Foundation for Appalachian Ohio
Celebrating A Legacy
Guided by his long-held love for Morgan County, Mike Workman shares his time and passion with his community in many ways, including his commitment to the mission of the Morgan Community Fund. Mike has always been a strong believer that children are the next generation of entrepreneurs, leaders, and workers and are vital to the community’s growth, prosperity, and well-being. Because of that, he is part of the local fund committee focused on helping more people give back to Morgan. And now, he and his wife, Pam, have found a new way to make a big difference, by leaving their home as a gift in their wills.
Mike and Pam wanted to give back in a way that would last, would bring the community together, and would ''give people a place to go for experiences they wouldn’t normally have.'' So, they decided to make a plan to leave their historic home to the Morgan Community Fund.
Mike and Pam’s home was built in 1883 and they are only the second family to live in it. They have restored and maintained their home in the middle of McConnelsville in a way they believe can serve many beyond themselves.
Each and every aspect of their vision for the home is focused on bringing the community together and making a difference in the lives of Morgan County’s citizens - from young to old. The first priority will be providing office space for the Morgan Community Fund so it can invest in the children of the community and continue to grow in its service to all those who want to make a difference by giving back. Their vision also includes creating a place for a community art and learning space. The needs of the community will determine if that might include art exhibitions, music recitals or classes, or continued learning opportunities for retired citizens.
A local fund that invests in a wide range of programs to put Morgan’s children on a path to success, the Morgan Community Fund is designed to partner with donors to tailor their gifts to fit their wishes. The Morgan Community Fund is already experienced with making planned gifts a reality with their development of the Morgan Foundation Christmas Wish for Kids Fund, created through a gift in Hazel Syphers’s will to ensure all children open a present Christmas morning.
Transforming a donor’s wishes into community support is really what the Morgan Community Fund is all about and its ability to handle a more complex gift, like real estate, made it the perfect partner for Mike and Pam. They have made plans for their home, as well as planned for the creation of a trust that will be used for maintenance over time. The structure of the gifts means they can still enjoy their home during their lifetimes. They feel confident that when the time comes, their home and the values of putting the people of Morgan County first will be carried out by the Morgan Community Fund far into the future.