of the 2024 awardees, who stood out among tough competition.
CCCC board members Mark Barton and Janice Chamberlain Baillie introduce the 2021 CCCC scholarship awardees class
The Carman Cougar Charities Lash Award is sponsored by the family of the late Carman Cougar Lyle Lash. This $500 scholarship is designed to recognize students whose participation in athletics during their time at CAHS mark them as future role models.
Congratulations to Ms. Sarah Roe, the 2021 recipient!
Lash award recipient Sarah Roe (center) with CCCC Board members Mark Barton, and Janice Chamberlain Baillie
The Carman Cougar Charities Palmer Arts Scholarships are a pair of $1,000 awards recognizing graduating Seniors, who have participated and excelled in the arts, including but not limited to, theater, dance, music, literature, painting, drawing, sculpture, graphics, and design. They were established by the late Patty Palmer honoring her daughters Vicki (’71) and Kristi (’72).
Congratulations to 2021 recipients, Ms. Zakaria Brame, and Mr. Darwin Bostwick!
palmer arts scholarship recipient Ms. Zakaria Brame, with CCCC Board members Mark Barton and Janice Chamberlain Baillie
palmer arts scholarship recipient mr. darwin bostwick, with cccc board members mark marton and janice chamberlain baillie
The $2,500 Carman Cougar Charities Volunteer Leadership Scholarship recognizes an individual’s efforts and leadership volunteering and assisting in our communities.
The 2021 Awardee was Ms. Abbigail Pelky. Congratulations, Abbigail!
cccc board members mark Barton and janice chamberlain baillie frame the volunteer leadership award winner abbigail belky
Cougar Closet Initiative Generous donations make it possible for the Carman Cougar Charities Corporation to provide cold weather clothing to students in need of winter wear at Dye, Dillon, Randels and Rankin elementary schools in order to keep them warm in their commute to school, and during recess. In December of 2021, our team stocked the closets with the commonly requested items: sweatpants, leggins and backpacks. They will continue to stock the closets as needed, especially prior to summer break.
The Cougar Closet Initiative (continued) The Cougar Closet, also founded in 2014, provides students basic personal care items like toothpaste and toothbrushes, shampoo, and deodorant when these items are not available to them elsewhere. The closet is stocked through purchased items, as well as items donated by individuals, healthcare professionals, and retailers. In the spring of 2021, our team worked with on-site liasons to fully stock both the middle school and high school closets with many personal hygeine items, socks and underwear to ensure that students had what they needed prior to summer break.
2024 GOLF OUTING
The Cougar Charities Golf Classic. The Cougar Charities Golf Classic is an annual 18-hole golf event, sometimes held in conjunction with Carman Talk or class reunion activities, and open to the public. All proceeds of the Golf Classic go toward funding the charitable activities of the Carman Cougar Charities Corporation. The 2024 event raised over $14,000.00 to benefit the students in the Carman Ainsworth Community Schools--a new record! Last year we had seven CHS graduating classes make the Blue & Gold Sponsor (gifts totalling $500 or more) status: THANK YOU to the classes of 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1981 and 1985. **The 2025 Cougar Charities Golf Classic will be Friday August 1, 2025. ** If you are interested in participating in, contributing to, or sponsoring the 12th Annual Cougar Charities Golf Classic, please contact chairman Mark Barton for registration information at mabarton524@aol.com.