LEGACY STORY

Bob and Penny White

Bob_and_Penny_White

Foundation:

Central Minnesota Community Foundation

Fund:

Bob and Penny White Fund

Fund Established:

July 11, 2006

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Pick any day and you’ll likely find Bob and Penny active and engaged in their community. They believe in giving back and do so through leadership, service and financial support of causes and community initiatives.

“I’ve yet to see any two individuals who are more willing to pitch in and help when other people maybe wouldn’t want to step up to that kind of a commitment,” said John Weitzel, Bob’s uncle and mentor while working at Bankers Systems.

Penny has been instrumental in beautifying and enlivening downtown St. Cloud.

“She deserves a lot of the credit for the renaissance that has started (downtown) and I think will build for the next decade,” said Rick Bauerly, a colleague and friend.

Bob has served on many local nonprofit boards and is leading efforts to enhance the entire region through his work as the first board chair of the Greater St. Cloud Development Corp. (GSDC) beginning in 2011.

“My work with the GSDC has been the pinnacle of the things that I’ve learned and the focal point for creating change and creating improvement in the quality of everybody’s life,” Bob said.

It’s a commitment Bob and Penny’s four daughters know well. From delivering meals to elderly through Meals on Wheels to decorating for Catholic Charities Mardi Gras, giving back was a natural part of the family routine.

“We were always involved and helping others,” their daughter Katie Schad said.At a time when some would choose more golf, time with grandchildren and getaways, Bob and Penny also are making time to be wholeheartedly engaged in making their community better—from downtown to the arts and health and wellness and education. “It’s easy to give when you realize how blessed you are and your values tell you it’s the right thing to do,” Bob said.