Beautiful Music
Cori and Brian Humes, born and raised in families for whom helping others is a way of life, knew they had the desire, and knew they had the wherewithal. What they didn’t have was a plan.
But all that changed in an inspired moment of clarity.
“Several years after starting my (architecture) business (in 1997), we were fortunate to have some additional income. We knew we wanted to make a difference, but we didn’t know how,” says Brian. “Then Cori says, ‘Why don’t we establish scholarships in our parents’ names?’ It was perfect; a fitting legacy for all our parents had done for their communities.
“And it didn’t take long for us to turn to the Community Foundation.”
The Humes’ establishment eight years ago of the Allen and Rosalind Humes Humanitarian Scholarship and the Paul and Mary Karam Music Scholarship is all the more special because their parents are alive to not only relish the tribute, but to see the impact on others of their children’s generosity.
Paul Karam, now retired, was music director for the Berlin school system for more than 30 years; both he and wife Mary were active for years through volunteer work in the public schools and at Kensington Congregational Church. Allen Humes, the long-time, retired minister at Kensington Congregational, and wife Rosalind have made humanitarianism their life’s work. Now, thanks to their children’s vision, their life’s work will continue ad infinitum.
These two special scholarships, though, are only the beginning of the Humes’ philanthropy – and involvement with the Foundation. Cori is a long-time member and past president of the Junior League of Greater New Britain and was president-elect when the Junior League established its donor advised fund at the Foundation. She is also heavily involved with Kensington Congregational Church, where Brian is vice moderator as well as a former deacon and chairman of the board of trustees. Both are charter members of the Foundation’s Catalyst Fund.
“Over the years, the more we got to know the people at the Foundation, the more we have wanted to be involved,” says Cori. “The Foundation does such good work now, but I really see it as having the potential to do even greater good in our community in the years to come.”
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