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The Jackson Community Association, a non-profit organization also known as the Bertha Rogers Fund, can date its origins back to 1925. Bertha Rogers was a young woman born in 1899 in Beverly, Massachusetts. She came each summer with her father to the Jackson Falls House. In 1925 she met Miss Katherine Trickey (later Mrs. Stilphen), a teacher at the Jackson Grammar School. Miss Rogers wanted to do something for the children of Jackson, some of whose families needed assistance with life’s necessities. Miss Trickey mentioned that Mrs. Wigglesworth, a summer resident on Thorn Hill, occasionally sent presents to the children, which were greatly appreciated. Early in December of
that year, a box arrived from Miss Rogers with a note requesting Miss Trickey distribute the contents to those children who needed them most. The box contained scarves, mittens, hats, games and candy, all of which delighted the children.
A similar box arrived in 1926 and 1927. In 1928 Miss Rogers sent a check asking Katherine to buy a present for each child in Jackson. Miss Trickey and Mrs. Flossie Gile traveled to Portland to purchase the gifts that year. A Chirstmas party was arranged with Christmas caroling followed by Santa distributing the gifts to the children. This tradition continued for almost seventy years with Marjorie March, Rachel Doucette, Peggy Frost, Betty Breen Hatch, and Mary Badger assisting in purchasing the gifts from Miss Rogers and planning parties.
In 1961 Miss Rogers decided to officially incorporate the Jackson Community Association, granting the organization an endowment to support an annual Christmas party as well as "to promote and aid charitable and worthwhile causes in Jackson…" at the discretion of the trustees.
In 1963, the Jackson Community Association began to award scholarships to Jackson students pursuing post-high school education. In the mid-1990’s the trustees decided that rather than give a gift to each child in town, the JCA would support various projects in the Town of Jackson as well as providing funds for supplies at the Grammar School. Jackson’s generous benefactor, Miss Bertha Rogers, died in 1989 at the age of 89. The Jackson Community Association would like to see its endowment grow so that we may continue to award scholarships and fund other worthwhile projects in the generous spirit of Miss Rogers. Our endowment is managed by the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. Donations are greatly accepted and can be made directly to the NHCF or by contacting one of our trustees.
Jackson Community Association Trustees
Anne McBride Kantack, President
Mary Badger, Treasurer
Emily Benson, Secretary
Sarah Maynard, Trustee
Carol Ludington, Trustee
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