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Our Mission
The mission of the Harkins Community Memorial Foundation is to assist families who are without the needed support in times of crisis by providing support, information and financial assistance.  This program is not to make decisions for families but to let them know what is available in the Rockford, Illinois area should they so choose.  It recognizes that everyone cannot afford to purchase pre-burial plans or life insurance and that crisis situations happen when we least expect them.
History of the Foundation
    The Harkins Community     Memorial Foundation was established by Marva Brown, grandmother of James Lesley Harkins. James lost his life to a tragic drowning, Marva and her family were forced into a world of intense emotion and grief over the loss of James. Along with such feelings of loss and sadness, Marva and her family had to take care of the business of paying for the funeral.
  To help families faced with the death of a child, Marva Brown established a foundation to assist with the funeral costs. She enlisted the support of friends and family to establish the Harkins Community Memorial Foundation. The Foundation continues to work to raise funds to help ease the financial burden on families during a time of loss.


Officers and Board Members

 MARVA L. BROWN, PRESIDENT
  ALBERTA JONES, VICE PRESIDENT
 JAMES PONDS, TREASURER
SU GILBERT, SECRETARY
PENELOPE “ANN” BRUCE,
ASSISTANT SECRETARY
REVEREND FRED LAMBERT,
 
SPIRITUAL ADVISOR
GERALD BELL
BILLY BATES
TREVA L. BROWN

JODI CARROLL
LINDA JOSEPH

 TIMOTHY MEADOWS
JANICE RITTER
JOHN ROBY
 JAY SANDINE
P
HYLLIS SOCKWELL
ERICA WHITE
 



 
The Rockford Park District Foundation is pleased to serve
as a partner with the Harkins Community Memorial Foundation in meeting the urgent needs of grieving families within our community.
Additional support provided by the Gomez Chapel AME Church.
 


Rockford Park District Foundation

 

    

Financial Assistance
  The Foundation provides assistance not to exceed $400.00 for funeral expenses for families meeting the eligibility requirements.
  Additional funds may be available in special circumstances as approved by the majority of the foundation board.
  Funds will be paid directly to the funeral home.

Eligibility Requirements
 
The deceased child must have been between the ages of birth (live birth) and 10 years of age at the time of their death.
 
Legal custody and/or guardianship of the child must be verified.
 
  The deceased child must have been a resident of Winnebago County (Illinois).
 
The deceased child's household qualifies for one or more of the following governmental programs:

- The Food Stamp Program
- Illinois Link Card
- KidCare Card
- Public School Free and Reduced   Lunch Program
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Eligibility for other government subsidy programs will be determined on a case by case basis.

How to Apply for Assistance

 

For Further Information
 Email
marvabrown@rockfordparkdistrict.org

or Phone
815-969-4472

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