Oak Brook, IL – Four members of the Church family have donated $25,000 apiece to fund a $100,000 scholarship in the name of Denny R. Church. Denny was the longest serving ILCA President beginning in 1971 and ending in 1975. Immediately after his term, he was named ILCA Man of the Year in 1976.
The scholarship will be conferred annually by the Illinois Landscape Contractors Education & Charitable Organization (ILCECO). ILCECO is the Private Foundation of the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association (ILCA). The scholarship was organized by Bruce Church of Balanced Environments in Old Mill Creek. Balanced Environments have been members since 2005.
The Denny R. Church scholarship will be presented to deserving students in full and part-time horticulture-related degree programs. Denny passed away in 2013 after a long career in the nursery and landscape industry.
Denny R. Church was an industry treasure who always offered his expertise to those in need. He was a green industry icon who built his career on a foundation of ethics, craftmanship, and respect. Now, a new generation of green industry professionals will be beneficiaries of Denny’s involvement in the industry as were so many other professionals across the years. Having these donations go towards funding a scholarship carries on Denny’s tradition and his legacy.
“It seems fitting that Denny Church should be remembered for his continual efforts to make our profession better,” said ILCA and ILCECO President Rusty Maulding. “Better, by attracting the best new industry professionals that will perpetuate our industry’s amazing dedication, passion and talent. Thank you to the Church family for this thoughtful and inspiring gift.”
“This scholarship is a fitting and lasting tribute to Denny Church,” said ILCA Past President and former employee of Church Landscaping Kenny Gallt. “He gave so much of himself to other and the industry. Denny was renowned for making other people feel good and for helping others be the best they could be. His respect for educating those in the landscape industry will live on in this scholarship.”
The Illinois Landscape Contractors Education & Charitable Organization is a Private Foundation and gifts are tax deductible to the extent of the law.
Regards,
Scott Grams
Illinois Landscape Contractors Assoctiaion (ILCA)
