A L A N R . S C H L E S S M A N F U N D AN ANNUAL CELEBRATION. Every spring since 2004, in honor of their son Alan, John and Lori Schlessman delight three high-caliber, graduating seniors by awarding each a scholarship. These exemplary students,likeAlan,excelinbothacademicsand athletics and are assets to their community. These scholarships celebrate Alan’s brilliant yet all too brief life. He clearly had a profound impact on many; not only did hundreds of people pack Trinity United Methodist Church to celebrate Alan, without hesitation they were moved to contribute to the scholarship fund that bears his name. John’s sister, Ann Voight, had the idea to reach out to the Community Foundation which quickly set up the Fund and supplied donation envelopes for the memorial service. In a note of thanks to the community, John and Lori expressed the family’s deep appreciation for the, “positive outpouring of generosity and concern shown by many friends and family upon the death of our dear son.” At Perkins High School, Alan was a State Champion in golf and captained the school’s tennis team. He went on to The Ohio State University, and in an April 2003 issue of The Lantern, a story referenced one housemate describing Alan as one of the most laid back, easy going, and carefree people he had ever met. Another reflected a common refrain that, “he lived life to the fullest.” The Schlessman family also estab- lished Al’s Clinics, a foundation that confidentially helps pay for lessons, fees, even memberships, plus buys equipment, for Sandusky area children who participate in golf, tennis, or basketball. John and Lori have enjoyed a wonderful collaboration with the Community Foundation, one that will help their son’s life serve as a light for generations to come. |7