MAC Foundation to Honor Chief Jerry Hicks, Sr.
Fallen Police Officer Remembered with Scholarship
 PARK HILLS--Chief of Police Jerry E. Hicks Sr. still lives on in the hearts of residents of Leadwood, Missouri. The community describes him as a man who never met a stranger, saw the good in everyone, cared for others, gave second chances, and went the extra mile and out of his way to help someone, even working up to 70 hours a week. Led by his son, Jerry Hicks Jr., those who knew Chief Hicks would like to keep his legacy alive and benefit his community by ensuring promising students have the opportunity to follow in his footsteps.
Hicks Jr. is a graduate of MAC’s Law Enforcement Academy and has worked 27 years in law enforcement. He says his father left behind a legacy of compassion, honor, respect and caring for his community. “This scholarship ensures that his legacy lives on and supports the future of the work he left behind,” he said. “I’m sure he would be honored to know a scholarship in his name was helping students achieve their goal of serving and protecting."
Family and friends are working to raise the seed money for the Chief’s Scholarship and hope that the generosity of those who knew him will help build and sustain the fund. To achieve this goal, individuals, businesses and organizations can give tax-deductible contributions to the fund at Mineral Area College Foundation Inc. Donations may be sent to MAC Foundation, P.O. Box 1000, Park Hills, MO 63601 or given electronically by calling (573) 518-2114. Giving forms are also available atwww.MineralArea.edu/IGive.
The scholarship will provide financial assistance to a graduating high school senior or college student who is enrolled, or is planning to enroll, in MAC’s Law Enforcement Academy. The recipient is also required to live within St. Francois, Jefferson, Washington, Iron, Madison, Perry or Ste. Genevieve counties. Applications will be evaluated based on specific criteria including academic record; extracurricular, work, and volunteer activities; financial need and special circumstances; a letter of recommendation from an instructor; and a written essay outlining their educational goals. Final award recipients will be chosen by a committee composed of law enforcement officers and family members of Jerry Hicks Sr.
At the age of 69, after 25 years in law enforcement and a lifetime helping others, Chief Hicks passed away Dec. 4, 2011, when he succumbed to severe head injuries sustained six days earlier when his patrol car slide off an icy road and collided with a tree.
“As a Leadwood police officer for 15 years, Chief Hicks was known for his kindness, compassion and friendship. For him, no job was too big or too small. He treated people fairly, and his code of life was to protect and to serve,” said MAC Foundation Development Director Julia Dill. “His character and courage did not go unnoticed. During the last four years of his career, Jerry was proud to be the longest serving Chief of Police for the city of Leadwood, Missouri, and was awarded Police Officer of the Year for his outstanding service with the department.”
Chief Hicks’ commitment to others knew no borders. Before becoming Chief of Police, he served his country in the U.S. Navy as well as in the Army Reserves. He was a deputy for St. Francois and Ste. Genevieve sheriff's departments, and an officer for the Elvins police department. Even during his free time, Jerry cared deeply for his community. He enjoyed refurbishing and driving John Deere Tractors in local parades, and served as Past Master of the Bismarck Masonic Lodge, and a member of the Leadwood Masonic Lodge and the Swords of Bunker Hill.
The committee hopes to award the first scholarship in April for the Fall 2012 semester.
Questions or Gift Ideas? We are happy to match you with your charitable goals. Contact Julia Dill (573) 518-2114.
Planned giving -
Through planned giving, your legacy can support life-changing education and promising students for generations to come.
Student scholarships - Each year, the average MAC student incurs over $4,000 in book and tuition expenses. One hundred percent of your donation helps these students remain in school, avoid costly loans, and complete their degrees.
Quality education - Your gift prepares students to thrive in rewarding careers by providing hands-on training, real-world experiences, and powerful teaching tools to ensure they are equipped to become leaders in their fields.
You may designate a specific department, including but not limited to:
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Tribute gifts to MAC Foundation in honor or in memory of a friend, colleague, or loved one are a valuable way to celebrate a special person.
- In Honor - Acknowledge a special person. When you make an In Honor gift, we will send a card to the person eing honored announcing your gift and its importance to the Foundation. You will receive a confirmatino note as well.
- In Memory - A special way to honor a respected colleage, beloved friend, or family member. You may wish to arrange donations to the Foundation in lieu of flowers. Many also like to make a regular practice of giving on an a birthday or hen that special person comes to mind. When you make an In Memory gift, we will send a card to the family of the deceased announcing your gift and its importance to the Foundation. You will receive a confirmation note as well.
The joy of charitable giving can be very fulfilling. Saving money is also fun! Some seniors will be pleased to learn they are in a great position to do both. Through an opportunity known as the IRA Charitable Rollover, eligible seniors can give donations to MAC Foundation from their IRAs without counting the amount as part of their Adjusted Gross Income and paying taxes on them.
- How does the IRA Rollover work? Taxpayers age 70 ½ and older are required to take annual distributions from their IRAs. The distributions are included in the taxpayers’ adjusted gross income (AGI), and taxpayers pay taxes on them. The IRA Chari table Rollover permits taxpayers to make donations directly to charitable organizations, like MAC Foundation, from their IRAs without counting them as part of their AGI and without paying taxes on them.
- Age Requirement. Donors must be 70 ½ years or older when the distribution is made.
- Donation Limit. A donor’s total combined charitable IRA rollover contributions cannot exceed $100,000 in any one year.
- Eligible Charities. Charitable contributions from an IRA must go directly to qualifying charitable organizations. Contributions to supporting organizations, donor-advised funds, and private foundations, except in narrow circumstances, do not qualify for the tax-free treatment. Your financial advisor can provide guidance.
- Eligible Retirement Accounts. Distributions can only be made from traditional individual Retirement Accounts or Roth IRAs. Charitable donations from 403(b) plans, 401(k) plans, pension plans, and other retirement plans are ineligible for the tax-free treatment.
- Directly to the Charity. Distributions must be made directly from the IRA trustee payable to the charitable organization.
- No Gifts in Return. Donors cannot receive any goods or services in return for charitable IRA rollover contributions in order to qualify for tax-free treatment.
- Written Receipt. In order to benefit from the tax-free treatment, donors must obtain written substantiation from the charitable organization of each IRA rollover contribution. And, we are happy to do so.
Be sure to contact your tax professionals and IRA administrator if you are considering a gift under this law.
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