The Shelby High School Class of 1956 recently decided to discontinue their annual class picnic after 70 years. They chose to donate the funds remaining in their class treasury to The Ladder Community Center in Shelby, since its youth program benefits underprivileged children in the community.
The surplus funds from the class of 1956 were generated over the first 50 years after graduation by the thrifty planning of the five-year dinner events that the class members and their spouses enjoyed. The class lost its first classmate 35 years after graduation. At the time, class representatives decided to use the surplus funds to build a memorial program honoring their deceased classmates. Each time a classmate died, a $25 gift was given to the charity of their family’s choice. In addition to the surplus funds generated from the dinner meetings, some classmates made separate cash donations to this memorial program.
Mark Frost, class president; Vera Huls, current class treasurer; and Margaret Knapp, a 70-year member of the class reunion committee, presented the monetary gift of $450 on August 19 to The Ladder’s Director, Brian Beckman, and Youth and Men’s Coach, Troy Love.
“A lot of classes would use that leftover money to have a blowout party for themselves,” said Love. “It is inspiring to see Shelby classmates from 1956 love each other, honor their deceased classmates and desire to invest in future generations. They are leaving a legacy that will impact future classes at Shelby High School.”
