Local News
Kenny Martin Fund Established
By Brad Bebout
Mar 21, 2008, 13:14

When Marion resident Kenny Martin passed, two new funds were created at Marion Community Foundation – a scholarship fund and a designated fund. According to MCF president Bradley C. Bebout, these funds illustrate the unique person that Martin was, supporting a diversity of causes that were important to him. Martin’s funds will support a scholarship for engineering students, the Palace Theatre, the Marion Union Station, and more.

Martin was a long-time employee of the City of Marion, having worked for more than 40 years as an aide in the engineering office doing drafting and design. As he had no family, Martin asked his attorney, John P. Firstenberger, to prepare a will naming Marion Community Foundation as a substantial recipient of his estate. Long-time co-worker and friend Judy Rawlins became executor of the estate, helping to distribute Martin’s funds according to his wishes.

“Kenny was a private person,” explains Rawlins. “He was an artist in his work. And, I felt that he needed to be remembered and that his money should be put to good use supporting the things that were important to him in life.”

The Kenny Martin Memorial Scholarship Fund will support those pursuing a career and education in civil engineering, with awards beginning in Spring 2009. Candidates for this new scholarship will be graduates and seniors who have attended Marion Harding High School for their entire high school careers and special consideration will be given to students who have participated in interscholastic or intercollegiate golf.

Martin Scholarship recipients will be selected based upon academic achievement and potential, financial need, commitment to the Marion community, special skills and an aptitude for and commitment to excellent communications.

The Kenny Martin Charitable Fund has been established to provide support for a number of Martin’s interests. This fund will make annual contributions to the Palace Cultural Arts Association and the Marion Union Station Association. Martin was an avid model railroader.

In addition, Rawlins, in her capacity as executor, saw fit to include a third recipient – one of the Foundation’s choosing. This unrestricted portion of the gift will allow MCF’s board of trustees to respond to the community’s most pressing needs — including future needs unable to be anticipated at the time the gift has been made.

“These funds were a most pleasant surprise for the Foundation,” says Bebout. “Mr. Martin had not had any prior contact with Marion Community Foundation -- he wasn’t even on our mailing list – yet he and his attorney had faith in our organization and chose to make a substantial gift for the benefit of the Marion community.”

“When we are gone and these funds are still going,” says Rawlins, “Kenny’s name will be kept alive and people will remember who he was. These funds will do things as he would have liked them to be done.”

When Marion Community Foundation celebrates its 10th anniversary later this spring, the Martin Fund will be among the approximately 80 funds managed by the local Foundation. MCF is located inside the historic Stengel-True Museum at 504 S. State Street in Marion. Office hours are weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Additional information is available by calling 387-9704 or visiting the Foundation’s comprehensive web site at www.marioncommunityfoundation.org.

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