Local leaders JW Cleary and BA Hamilton with Fred Paxton, who with his wife, Peggy, provided the endowment's initial funding. Their dream: Develop a more diverse and qualified job candidate pool to enhance the economic success of our entire McCracken County community.

As a business and community leader, Fred Paxton recognized that for McCracken County to grow and prosper, all citizens must grow and prosper. In January 2006, Fred and his wife, Peggy, established a $1 million McCracken County Community Career Endowment, inviting fellow business and community leaders to match that amount. The annual interest, then, could be invested in programs and partnerships that prepare and connect job seekers with area employers.

Sadly, Fred passed away just months after creating the endowment. The board and a growing list of supporters are honored and determined to carry out our shared vision.

The board has embarked upon a number of programs including:

There's no doubt that increasing the education levels and job skills of our African American community will result in a greatly expanded pool of more diverse and qualified job candidates. And that, of course, enhances the economic success of our entire community.

Call us at 270-444-6962

E-mail us at mc3cendowment@aol.com

Visit our office at 300 South Third St., Paducah, Kentucky 42003