An Evening of Connection, Recognition, and Community Impact
The room was filled with conversation, introductions, hugs, photographs, and moments of recognition. Scholarship recipients met the donors and funders behind their awards. Nonprofit partners reconnected with supporters. Community leaders celebrated one another. TCF board members, staff, and volunteers helped make the evening welcoming and meaningful.
Throughout the night, one message came through clearly: TCF is a place where relationships are built, stories are shared, and generosity becomes personal.
Impact by the Numbers
Together, TCF’s donors, funders, volunteers, and community partners helped make possible:
- 40+ years serving Delaware County
- 1M+ Charitable gifts faciliated annually
- 700+ total scholarships to date
*all numbers reflect totals up to June 30th, 2026
An Evening of Participation and Connection
The evening was designed to be more than a formal program. Audience questions, scholarship presentations, fund manager reflections, and opportunities to get involved helped bring TCF’s work to life.
TCF Board Member Mike Dejos served as emcee. As a board member and a Health Professions Scholar from the class of 2007, Mike brought a personal connection to the evening. TCF President Dierdre Konar welcomed guests and recognized the event sponsors. Claire Baker helped guide the scholarship presentations, supporting fund managers and scholars as they were recognized.
The celebration also marked 25 years of TCF supporting Health Professions Scholars. Through 2026, TCF has supported 368 Health Professions Scholarships, helping students pursue careers in nursing, medicine, and other health professions.
Honoring Leadership and Service
A highlight of the evening was recognizing three individuals and organizations whose service and leadership continue to strengthen our community:
- Community Impact Award: Vicki and Ira Redden for transforming the loss of their daughter, Brittany Redden, into a lasting legacy through the Brittany Redden Action, Vision, and Empowerment (B.R.A.V.E.) Fund.
- Philanthropist of the Year Award: St. James Alumni Association for their care and generosity in our community while preserving the spirit of St. James Catholic High School and uplifting others through faith, fellowship, and service.
- Community Organization of the Year Award: Surrey Services for Seniors for helping older adults live with independence, dignity, and meaningful connection.
Each honoree represents the kind of dedication and local leadership that strengthens Delaware County and inspires others to make a difference.
Celebrating Scholars and Community Impact
One of the most meaningful parts of the evening was seeing scholarship fund managers personally introduce their scholars and present certificates. These moments showed the personal side of philanthropy: students meeting the people who believe in their future.
Each scholarship represents more than financial support. It carries a story, a value, a memory, or a commitment that continues through the student who receives it.
While scholarships were central to the evening, the program also reflected TCF’s broader work, including charitable funds, community led giving, nonprofit grants, and partnerships that respond to local needs. Guests heard about the City of Chester Giving Circle, Project W, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, and Partners In Giving with The Foundation for Delaware County.
Together, these examples showed how TCF helps make giving easier, more connected, and more responsive to the community.
Reflecting on Why TCF Matters
Throughout the evening, fund managers shared personal reasons for giving through TCF. Their stories reflected many different paths to philanthropy: honoring loved ones, supporting students from Chester, investing in future health professionals, opening doors to skilled careers, and responding to local needs.
Some funds carry forward the memory of a loved one. Others reflect a family’s commitment to education, health care, service, athletics, or opportunity. Together, they showed how TCF helps donors and fund managers turn what matters most to them into structured, meaningful support for students, nonprofits, and community needs.
For many donors and funders, TCF provides a trusted place to carry forward their giving. TCF helps shape charitable goals, steward funds, simplify administration, and connect generosity with meaningful local impact.
A few reflections from the evening will be shared in upcoming Stories of Impact, highlighting the personal reasons people choose TCF to carry forward their giving.
Looking Ahead
The Community Celebration was more than a single evening. It was a reminder of what becomes possible when people come together around shared values, local needs, and a belief in Delaware County’s future.
In the months ahead, TCF will continue sharing the stories behind this work, including stories of scholarship recipients, fund managers, nonprofit partners, award honorees, volunteers, and community leaders. These stories will show how generosity moves from an idea to a fund, from a fund to an opportunity, and from an opportunity to lasting community impact.
Thank you to everyone who joined us, supported the event, and continues to be part of the TCF community. Your presence, partnership, and generosity help make this work possible throughout the year. Highlights below:
Event Highlight Gallery
Make an Impact
Learn more about The Community’s Foundation and how you can support the Jones Scholarship and our other work through giving, volunteering, or creating a charitable fund.
Discover More
Read more stories about the people, partnerships, and philanthropy shaping our community.
