Lake Chelan Health & Wellness Foundation awards record $123,000 in scholarships

CHELAN — The Lake Chelan Health & Wellness Foundation has awarded a record $123,000 in healthcare education scholarships this year, supporting 55 students pursuing careers in healthcare.

"That time of the year has now rolled upon us again," said Vita Monteleone, director of community relations for the Lake Chelan Health & Wellness Foundation. "The kids are off to college. The house is somewhat quieter again, and for some that is very hard. And for others this is a new beginning of the next chapter of their lives (parents and students combined), for others it's the next year toward their goal."

Monteleone said the foundation has steadily increased both the number of scholarships awarded and the total amount of funding in recent years.

"We have been giving away scholarship money for many years – this year is our biggest to date. In 2023 we had a mere 21 students and awarded $38,000," she said.

The foundation awarded $46,000 to 30 students in 2024. Monteleone said scholarship amounts increase for returning recipients who continue their education in approved healthcare fields.

"Because of our continuing to fund students in the college, their award goes up with each year they stay in school in their designated field of study (which must be healthcare associated), so in 2025 even though we only had 31 new students requesting scholarship dollars our amount grew to $80,500. But this year we broke all our records and had 55 students and an incredible award of $123,000. That is $287,000 in the last 4 years."

The scholarship program is funded through the Harold & Edna Bragg Healthcare Fund. In 1995, Edna Bragg endowed more than $1 million to the Lake Chelan Health & Wellness Foundation to support healthcare education in perpetuity. According to the foundation, more than $1 million has been distributed from the fund through interest earned on the endowment.

Monteleone said the foundation continues to encourage donations and planned gifts to help sustain its mission.

The Lake Chelan Health & Wellness Foundation works to enhance healthcare in the Lake Chelan Valley by funding medical equipment, supporting healthcare education and advancing wellness programs. The organization's mission also includes increasing awareness of its work and strengthening partnerships with donors to improve community well-being.