ROCHELLE — The Rochelle Area Community Foundation is pleased to announce the creation of the Ed and Ann Rice Giving Fund.  The fund was established by Joe and Mariann Rice to honor Ed and Ann for the many contributions they have made to the Rochelle community and expand upon their generous spirit.

The fund will allow Ed and Ann to annually recommend one or more nonprofit organizations to receive grants to support their work.

“When you add up all the years served across thirteen organizations, Ed has 158 years of public service. These include the Flagg-Rochelle Park District Board, GREDCO, Ogle County Board, Rochelle City Council, City Zoning Board of Appeals, Jaycees, Rochelle Fire Department, Rochelle Senior Center Board, Rochelle Christian Food Pantry, and forty-three years with the Rochelle Rotary Club.

He founded the Rochelle Junior Tackle Program in 1965, was a wrestling referee and coached Little League. He has supported many individuals in the community over the years who were down on their luck-whether they needed something to eat, some financial support, or simply someone to listen to them,” said Joe.

“Ann worked across the Rochelle education system as a teach, elementary school principal and grant writer for 32 years,” Joe added. “She also has a unique connection to the Rochelle Area Community Foundation, as a volunteer she worked closely with Leonard Carmichael to launch the foundation as the first Executive Director between 2006 and 2009. Ann served as Board President after Leonard’s passing in 2010 and 2011.”

Together Ed and Ann have been long-time members of First Presbyterian Church, Tres Dias Christian weekends, Rochelle Rotary and Three Angel’s Children’s Relief ministry.

“What a pleasure it was for me to assist Joe and Mariann in establishing this fund as a gift to Ed and Ann. Ann played a role in hiring me as the first paid staff of the Foundation and mentored me through the process of learning about the community foundation field,” said Kim Montgomery, RACF Executive Director.

The Rochelle Area Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the community through charitable giving, encourage a spirit of philanthropy, develop collaborative partnerships, and enhance the quality of life of the community. The Foundation depends of the charitable gifts of generous people to make a difference today while building a strong foundation for the future.

To learn more, contact Kim Montgomery, Executive Director at (815) 561-3600, email kim@rochellefoundation.org or visit our website www.rochellefoundation.org