About Us

Empowering Lifelong Knowledge

The Cantell and Gladys Merrell Education Scholarship Foundation is the charitable arm of Cantell Lodge #1417 and Gladys Merrell Temple #1049 in Alliance, Ohio. To honor the legacy of our commitment to excellence in education, the Lodge established the Foundation with the purpose of awarding financial awards to those who may need just a little financial push. The Art & Dr. Gloria Malone Memorial Scholarship and the Homer Locket Remembrance Scholarship were established in June 2023. The Scholarships are intended for students who embody a love of learning and have demonstrated their potential for significant achievement. The monetary award provided by this scholarship is meant to help young people attain victory.

A Message from the Desk of the President

Welcome to the Cantell and Gladys Merrell Education Scholarship Foundation, Inc. website. I am honored and humbled to serve as the first President of this newly established foundation. Founded in 2023, our mission is deeply rooted in the legacy of Cantell Elks Lodge No. 1417 and Gladys Merrell Temple No. 1049, of the improved benevolent protective order of elks of the world with a focused commitment to empowering youth through educational opportunity.

This Foundation was born out of a long-standing tradition of service, excellence, and community uplift. We proudly serve the Alliance, Ohio area by providing scholarship awards to graduating seniors, helping remove financial barriers and opening doors to higher education.

As we begin this important journey, I am inspired by what we’ve already achieved and energized by the road ahead. Our Foundation has awarded EIGHT tuition-based scholarships to date.

Our commitment is clear: we will continue to expand our reach, champion education, and stand in the gap for students with potential but limited resources. We honor the past, serve the present, and build for a future where every deserving student has the opportunity to pursue higher education, without limits.

As we move forward, our vision is bold: to become one of the most trusted and impactful local scholarship foundations in Ohio, known not only for the number of scholarships we provide but for the lives we empower and the communities we strengthen.

To our supporters, donors, and community partners: we invite you to join us on this extraordinary journey. Your gift, no matter what the size, becomes a seed of hope in the life of a student. Whether you give financially, volunteer your time, or share our mission, you help shape brighter futures.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela

As we grow, we intend to expand our reach, launch innovative programs, and forge strong partnerships that will allow us to serve even more students. In a world still feeling the effects of global uncertainty, foundations like ours play a critical role in providing hope, stability, and opportunity for our youth.

Let us be the hands that lift, the hearts that give, and the minds that believe in what is possible. I believe the Cantell and Gladys Merrell Scholarship Foundation is poised to become a beacon of hope for generations to come. Thank you for your support, your trust, and your commitment to helping us carry out this important mission.

With gratitude,

Keith T. Avery

President

Cantell & Gladys Merrell Education Scholarship Foundation, Inc.