Stanley and Irene Chlebowski Memorial Scholarship Fund

Irene and Stan "Smiles" Chlebowski, were life-long Valley residents who taught their children the importance of supporting the Valley community from a very early age. Stan was born in Derby and attended Derby Public Schools, was a WWII Veteran, and a longtime member of the Highland Golf Club. Irene was born in Shelton and attended Shelton Public Schools. She was a homemaker, as well as an enthusiastic sewer and knitter.

Their children, Bob Chlebowski and his sister Susan, both formerly of Shelton and now living in San Francisco, CA and Rochester, NY respectively, wanted to honor their parents' love for the Valley. Bob began searching for a way that would best meet their needs and found the Valley Community Foundation during an online search.

"We contacted VCF and found that they provided the endowment opportunities that we were looking for," said Bob. "We were able to do all of this over the phone and via e-mails long distance. It was straightforward, easy and took no time at all."

Bob and Susan established the Stanley and Irene Chlebowski Memorial Scholarship Fund in memory of their parents. Each year, this Fund will provide one graduating Shelton High School senior who is pursuing nursing or an allied health field with a scholarship that is renewable up to four years.

"Shelton provided Susan and I with the benefits of a growing up in a small town where everyone knew each other," said Bob. Susan agreed. "Our dad earned the name 'Smiles' while working at the former Sponge Rubber Products company in Shelton," said Susan. "The nickname stuck because he was always smiling, never had a bad thing to say and would give anyone the shirt off his back."

"Our parents always stressed the importance of education as a way to grow professionally and as a person," said Susan. "They made great sacrifices for our education and we could not think of a better way to honor them than by creating this scholarship at VCF."

To make a tax-deductible contribution to this fund, please complete the secure, online credit card form below: