By Shelly Stumpf
The Sterling Community Fund (SCF) is an endowment that will provide a sustainable source of funding to support a variety of projects that make Logan County a more attractive place to live, raise a family, establish a business, and retire.
Growing up in a small town is a blessing that is often overlooked until a person is older; at least that’s how it has been for me. My husband, Doug, however, has always enjoyed living in Sterling and has honestly never wanted to leave.
Growing up in a small town, as a teen, one of the first things I looked forward to was getting out of this small town! As luck, or providence would have it, after I graduated from college, I began my teaching career in a MUCH smaller town than Sterling. After looking for a job in larger areas, God placed me right back in Sterling in my late 20’s. Even at that point in my life, I didn’t fully appreciate Sterling. It wasn’t until I got married and settled down did I begin to appreciate this town for truly what it was when I was younger and is now to me.
Growing up in a small town, as a child I took for granted the freedom my friends and I had to play nearly all day, every day, ride our bikes to Pioneer Park to go swimming almost daily, playing till it got dark every night in our neighborhood, walking all over town with friends without a care in the world. (It certainly is a different time to live now, and I’m a little more protective of my grandkids doing the things I so freely did when I was their age.)
Growing up in a small town, lifelong friends are made. My best friend from kindergarten and I are still friends! I love seeing people I grew up with as a child and friends that I have made through the years. My husband is also from Sterling, so coming back to my hometown was definitely one of the best decisions I made!
Growing up in a small town, definitely leaves an impression on one’s life. As with every community, we definitely have issues to deal with, but I honestly wouldn’t trade my less-rushed, less-stressed, less-complicated life in our small town for big city life.
Growing up in a small town is definitely a blessing, but in order for Sterling to be competitive with amenities found in urban areas, funds are needed to enhance the appeal of our community. The Sterling Community Fund raises funds that are used to help give our town and county an edge to help attract families, businesses, and industry. Any contribution toward this fund will enhance the future of our community.
The Sterling Fund Community Gala is Sept. 25 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at the Logan County Fairgrounds Indoor Event Center. Get your tickets at the Bank of Colorado or the CSU Engagement Center.
The Sterling Community Fund is part of the Eastern Colorado Community Fund portfolio, which is a grouping of all funds designated to benefit communities and charitable organizations in our region. All funds are managed by the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado, a 501c3 public charity. Learn more about the Sterling Community Fund endowment by visiting https://nocofoundation.org/communities-served/eastern-colorado/or contacting John Chapdelaine at (970) 580-1013 or John @NoCoFoundation.org.
