The Doris Butler Memorial Fund
Long before there was a Jersey Surf, Doris Butler embraced the “Sharing the Love” concept. Throughout her life, Doris acted as an instructor, helper and mentor to scores of young people through her activities benefitting youth. One of her great loves, in addition to her husband and 8 children, was marching. For many years, Doris committed herself to marching, both as a participant, then as an instructor and mentor. She marched for a number of her teen years in several corps in southeastern Pennsylvania. Upon aging out, she became a color guard instructor, leading her team to a national championship in St. Louis in the 1950’s. Doris started a drill team in her hometown of Norwood, PA in the early 1960’s and taught hundreds of young women through the years, including all five of her daughters, how to march and do equipment work. She also started the Norwood 4-H Club which became very active in the county. After relocating to Oklahoma, Doris continued her marching interaction by instituting a drill team there, in addition to becoming involved in the Rogers County 4-H organization. Many of her marching students went on to participate in high school and college bands and drum and bugle corps.
Doris instilled a strong work ethic in her children and her students. In addition to her daughters, 5 of Doris’ grandchildren participate, or participated in marching activities, including a granddaughter who was a member of the Jersey Surf Color Guard from 2005 until she aged out in 2007. Marching and helping others remained a passion in Doris’ life until her passing in February 2013. Even though she marched in “the old days”, she loved modern drum corps. The family hopes her legacy endures by awarding a scholarship to a member of the Jersey Surf who exemplifies a strong work ethic and who is making an effort to fund their tour fees. Interested members will submit an essay to indicate their interest in being awarded the scholarship.
Information for Donors to the Butler Scholarship Fund
Donations are made directly to the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps. Make sure to mark your contribution to the Doris Butler Memorial Scholarship on the memo area of your check.
The Jody Smith Swatling Memorial Fund
The Jody Smith Swatling Memorial Scholarship was established in 2009 through a generous donation to Jersey Surf by the Smith family of Frankfort, NY. Jody was apassionate special education teacher for more than a decade at Mt. Blue Middle School in Farmington, Maine, gaining additional recognition for her efforts in the classroom with a nomination for Disney’s American Teacher award. Mrs. Swatling was a percussionist in her high school’s drum line and was also a longtime fan of the drum corps activity. When Jody passed away in 2009 after a courageous battle with cancer, her family initiated this annual scholarship to honor her memory by assisting young musicians with a desire to be a part of the Jersey Surf organization.
Information for Scholarship Applicants
The purpose of the Jody Smith Swatling Memorial Scholarship is to provide financial assistance to members of the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps, while celebrating the life and honoring the memory of this very special and loving person and gifted educator. Jersey Surf members interested in applying for the award must submit a brief written essay expressing their desire to be members of the corps and what their membership means to them.
Information for Donors to the Swatling Scholarship Fund
Donations are made directly to the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps. Make sure to mark your contribution to the Jody Smith Swatling Memorial Scholarship on the memo area of your check. For additional information on the Jody Smith Swatling and Doris Butler Memorial Scholarships, please contact Bob Jacobs, Executive Director of The Jersey Surf.