Wayne Simmons Memorial Fund, a lasting gift

Local veteran’s endowment fund marks nine years of donations

Wayne Simmons, a hardworking electrician, outdoorsman, veteran, and weekend Chef at Fred's Lounge in Big Lake, lived modestly, which allowed him to amass more than people probably imagined. After being diagnosed with terminal cancer, Simmons knew his time was limited. Nine years ago, before he passed, he went to his financial adviser Reed Mendelson to discuss leaving money to several good causes.

"So, I suggested to him, because of my involvement in the Community Foundation, that instead of giving a one-time gift of hundreds of thousands of dollars, that he could create a fund of money that would give to these charities forever," said Mendelson.

Simmons’ was sold on the idea and created an endowment fund to support local nonprofit organizations by using his life savings, valued at a little over $1 million, to take effect after his death, which occurred in March of 2014.

This marks the ninth year the fund will be donating to local nonprofits. Among the organizations that receive the yearly donation is the Salvation Army where Simmons’ parents often donated. Others included the American Cancer Society and the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home, which held a special place in his heart.

Below originally published by KPLC on December 16, 2022, by Amma Siriboe

Each organization explained how they intend to use the funds in Simmons’ memory.

Tim Morrison with the Salvation Army says, “We’re going to use it to start some programs, to help start job training, to get computers in the building, to provide night shelter for people, food for people. It will be able to visibly help people, we are going to change lives with that money.”

The American Cancer Society says they plan to use the money to help ease the travel cost for their patients.

“They’ll give gas cards out, take their funds, buy gas cards, and patients whether it is them putting gas in their car or paying their friend to take them back and forth. They can utilize that,” said Associate Director Katie Weinnig.

Steve James, who is the pastor of Trinity Baptist Church, says, “The funds are used to take care of their physical needs, medical needs, their education, all of that is done right there in the children’s home.”

So far over $325,000 has been donated via the Wayne Simmons Memorial Fund.

To learn more about opening a fund and the types of funds at the Foundation, click here or contact Sara at sjudson@foundationswla.org