The Shermans
Helping their hometown be the best it can be

The Sherman brothers -- Ted, Bill, and Bob -- moved to East Jordan more than 45 years ago when their parents purchased an orchard in the area. Over the years, the family business grew to include more orchards and processing plants, eventually becoming Burnett Foods. The local company -- the largest family-owned food processor of its type in the state -- now distributes Michigan cherries, apples, and other local fruits and vegetables all over the country.

But, while their foods are known far and wide, the Shermans continue to make their homes here, where they remain loyal East Jordan boosters who are keenly interested in seeing their hometown prosper.

As owners of a successful business, the brothers knew they had the capacity to make charitable gifts -- but they lacked the time to oversee their own private foundation and manage the demands of on-going philanthropic requests. In the local community foundation, they found a way to channel their giving, fulfill their ideals, and handle the adminstrative work.

Each brother made a gift of cash to begin their family's field of interest fund. Over the years, they can add to the fund, or expand its scope. Since 1996, when the fund began, the Sherman Fund has supported a variety of beautification and improvement projects in East Jordan, and contributed to other initiatives that benefit East Jordan residents.

Says Bob Sherman, "There are many benefits to giving this way, not the least of which is the tax advantage. Setting up a fund is very easy, and you have the opportunity to recommend just where you want your charitable dollars to go. We established this fund so our kids could learn about philanthropy and participate... and we hope some day, they'll continue our example."