Terry facilitates new charitable partnership in North STL County

State Rep. Marlene Terry (MHDC)

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — State Rep. Marlene Terry, D-St. Louis, along with other elected officials, has announced a new partnership between three North St. Louis funeral homes and the Jennings, Riverview Gardens, Ferguson-Florissant, and Hazelwood School Districts to provide support for families of need.

William C Harris Funeral Directors, Cotten Branch Mortuary and Cremation Services, and Baucom's Life Celebration Center will donate funding to schools in those districts. Schools will then select students quarterly throughout the year and utilize that money to buy much-needed items.

“If school officials notice a student is coming to school without a coat or they desperately need a new pair of shoes, teachers or principals will have the ability to make sure those children do not have to go without those essentials,” Terry said. “This partnership will help families struggling to make ends meet by providing much-needed resources.”

Terry said she and other North St. Louis County elected officials approached these funeral homes with ideas about holiday-oriented philanthropy last December to forge stronger bonds between schools and community members. However, the funeral homes wanted an opportunity with more perennial impact.

The coalition will celebrate this new arrangement with a community celebration at Renee’s Restaurant March 17, 2022 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.