Chris May knew before he joined the RCCF staff in 2023 that he wanted to do something for his parents, Doug and Lonnie, to show his appreciation. In 2024, he got his chance.

Lilly Endowment’s GIFT VIII initiative offered match funds through RCCF, which incentivized several people, including Chris, to create an unrestricted fund to honor loved ones. As a Rush County native and executive director of RCCF, he has witnessed firsthand the significance of honoring family through establishing a fund.

“These unrestricted funds do all kinds of things in every corner of the county for people of all ages, means, abilities and interests. In addition to my parents, Rush County raised me, so this was a chance to try to say thanks and give back and be supportive of something that gives great value to the community,” said Chris.

He created the Doug and Lonnie May Family Community Fund because of the appreciation he has for his community, but most of all, his parents. Creating his family’s fund, he had the recurring thought that so much of his identity and values are attributed to his parents. He ascribes his work ethic and discipline to his parents, and those characteristics are taking shape through the May family’s contributions to RCCF and community.

“They are great parents. They are great people. How do you show your thanks, your appreciation, and how do you make sure other people think of them, thank them, and remember them?” he said. “To leave their name, memory, a legacy, an unrestricted fund at RCCF was absolutely the best way to go about anything like that.”

He presented the fund to his parents at Christmas, and they were grateful for their chance to provide support for the community. “I was surprised and felt happy that a fund was created that would help the people in Rush County,” Doug said.

For many contributors, establishing a fund at RCCF means materializing a legacy, but for the May family, the fund means so much more. Lonnie grew up in Rush County, just like her father and his siblings, the Snedegar family. After growing up near Center Christian Church, Doug and Lonnie raised their children, Chris and daughter, Taylor, in their Raleigh home that was built by her father Lacy Snedegar and her brother Jeff.

Through the Doug and Lonnie May Family Community Fund, she honors not only her own upbringing but also her family and their roots in the county. Her voice broke as she described, “I think back to the Snedegar’s. It goes back to [tribute] the history of my family and to pay it forward.”

Doug and Lonnie May treasure their memories in Rush County, making their family fund even more sentimental. “We just found that there were a lot of nice, good people with small-town ethics. [They] cared for each other. That meant a lot to me,” said Doug.

Together, the May family reflects on the uplifting nature of Rush County, and they aim to return the favor by nurturing the community that remains embedded in their hearts.

“A lot of people have needs and not many means, and to me, it’s just nice to help other people,” said Doug, echoing his family’s philanthropic sentiments.

To help the May family support Rush County, contribute to the Doug and Lonnie May Family Community Fund.