The MOBC has twelve named scholarships which are offered on a yearly basis.  Nine of these have been provided by families, while three are the result of organizational gifting. They are as follows:

The Sun City Center Chapter, MOAA Scholarship

The Grezaffi Scholarship

  The LTC Joseph Grezaffi Memorial Scholarship was established by the Board of Trustees and his widow shortly after his death in January 1996. Joe had been Chairman and President of the MOBC from its inception on 24 August 1992. He was an outstanding person whose dedication to the MOBC and its purposes did much to bring it to fruition.

  Joe loved to be involved with young people. He gave of his time, talent, and resources that they might have better lives. He worked closely with them throughout his military career and knew from first hand experience what encouragement and a helping hand could do to make them better citizens and stimulate their success along the road of life. Scholarships provided a means to this end, and he saw that grants were made as soon as possible after the corporation began operating. With his scholarship, Joe's legacy is not only one of memories, but also one of assisting many high school seniors for generations to come in their quest to obtain a college education.

The Cowan Scholarship

  The Coy and Winifred Cowan Scholarship was established on 14 December 1999 in recognition of their interest in education and their very meaningful financial support of the corporation. The first award was presented in April 2000.

  Coy left the farm and enlisted in the Army Air Corp long before it was fashionable. Becoming an officer, he retired as an Air Force Colonel twenty six years later. He and Winifred met in Tampa, and were married shortly thereafter. They have had a wonderful life together. Retirement and interest in their church resulted in a series of events which found them being "drafted" to accompany the youth group to North Carolina, to teach a childrens' Sunday School class for a number of years, and to support the United Methodist Children's Home in Enterprise, Florida. They were "drafted" once again when the MOBC Board of Trustees named a scholarship in their honor. When Coy is asked why he and Winifred have done what they have in behalf of young people, he responds very simply, "We never had any children and the time came when we were financially able and could help."

The Lissa Scholarship

  On 27 June 2000, the Charles and Sylvia Lissa Scholarship was established in recognition, honor of, and grateful appreciation for their great interest in education and their very meaningful financial support. Sylvia has always been very thankful for those who so willingly enhanced her life through a scholarship, and reaches out in the same manner to help young people today. The initial award will be made in April 2001.

The Keyser Scholarship

  The Clayton and Lily Keyser scholarship was established in June 2002 as a result of Mrs. Keyser's wonderful financial support. The first such grant is to be presented to a selected student in April 2003.

  Clayton and Lily Keyser moved to Freedom Plaza, Sun City Center, Florida in 1992. They had married in 1975 after being introduced by mutual friends. Clayton was a retired independent insurance agent and Lily had retired as a Personnel Director for a chain of department stores in the Great Lakes Area. Clayton especially enjoyed being a member of the Freedom Plaza Investment Club. He had become an expert in this field and shared his knowledge with his fellow members. He passed away in June 1999. The Retired Officers Corporation and the MOBC offices were very helpful to Lily during this time even though Clayton was not a veteran. Lily had always had a philanthropic heart and showed her appreciation by financially supporting MOBC charitable activities. Her primary interest is in education and in 2002 her family suggested that she provide the funds to initiate a scholarship in Clayton's memory and her honor. The Board of Trustees responded by approving the establishment of the "Clayton and Lily Keyser Scholarship" and designating that it be awarded in their names.

The Sun City Center Chapter, MOAA Scholarship

On 17 December 2001 the MOBC agreed to establish a special scholarship in behalf of the Sun City Center Chapter of the Retired Officer's Association (TROA), now known as the Military Officers of America Association (MOAA). The chapter provides the funding and the MOBC handles the administrative aspects of the selection and recognition process. The first student was selected in April 2002 and introduced to the chapter in June.

The Ferguson Scholarship

Through her 28 years of service as an Army nurse, Phyllis saw how the Army took great pride in caring for their own. This was very evident in the medical department where she had numerous contacts with soldiers and their families, often in stressful circumstances. The army became her family. By making it easier for children of the military to attain a better education, Phyllis feels she can help them enrich their lives and carry on the traditions which had inspired their parents to serve and sacrifice for their country.

Retired Officers Corporation Scholarship

The Retired Officers Corporation has been a continuous and faithful contributor to the MOBC. It has provided 80% of the cumulative corporate funds received by the MOBC. In 2003, the ROC Board of Directors decided to initiate a scholarship in the name of the corporation. This fit nicely with the charitable activities of the ROC. Educating the young future leaders of our country has always been a prime reason for supporting such charities as the MOBC. The Board of Trustees is extremely grateful for the thoughtful, meaningful and generous support provided by this wonderful organization.

Dr. Howard & Mary Leary Scholarship

Mary and Howard have always had a keen interest in seeing that young people are able to attain their true potential in society. Having had successful careers themselves, sharing with less fortunate families having talented, dedicated children with leadership potential became an important part of their lives. Over the years they have followed this course wherever they have settled. The MOBC is very appreciative of its selection as the recipient of funds for a named scholarship in their behalf.

Helene and Bert Ison Scholarship

After high school both Helene and Bert were immediately employed. Bert worked in his dad’s Harley-Davidson Motorcycle business while Helene joined an employment services agency in New York City. WWII found Bert in the Army Air corps as an officer. Following the war, his father sold the motorcycle business and Bert became a commercial builder in Connecticut. As a result of their situations, both he and Helene found that they had to struggle to educate themselves. Over the years it became apparent that a college education would have been preferable. Having no children of their own, they elected to initiate a scholarship to assist high school seniors to acquire the education they missed. Their gratitude for the blessings they received over a lifetime will now bless many young individuals into the future.

George and Mimi Frank Scholarship

George and Mimi Frank are long time residents of Freedom Plaza, Sun City Center, Florida.  They are aware of the story as to how this facility came into being through the tireless efforts of a group of retired military officers living in the greater Tampa, Florida area.  It just happened that Freedom Plaza came to fruition at a time of need in George's life.  Thus it was that the Frank's could take advantage of Freedom Plaza living, and they have always been very thankful and grateful to those who gave of their time and energy to see it come to life.  At the same time, Mimi has expressed a deep gratitude for the men and women who have given so much in defense of our liberty and freedom.  While neither she nor George served in the military, they waned to do something to benefit military families now and into the future.  They had always been interested in youth and education.  The Military Officer's Benevolent Corporation (MOBC) provided them with the means to graciously satisfy all their desires through it's high school scholarship grant program.  As a consequence, they elected to provide a named scholarship on an annual basis to a student selected by the MOBC Scholarship Committee beginning in the spring of 2007.

COL Barbara D. Gray and LTC Helen E. Price

 Barbara and Helen came to Freedom Plaza in August 1997.  Both had long and distinguished military careers, Barbara as a USAF and U.S. Army Physical Therapist for 27 years from Tennessee and Helen as a U.S. Army Dietitian for 20 years from Indiana.  In addition to her eleven varied Physical Therapist assignments in the U.S., Barbara's career and sports interest resulted in a number of notable firsts: the Army's first woman skydiver to make a free-fall parachute ump, the first woman to qualify and win a spot on the U.S. Parachute Team, the first woman to be award the Vietnam Special forces Parachute Wings, and the first, and only, Physical Therapist Army Medical Specialist Corps officer to be assigned to Vietnam from 1966-1967.  As a dietitian, Helen served at six hospitals in the U.S. and had overseas tours at hospitals in Germany, Okinawa and Korea.  Having know one another since they had a mutual tour at Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas in 1953, it wasn't hard for them to team up upon retirement for a season of travel in Mexico, Canada and all across the U.S.. Fishing was their hobby and Key Largo their last focus before arriving at Freedom Plaza.  When one asks about the impetus for their scholarship, the answer is quite succinct.  Not only did they sincerely enjoy their military careers and all the advantages they received from the military over the years but the U.S. Army permitted them both to obtain Masters degrees in their areas of interest.  This generosity, when coupled with the countless wonderful adventures and friends they encountered over the years, gave way to an ever increasing desire on their parts to give back to the military families of those they had come to admire so greatly.  Of course, the Army is known for taking care of its' own and when you live with that philosophy long enough, it is only natural that your focus should turn to the military when the subject of philanthropy is raised.  Finally, helping your men and women achieve their educational goals becomes a lasting legacy that provides a tremendous sense of accomplishment and fulfillment on the part of the provider.  Thanks ladies, your generosity will touch many lives!

Initiating a Scholarship

Named scholarships are established in two ways. First, individuals may provide the MOBC with sufficient endowment funds. While the MOBC started giving $6,000 scholarships ($1,500 per year for four years) in 2001, endowed scholarships may be for any amount so long as earned income from the donated funds given to the corporation will sustain the intended grant. In as much as there are so many variables, individuals desiring to name a scholarship in honor of, or memory of someone, should contact the office to discuss the possibilities and particulars. Secondly, the Board of Trustees may honor individuals who have had a tremendously significant impact on the affairs of the MOBC, as well as those who have been significant financial supporters of the corporation, by naming a scholarship in their behalf.

  In either case, a plaque with the honorees' picture and a number of individual name plates is acquired for display. The Scholarship Selection Committee chooses the candidates to receive the named scholarships. An annual luncheon held in April acknowledges and celebrates the student's accomplishments. In addition to certificates, the name of the student is entered on the plaque, and a picture is taken with the individual(s) for whom the plaque is named. The plaques are currently displayed in the auditorium of Freedom Plaza as indicate in the photo below.

  Individuals who contribute to the corporation during a given year will have their names published in the Annual Report under various category headings designated by the term "Club." Additionally, an MOBC Logo Pin is provided to each new contributor of a $100 annual gift. These pins are normally mailed in January. Should the annual gift be $1,000 or more, small tokens of appreciation will be presented as discussed under the Cumulative Donor Program.

  Donor Wall Plaque Cumulative gift categories begin at the $1,000 level and are always designated by the word "Circle."

  Individuals reaching these levels of gifting will have their names published in the Annual Report and be invited to a luncheon at Freedom Plaza, Sun City Center, Florida in May. In addition, small tokens of appreciation are presented to the attendees as they attain new levels of gifting. Businesses also receive suitable items of appreciation. Upon entering the Patron's Circle, the individual(s), or corporate name, is added to the large Donor Wall Plaque maintained in the Sun City Center office of the MOBC.

  Gifts to the corporation may be designated to honor individuals in two ways. In the first instance, a gift may be presented in honor of a living person or current event. Examples include marriages, promotions, the provision of assistance, and the birthday of a senior citizen. Secondly, gifts may be given in loving memory of a deceased individual. In both cases, the establishment of such an remembrance also permits multi-year giving if the donor, or donors, desire.

  The Annual report lists the new remembrances that have been initiated during the year, along with the names of the individual(s) and/or corporations participating in their establishment. Prior year remembrances are only listed in those cases where an additional gift has been made during the year covered by the report.

  The Victor's Circle is the title of the MOBC's Bequest Program. Individuals making a bequest to the corporation become members of this Circle. Indeed, bequests have the potential of being one of the most important fund raising programs of the corporation.

Making a Bequest...

  Every effort is made to satisfy the desires of the donor when making such gifts. In order to accomplish this, the corporation must be made aware of the donor's intent in advance; particularly if tangible property is involved, or named scholarships are to be established. There may be occasions when the Board of Trustees would not be able to accept such a gift. For example, a property that would require the commitment of substantial corporate funds prior to sale, or a desired scholarship which would fall outside of the eligibility criteria for MOBC grants.

  In any case, all such major gifts to the corporation should be prepared with the advice and supervision of an attorney and/or accountant who specializes in planned giving. The officers of the corporation are available to discuss such matters upon request. Strict confidentiality is maintained.