THE FOUNDATION

How It Was Started: Founded by Marion Taylor in February 2018

Businessman and Lancaster native Marion Taylor was an original founding member of a Scholarship Foundation in Atlanta, GA. After moving back home to Lancaster, it was his vision to start a Lancaster County scholarship foundation with the same mission to assist students in this community. The purpose of the LCGSSF is to identify students who serve the needs of others in extraordinary ways and to assist them financially as they continue their service commitment while furthering their education at a college or technical school.

The Name ‘Good Samaritan’: A title for those who serve their fellow citizens

We are a Lancaster County scholarship designed around the story of the Good Samaritan, though applicants are not required to have any specific religious affiliation. Students from the four Lancaster County high schools and the Career Center may​ apply for the scholarship in the Fall of their junior year (due November 30.). Students from the Career Center will be included with the list of applicants from their high school. Only one scholarship will be awarded per high school; therefore, a total of four scholarships may be awarded.

“On the parable of the Good Samaritan: “I imagine that the first question the priest and Levite asked was: ‘If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?’ But by the very nature of his concern, the Good Samaritan reversed the question: ‘If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?”

― Martin Luther King Jr., Strength to Love

Eligible Candidates: High school JUNIORS may apply for the LCGSSF Scholarship. This allows one year for the scholarship recipient and his/her mentor to work together and establish a bond before leaving for College or Tech school. The mentorship continues until graduation from college or Tech school with limits of 4 years for college and 2 years for Tech schools. The recipient may not receive funds for summer school or graduate work. Scholarship funding will be distributed by semesters. The maximum distribution will be $1000/year and it will be distributed in $500 increments/semester.

Lancaster County area high school counselors, teachers and other faculty members may assist in identifying high school Juniors who have met the LCGSSF criteria for scholastic and humanitarian accomplishment. The LCGSSF celebrates and encourages Lancaster County high school students to rise above their personal and financial challenges in order to help those in need.

Funding for our unique Lancaster County Scholarship and Mentoring Program: Please consider supporting our foundation. We rely on generous donors . “The life of a man consists not in seeing visions and in dreaming dreams, but in active charity and in willing service.” -Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The Good Samaritan Scholarship Foundation is funded by generous donations from individuals and local businesses. We rely on the generosity of others to maintain this legacy of rewarding young good samaritans in our community. We also rely on volunteers and donors to sponsor and assist with fundraising events in the community which raise money and bring awareness to our organization. We need ongoing support for the foundation.

We appreciate the opportunity to  participate annually in the GIVE LOCAL Fundraiser, sponsored by the Arras Foundation. It will be held on November 15, which is National Philanthropy Day. The event will take place for one day only. PLEASE consider making a donation to our Foundation! Your support is crucial to our success!

MENTORING PROGRAM

The mentoring program is what makes this Lancaster County scholarship special and unique. Our goal is to invest in those that invest in our community. Not only do we provide financial scholarships, but we also provide a mentor for each student who is committed to “walk beside our recipient” through his/her entire college/tech school career. The mentor will go through the same process of Safe Sanctuary training and background checks as the members of our Foundation. We make every effort to match the student with a mentor who has an educational/professional background that will enhance the mentor/mentee experience.

More About the Mentoring Program

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The members of our Board of Directors and Advisory Board are made up of Lancaster County educators, community leaders, business people and community volunteers. Our active board helps with candidate selection and fundraising for the foundation. We are proud to introduce our board to the community. Please view the brief description of experience and talents brought to the GSSF from this diverse group of talented volunteers. This section will be updated shortly… New Board members will be joining us soon!

Meet Our Board of Directors