Applications for the Sharon and Gary Kelly Scholarship Fund are now open. Established to provide financial support to students graduating from a secondary school in Essex County, this scholarship aids students pursuing a post-secondary degree in either an Accounting or Financial discipline at either St. Clair College or the University of Windsor. This scholarship is to be credited to the successful recipient’s account to support their Winter semester tuition. 

If you are a student pursuing post-secondary studies in accounting or finance, this could be the support you need to help you achieve your goals. Let this be the opportunity that helps shape your future! LEARN MORE & APPLY

INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF OUR YOUTH

The Sharon and Gary Kelly Scholarship Fund, held at the WECF is more than just a financial award, it is a beacon of hope and opportunity for local students pursuing post-secondary education in finance and accounting.

Sharon and Gary Kelly know firsthand what it means to work hard for an education. Both came from humble beginnings, growing up in working-class families where every dollar counted. When they pursued their post-secondary studies, there were no scholarships or financial cushion, just determination, late nights, and part-time jobs to make ends meet.

It was at university, while both studying accounting, that Sharon and Gary met. Their shared values of hard work, resilience, and ambition brought them together, and so began a lifelong partnership. Both would go on to become Chief Financial Officers, building successful careers rooted in the very field that brought them together.

When they retired, Sharon and Gary reflected on their journey and knew they wanted to create a legacy, not just in name, but in impact. They understood how much a little support could have meant during their own student years, and they wanted to give today’s students what they never had: peace of mind and the freedom to focus on their dreams.

And so, the Sharon and Gary Kelly Scholarship Fund was born, a generous and compassionate initiative established through the WECF. Over the past five years, the Fund has supported students pursuing degrees in accounting and finance, easing their financial burdens and opening doors to opportunity.

One such student is Erin, a bright, dedicated young woman who has been a scholarship recipient since 2022. Erin’s journey is a powerful testament to the impact of the Kellys’ generosity. With the financial assistance provided through the scholarship, Erin was able to focus on her studies without the constant weight of financial stress. Now entering her final year of university, she is preparing to launch her own career in accounting, following in the very footsteps Sharon and Gary once walked.

Thanks to Sharon & Gary Kelly, Erin’s dream is within reach.