CONWAY -- The Arkansas Educational Television Network Foundation recently received a gift from the Charles M. & Joan R. Taylor Foundation to establish the Joan R. and Charles M. Taylor II Memorial Endowment Fund, AETN said in a news release.
The purpose of the Joan R. and Charles M. Taylor II Memorial Endowment Fund is to support AETN's ongoing educational work with Arkansas schools, educators, students and families.
"The Charles M. & Joan R. Taylor Foundation has been a wonderful partner to the AETN Foundation for more than 20 years," AETN Foundation Board Chair S. Lynne Rich said in the release. "This endowment gift will provide additional support for AETN's expanded focus on educational efforts, including AETN's preschool initiative, educator professional development, curriculum support materials, and connecting to the disadvantaged and to parents."
The endowment is made in memory of Charles Minor Taylor II and his wife, Joan Richards Taylor, who were both "very active in business and civic affairs during their lifetime, focusing on making Arkansas an exceptional place to live and do business," the release said.
Charles Taylor was a Little Rock businessman, working in real estate and insurance and was one of the first 500 Certified Property Managers in the United States. An accomplished aviator serving in the military, he was the recipient of multiple service decorations, it said.
Joan Taylor modeled for Queen Elizabeth's designer and was featured in Harper's Bazaar, Vogue and Draper's Record. She appeared in training films for the Royal Air Force during World War II. She later appeared in movies. Paramount Studios brought her to the United States, but she married Charles Taylor in 1946 and moved with him to his Arkansas home.
The AETN Foundation exists to raise the funds necessary to support AETN's mission of enhancing lives through trusted public television programs and educational services, according to the release.
"The Foundation provides Arkansans opportunities to connect with the only statewide public media outlet by becoming a financial donor, corporate or foundation partner, volunteer or by other means of giving. The AETN Foundation builds relationships between AETN, donors and viewers and is committed to being a transparent and accountable steward of private financial support," it said.
Entertainment on 03/25/2019