Canton High School
Our History
The Canton High School Class of 1981 has a long history of giving back to the community through projects and scholarships. In 2020, a group of classmates moved forward to formalize the charitable efforts of the class so that the contributions to the Canton, Illinois community can continue long into the future. Members of other CHS classes have volunteered to join the Foundation and have contributed greatly to its success. Subsequently, the Foundation changed its name in 2024 to "Canton Little Giant Foundation".
Our Mission Statement
Our Mission Statement
Our Mission Statement
The Canton Little Giant Foundation is a public 501(c)(3) charity committed to enhancing the well-being of the Canton, Illinois community.
Our mission is to support education, youth development, human services, education, and prevention of abuse.
We aim to make a meaningful impact in the community that has given us so much, paying it forward one gift at a time.
The Original Team
Our Mission Statement
Our Mission Statement
The Foundation was established in 2020 with a group of leaders from Canton High School's Class of 1981. This team dedicated its time and effort to establish a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation along with setting the organization on its path for the future.
The original team consisted of:
John Buskirk
Denise (Berry) Gebel
Jennifer Gibbs
Lynn
The Foundation was established in 2020 with a group of leaders from Canton High School's Class of 1981. This team dedicated its time and effort to establish a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation along with setting the organization on its path for the future.
The original team consisted of:
John Buskirk
Denise (Berry) Gebel
Jennifer Gibbs
Lynn (Kleinschmidt) Reid
Thom Rumler
Tracy (Dominski) Snowman
Bill Stockham
Jeff Sykes
Our History
Our Mission Statement
Our History
A group of 1981 Canton High School classmates got together in 2020 to create a charitable organization focusing its efforts on raising funds, all on a voluntary basis, to give back to the Canton, Illinois community.
Over the years, graduates from other CHS classes continued to join the team on a strictly volunteer basis and have been instr
A group of 1981 Canton High School classmates got together in 2020 to create a charitable organization focusing its efforts on raising funds, all on a voluntary basis, to give back to the Canton, Illinois community.
Over the years, graduates from other CHS classes continued to join the team on a strictly volunteer basis and have been instrumental to the continued growth of our giving.
Therefore, the name of the foundation has been changed to "Canton Little Giant Foundation".
board of directors
Becky Coay Shepler
FOUNDATION CEO / CO-CHAIR
Nurse - Retired
Residence: Canton, IL
Class of 1981
Thom Rumler
FOUNDATION COO / CO-CHAIR
FOUNDATION WEBMASTER
IT Consultant
CSG Government Solutions
Residence: Noblesville, IN
Class of 1981
Ashton Dare
Ashton Dare
FOUNDATION CFO / TREASURER
Assistant VP Retail Manager
MidAmerica National Bank
Residence: Cuba, IL
Class of 2009
Committee members
Jyl Churchill Barnard
FOUNDATION SECRETARY
Executive
Curtis Barnard Financial
Residence: Canton, IL
Class of 1983
Harley Barnard
FOUNDATION COMMITTEE MEMBER
Personal Banker Coordinator
MidAmerica National Bank
Residence: Canton, IL
Class of 2015
Deb Kuchan Eskridge
Deb Kuchan Eskridge
FOUNDATION COMMITTEE MEMBER
American Red Cross
Customer Service/Records Department
Residence: Canton, IL
Class of 1981
Dawn Frey Fawcett
Dawn Frey Fawcett
Deb Kuchan Eskridge
FOUNDATION COMMITTEE MEMBER
Special Education Teacher - Retired
Residence: Canton, IL
Class of 1983
Jennifer Gibbs
Dawn Frey Fawcett
Jennifer Gibbs
FOUNDATION COMMITTEE MEMBER
Senior Director of Development
U of I College of Medicine
Residence: Chicago, IL
Class of 1981
Stevie Joachim
Dawn Frey Fawcett
Jennifer Gibbs
FOUNDATION COMMITTEE MEMBER
Child Protection Specialist
DCFS Fulton & McDonough Counties
Residence: St. David, IL
Class of 2010
Carol Pratten Smith
Carol Pratten Smith
Carol Pratten Smith
FOUNDATION COMMITTEE MEMBER
Retired
Executive Advisor-Finance (part-time)
SSM Health
Residence: Ballwin, MO
Class of 1981
Jeff Standard
Carol Pratten Smith
Carol Pratten Smith
FOUNDATION COMMITTEE MEMBER
Fulton County Sheriff - Retired
Residence: Canton, IL
Class of 1984
Jeff Sykes
Carol Pratten Smith
Jeff Sykes
FOUNDATION COMMITTEE MEMBER
Field Service Manager
StoCorp
Residence: Blue Springs, MO
Class of 1981