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%u201cMy wife, Jane, and I first became involved with Philips Academy when our youngest son became friends with the youngest son of the school founders, Jane and Phil Blount. In turn, they introduced us to their oldest son, Philip, and we learned about their family%u2019s journey to find an appropriate educational and support structure to enable Philip to maximize his gifts and live the most fulfilling life possible. We quickly saw the Blount%u2019s vision and felt called to help in whatever way we could.Our initial financial contributions to Philips Academy soon evolved into volunteer service on the Board and the Paving the Way Committee, followed by capital campaign contributions and a recent commitment to include the school in our estate plans as part of the 20by20 campaign. Over time, our entire families have bonded and become the dearest of friends. And it has been our privilege to get to know Philip and watch him grow into the young man he is today.Jane and I understand that the loving and nurturing family atmosphere at Philips Academy, coupled with its focused %u201cReal Learning for Real Life%u201d educational curriculum, provides so many students with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families with the tools they need to grow and blossom just like Philip. We firmly believe that our legacy gift to Philips Academy will, in some modest way, help sustain the Blounts%u2019 original vision and continue to deliver the tangible results that the school achieves to future generations to come.%u201dFrasier Ives, Board Member & Former Board Chair Jane Ives, Paving the Way Committee VolunteerPLANNED GIVINGIn 2024-2025, Philips Academy awarded endowment-based scholarships totaling over $185,000 to 30 students who met the need-based criteria. Thanks to generous donors, the endowment now totals over $2.7 million. In Spring 2024, Tyler%u2019s family gifted one million dollars to The James Tyler Smith Scholarship Fund. %u201cWe know first-hand the impact Philips Academy had in helping my son, Tyler, become the confident young man he is today. We hope our gift can encourage and inspire others to donate, allowing the school to help more students with special needs learn to embrace their unique talents and forge a future with meaningful roles in their communities.%u201d - J. Michael SmithIndeed, the Smith%u2019s gift has inspired many others to support the endowment and the school. Tyler graduated in 2010. For 14 years, he has volunteered at the Cornelius Animal Shelter, caring for cats by socializing, feeding, and loving them in preparation for adoption.Gifts of any amount are welcome. For more details, visit our websiteunder SUPPORT US.SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT 20 Individuals Will Share a Legacy Gift Intention by Our 20th Anniversary in July 2025TYLER WITH HIS STEPMOTHER AND FATHER TYLER%u2019S PASSIONBy making a legacy gift through a bequest in your will or a gift in your estate plan, you help ensure that future generations of Philips Academy students will have access to a Real Learning for Real Life education. All gifts, large and small, are important to us and are very much appreciated. If you%u2019ve already included Philips Academy in your will or estate plan, let us know on the online Intention Form. For more details, visit our website under SUPPORT US.