Charlie Glassenberg and Jacquie Hemmerdinger wanted to do something special for their mother, Judi Glassenberg, on her 60th birthday. “It’s a special birthday,” Charlie points out. They decided on a gift that will help teachers and kids for decades to come.

“They came up with this idea,” says Judi, who’d told her children firmly that there was   “absolutely nothing” that she needed. She’s delighted that they and their respective spouses, Abby and Damon, decided to mark her birthday by establishing the Judith Glassenberg Classroom Enrichment Fund, under the Let’s Read initiative of the Community Foundation of Southeastern Connecticut. “It’s a way to help,” she says.

Judi worked as a teacher before she had children, and today those children are quick to say that she was always a great teacher for them. “We wanted something related to what she’s interested in, what she’s amazing at,” Jacquie says. “Teaching kids to read has been one of her great passions.” Charlie says, “We’re paying tribute to her life-long interests—children, teaching and learning, and knowledge.”

Charlie, Jacquie and their mother all point out that schools never have enough money in their budgets for the wonderful extras that dedicated teachers yearn to provide for their students. The fund is designed to cover some of those extras, especially in underserved communities. Judith eagerly lists some possibilities, like “a special reading corner, a special science project, anything that lets a teacher take that extra step forward that may really touch somebody.”

Charlie and Jacquie chose the Community Foundation for the fund because their family has another fund there also, and they know how the Foundation works. “I like the way the Foundation reports to you as a donor, how it manages money and how it helps the community in a focused and coordinated way,” Charlie says.

He and Jacquie live elsewhere now, but they grew up in New London, where their grandfather settled more than 80 years ago after emigrating from Russia. “We still care about the area,” Charlie says. “It’s been a wonderful home for the Glassenberg family.” “It’s nice to give back to a community that has given us so much.” Jacquie adds.

Judi is proud of her children, for understanding what matters. She hopes that other families might see things the same way.

As Charlie puts it, “Family celebrations are a great opportunity to help the community.