Philanthropy | Westminster Woods
When Emmy Gooch joined Westminster Woods in Huntingdon, PA, in late 2013, she was searching for the right place to retire. The community’s strong reputation stood out, and after touring the campus with the marketing director, she knew it was the right fit. The available villas met her needs, and the location offered both comfort and convenience—exactly what she was looking for in her next chapter.
Throughout her life, Emmy has been deeply committed to education and understands the importance of continuous learning and professional growth. As an active member of the Westminster Woods community, she began noticing announcements in the commons about a newly established scholarship: the PHPH Scholarship.
Designed to support employees pursuing continuing education, the scholarship provides funding across a wide range of fields. Whether helping a nurse advance to a higher certification or enabling a maintenance professional to attend trade school, the PHPH Scholarship supports educational advancement at every level.
These notices quickly caught Emmy’s attention, prompting her to meet with the Executive Director of Westminster Woods to learn more about how she could become involved. For Emmy, supporting the scholarship felt like a natural extension of her lifelong passion for education.
Her commitment is also deeply personal. Emmy has two grandsons and has fully funded their 529 college savings plans. She believes strongly that young people deserve access to education and the opportunity to build meaningful, stable careers. She is especially mindful of those who want to pursue education beyond high school but lack the financial resources to do so.
While education can be costly, Emmy believes that those willing to learn and grow should not be prevented from doing so because of financial barriers.
Emmy offers thoughtful advice to others who may be considering contributing to the scholarship. “Think about the debt these young people face when they graduate from college,” Emmy explains. “Even if they don’t finish, they often leave with debt. That burden alone keeps many people from pursuing higher education.”
Scholarships like the PHPH Scholarship provide individuals with the opportunity to further their education without accumulating overwhelming debt. Emmy believes young people—and working professionals—should be able to better themselves without fear of financial strain.
Aware of the challenges posed by poverty and economic inequality in today’s society, Emmy is intentional about giving to causes that help individuals improve their circumstances. Through her support of the PHPH Scholarship, she hopes to inspire others to give as well.
Want to join Emmy in her endeavors? Make a donation to the PHPH Foundation today!