In 2002, parishioners at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in La Grange were stunned to learn of the death of David E. Weaver IV, the son of their long-time rector, David E. Weaver III and his wife, local artist Sally Weaver, in a tragic boxing accident.  A graduate of Lyons Township High School (1992), Illinois Wesleyan (1996) and the University of Miami Law School (1999), David had worked as an attorney in Orlando, representing foster children as a courtroom, advocate and guardian ad litem.  He was also active in his community, coaching basketball at the local YMCA and volunteering for with the Adult Literacy Program in Orlando.  To honor his memory and particularly his commitment to children, Emmanuel set up the David E. Weaver IV Endowment Fund in 2003 which is dedicated to serving the educational and recreational needs of our area’s children.  This year, the fund provided $2375.00 in scholarships to needy children to attend programs at the Park District of LaGrange, Brookfield Zoo Camp, Tommy’s Kids, a camp for grieving children and Giant Steps and to provide access for children to attend athletic programs, including the Western Springs Junior Football Association and the Barbarians Rugby Program.

 In addition to these scholarship grants, the Fund provided $1,000 to Helping Hand Center to fund equipment needed in its School for Autism.  Mary Beth Hepp, Executive Director of Helping Hand, said that this grant will allow Helping Hand to “provide our high school students with autism the opportunity to expand their academic skills; skills that will improve their quality of life and their potential to be productive individuals in our community. We are very grateful to Emmanuel Episcopal Church.”  The Fund also provided the Caring Place Foundation of LaGrange with $900 to help fund a summer art camp for autistic children.  Finally, the Fund gave the La Grange Community Nurse Health Association with a $1000 grant to purchase inhalers for asthmatic children to enable them to fully participate in recreational and other programming.

Emmanuel Episcopal Church, the oldest church in La Grange, welcomes any donations to this fund which is dedicated to serving the needs of children in the greater LaGrange Area.  Each year, the Fund solicits requests for funding from area organizations dedicated to children’s needs.  More information about the fund can be requested by contacting the church.