Habitat for Humanity SF/SCV extends a very heartfelt thank you to the Don and Lorraine Freeberg Foundation for their generous three-year grant to fund our pilot Military Children’s Enrichment program. We know that this will make a significant impact on the families we serve and change the lives of 78 military families in a profound way.
Most of the military parents that we serve have not been educated in today’s math/common core standards and feel adrift in providing assistance with children’s homework. By offering tutoring with a parent present, it gives an opportunity for both parent and child to collectively receive “best practice” study skills and habits, such as assessing best modality of learning-i.e., tactile, visual, auditory; learning via mnemonic devices; learning how to make flip charts, etc. Furthermore, this provides an opportunity for the parent to be included in early identification of children’s specific needs and/or challenges.
The late Don Freeberg and his wife, Lorraine, both felt it important to give back, and they established the Don and Lorraine Freeberg Foundation in 1991. The Foundation funds capital improvements and new programs for worthy nonprofit organizations. Our Military Children’s Enrichment program combines three of the Foundation’s mission focuses – education, healthcare, and veterans. The Foundation’s focus areas come from the experiences and interests of Don and Lorraine Freeberg. Don started his business career with a morning paper route in Duluth, MN, which he continued until he graduated from High School. Shortly thereafter, he enlisted in the US Navy as an Aviation Cadet and earned his wings. Following the war, in 1946, he returned to the University of Minnesota, and upon graduating with Bachelor Degrees in Electrical Engineering and Business Administration, he took a job with IBM as a salesman. Don and Lorraine married in 1947 and started a family. When Don had saved enough money, he resigned from IBM, and became a builder and real estate developer, eventually building single-family subdivisions, apartments, office buildings and health care facilities. In 1981, he entered the hospitality industry by building, owning and operating hotels, which he continued to do until his death.
Habitat for Humanity SF/SCVs and the Don and Lorraine Freeberg Foundation strongly believe supporting our beloved veterans will undoubtedly strengthen the fabric of our community. It is with sincere appreciation and gratitude that we honor the memory of Don Freeberg and thank the Don and Lorraine Freeberg Foundation. Their support will make an everlasting impact in the lives of the children we serve, as well as future generations.