Fayette Community Foundation Welcomes New Board Members

Four members from across the area joined Fayette Community Foundation’s Board of Directors this month.

For 20 years, Fayette Community Foundation (FCF) has offered financial benefits to families and individuals in simplifying their charitable giving. FCF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation designed in 2001 to focus on current and evolving issues and foster collaboration, giving, and the problem solving necessary to build viable communities.

“I am so excited for the Fayette Community Foundation to be an active player in the philanthropic interests of our community,” said Gale Lincke, a founding board member who has volunteered in the leadership of FCF for the last two decades. “The organization presents such rich opportunities to support Fayette County nonprofits and is poised to make a big difference in the future. It is an exciting time and I’m delighted at the amazing range of talents our new board brings.”

Fayette Community Foundation helps local citizens with their charitable giving by directly supporting the many area charities that are making a positive impact within our communities. “The future of Texas depends on strong, successful rural communities,” said Cathy Horn, incoming Fayette Community Foundation president. “Our new board is committed to working with the rural communities in our area to foster solutions to their unique challenges.”

Moving forward, the organization plans to actively convene the public to assess local needs and seek insight on solutions for community members to give back to their hometown. With the initiation of four new members on March 4, the FCF board is comprised of nine individuals, all living in and supporting our rural area. Together we can build healthier, happier, and successful communities.

Karen Bookout of Fayetteville is an artist and a recently retired veterinarian. Bookout teaches community art classes and serves on the board for Arts for Rural Texas. She is beginning her first year as a board member for Fayette Community Foundation and is currently serving on the Public Relations Committee.

Reenie Collins has served her community for years in healthcare and nonprofit administration. She has lead system change and developed mission-driven programs in her role as CEO of Health Alliance for Austin Musicians. Following her recent move to Round Top, Collins has continued her passion for civic involvement by joining the Fayette Community Foundation Board of Directors this year and serving on the Donor Relations, Grants/Scholarships, and Public Relations Committees.

Cathy Horn has served on the FCF Board since 2004 and was elected 2021 incoming president of the Fayette Community Foundation. Horn resides in Flatonia and proudly serves on many nonprofit boards in the local area, including Tejas Healthcare and Flatonia Parks. Horn chairs the FCF Finance Committee while also serving on the Advisory/Investments Committee as well.

Don Jones proudly calls La Grange home and has served his community for years as an active member of many civic service organizations and initiatives. In addition to joining the Fayette Community Foundation Board this year, Jones sits on the Tejas Healthcare Board while also volunteering for the local service, music, and animal charities. As a self-defined “Philanthropy Therapist,” Jones will be utilizing his skillset to assist on the FCF Donor Relations and Advisory/Investment Committees.

Susan Kuehler lives and works in La Grange as owner of Celebrations Events and Catering and has been a member of the FCF for seven years. Susan thoroughly enjoys serving her community and feels strongly about providing opportunities to enhance the lives of all its members. She brings her leadership experiences to the FCF Board as acting Vice President and member of the Community Impact Committee.

Cheryl Pekar of Weimar is Executive Director of the Stanzel Family Foundation and acting Secretary on the board of FCF. Pekar brings her experience and knowledge on rural development to the FCF Board and directly assists the organization in better serving the local families and nonprofits in the area. In addition to volunteering in the leadership of many local service initiatives, Pekar also chairs the FCF Community Impact Committee.

Leslie Penello grew up in Colorado before her career in Petroleum Engineering brought her to Houston. Penello and her husband have since happily retired in Fayetteville where she continues her passion for community service by volunteering for the Boys and Girls Club of Champion Valley, Arts for Rural Texas, and now as a new director of Fayette Community Foundation. Leslie brings energy and passion as a member of the FCF Donor Relations Committee, which positively assists the organization and the public for whom it serves.

Jeanne Schilling has lived in Fayetteville and worked in the local nonprofit industry for years. As a founding member of the Fayette Community Foundation, Schilling has served in the organization’s leadership since 2001. She continues her passion of enhancing our community by acting as Chair of the FCF Grants and Scholarships Committee as well as being a member of the Advisory/Investments Committee.

Linda Streicher is a native Houstonian, but happily moved to La Grange over two decades ago. After a long career in software development, Streicher has dedicated years of community service for local nonprofits such as Second Chance Emporium and Mt. Calvary Church & Pre school. Joining the FCF Board in 2016, she has served on the board in many leadership roles, currently as Treasurer and member of the Finance and Community Impact Committees.

Since 2001, the Fayette Community Foundation has been inspiring local philanthropy to increase the vivacity of the local region and the welfare of all residents. Celebrating 20 years of serving Fayette County and surrounding areas in 2021, the Community Foundation expands charitable giving by providing quality services to donors and bold, innovative community leadership.

For more information, contact susannah@fayettecommunityfoundtion.org or connect with the Foundation via Facebook.