Katarzyna and Ludwik Zaprzalka Fund

Family philanthropy is something John and Laura Zaprzalka know quite a bit about. Both have a long history of giving back to their community. John recently completed his term on the Board of Directors at the Valley Community Foundation at the end of 2016, after twelve years, which included a term as Board Chair. Laura volunteers weekly at their church.

John and Laura have established the Katarzyna and Ludwik Zaprzalka Fund - in memory of John's grandparents - the third fund in three years with the Zaprzalka name on it.

"When we were younger, we didn't have the money so we gave of our time and selves," John said. "Now that we are further along in our careers and our lives, we are fortunate enough to be able to invest some of our assets in the community, which will benefit the Valley for years to come."

In particular, this fund was inspired by the community support his grandmother received as a teenage immigrant from Poland (none of her own family accompanied her to the United States), and then later as a young widow, raising five children in Derby.

"In the early 1900's, there weren't a lot of health and human service agencies like there are now to help struggling members of the community. It was through the help of family, friends and neighbors that people received the support they needed. My father-in-law used to say that throughout his childhood there were always people looking out for him, showing him kindness and care," said Laura.

Like the past two funds created by John, Laura, and members of the Zaprzalka Family, this donor advised fund was established to ensure that the groups and organizations that were instrumental in supporting his family for the last 100 years can continue to do so for the next century and beyond.

"The beauty of the Valley Community Foundation is that we are able to support those groups and organizations that are near and dear to our hearts, and those of our parents and grandparents as well," said John. "We are now able to help even more organizations as they have become woven into the fabric of our family and our lives."