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Features

Leaving a Legacy

By Phyllis Hickey

Bettye’s Legacy

Have you ever considered how you can leave a legacy that
will impact the future of education? Bettye Mischen Dunbar
did. Whether she was teaching English at Plano Senior High
in Texas or serving in some way for DKG, her life was spent
bettering her community. When asked what DKG meant
to her, Bettye said, “It has provided wonderful friends, the
stimulus for incredible personal and professional growth, and
the opportunity to work and to contribute.”
On her passing, Bettye’s husband contacted the
Society to leave $100,000 to the new DKG International
Educators Foundation (DKGIEF). The money was directed
to educational projects, and the interest was to be used for
the funding of a project that impacted literacy because that
was close to Bettye’s heart. The project chosen for funding
in 2021 was The Forget-Me-Not Early Literacy Project,
developed by Delta Chapter of New Hampshire State
Organization. The goal of the project was getting quality literature and multicultural understanding
into the hands and homes of “North country” students in New Hampshire. The chapter has received a
grant of $3,000 to continue this project, which targets intercultural understanding in two main ways:
(a) by addressing the area’s high percentage of low socioeconomic families that need good literature to
promote the love of reading, and (b) by helping to promote and develop an understanding of tolerance
and respect for people from different communities, cultures, and beliefs.
Members assisted in sewing book bags with fabric that matched the story or character from the book.
A “stuffy” or “book buddy” was included for each book. To date, Delta Chapter members have supplied 12
schools with more than 500 book bags, and they hope to continue this project through the funding awarded
by the Foundation. This is one way that Bettye Mischen Dunbar’s dream will continue to impact education.
Your Legacy?

You, too, have much to think about as you decide about what kind of legacy you would like to leave.
• Is there a fund close to your heart that is now under the umbrella of the DKGIEF? You can select
to leave an amount of money to any of the funds: Golden Gift Fund, Cornetet Awards, Educational
Projects, Scholarship Fund, World Fellowship Fund, Educators Award Fund, Emergency Fund,
Eunah Temple Holden Leadership Fund, and International Speakers Fund. You can also designate a
donation to the area of greatest need.
• You may want to think about reserving a leaf on the Wall of Roses, which recognizes donations of
$10,000, $25,000, or $50,000. Any donation of at least $1,000 will result in your name being placed
in the Wall of Roses book.
• You may want to remember DKGIEF in your will. Consider leaving stock, money from an IRA
account, or proceeds from a life insurance policy.
Now is the time to think about how to leave your legacy. Contact Phyllis A. Hickey, Strategic
Outreach Director, at phyllish@dkg.org to discuss options in more detail. Leave a legacy that will
impact the future of education.

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