Winning not one, but two, Island News 2012 Favorite Awards, the Len Miret Memorial Scholarship Fund (LMMSF) is still relatively unknown in Beaufort. Executive Director Joe Gazdak won the award for Favorite Charity Worker and LMMSF won for Favorite Non-Profit Organization.
LMMSF’s mission is to provide college scholarships to deserving graduating high school students. The student must demonstrate financial need, community service, athletic accomplishment and be accepted to an accredited college.
As Joe explained to The Island News’ General Manager Buck Boone when the awards were presented, “The Len Miret Memorial Scholarship commemorates the life of a man who was committed to his family and friends and dedicated to the development of young athletes. Not only did Len play soccer, he coached the game for many years. He believed that participation improved physical skills, mental acuity and responsible social interaction.” Len died of colon cancer at the age of 38, leaving a young widow and three children.
Over the past few years LMMSF has awarded scholarships to students in South Carolina, Florida and New York. “We hope to provide a scholarship to a student at Battery Creek High and Beaufort High this year,” Joe stated. “It’s not too difficult to find deserving students. Finding money is a little more difficult. If anyone would like to assist in fund raising or make a donation, they can contact me through our website, www.LMMSF.org.”
