Purdue News

Private support fuels Center for Families initiatives The Center for Families was founded in 1994 thanks in part to a $1 million gift from Purdue graduate Lorene Burkhart of Indianapolis. In addition, 40 individuals have contributed a minimum of $10,000 each to become Center for Families advocates. Gifts and grants sustain the center, says Shelley MacDermid, Center for Families director the past three years. "Gifts allow us to develop innovative new programs to help families, turn the lights on and answer the phone," she says. Donors' gifts have made possible the distribution of nutrition brochures to young at-risk families and a Family Impact Seminar for Indiana legislators to help encourage family-friendly policies and laws, among other initiatives. The Center for Families is one of four programs targeted to receive funds from the recently launched planned giving campaign in the School of Consumer and Family Sciences. "Inspiring Families, Building Communities" hopes to attract $10 million in deferred and outright gifts over the next three years. Specific programs that will benefit from the CFS campaign: * Scholarships: To attract and retain the most qualified students and help reduce the cost of their education. * Faculty support: To attract and retain nationally recognized teachers and scholars. * Future needs: To help start-up costs for * laboratories and research, and to fund building renovation. * The Center for Families: To continue to help strengthen families and provide decision-makers with the latest research on families and children. "Planned gifts will help our school help people and families live better lives now and for the next hundred years," says Cheryl Altinkemer, CFS director of development and alumni relations. Story by Julie Rosa Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page