Ellis Foundation hosts open house

Herald-Tribune

Friends, family and local supporters assembled at The Ellis Foundation, Fort Scott, Friday, for an open house and ribbon cutting.

During the festivities, guests were greeted and allowed to tour the new facility, which was built to accommodate a growing organization. Danny Ellis, founder, said that the foundation spent 13 years in the previous location on the corner of Judson and Wall streets, but simply could no longer fit in the building.

Operation of The Ellis Foundation moved to the new location on the corner of Wall and State streets earlier this year and is now equipped with more technology, which allows the foundation to reach a global market, according to Ellis.

"We can talk to Europe just as easily as we can talk to New York," Ellis said.

The Ellis Foundation was created by Ellis and his wife Willa in 1998 after the death of their daughter Kathy Lyn Ellis Adriance who was a teacher. The foundation, now under the leadership of Ellis' son, Chris, as executive director, has expanded to a more national and global presence.

Along with partners and donated money, The Ellis Foundation has committed more than $12 million toward college education for students possessing the ability and the desire to succeed though college and into the future.