Georgia Foundation Awards Record $2M in Scholarships

A father who lost his daughter in a tragic accident now calls 28 students his "new children" after awarding them life-changing scholarships.

The Abbie DeLoach Foundation held its 11th annual scholarship luncheon this month in Savannah, Georgia. The event honored 28 high school students from across coastal Georgia, the largest class since the foundation began in 2016.

Abbie DeLoach was a nursing student and athlete at Georgia Southern University when she died in a car crash on Interstate 16 in April 2015. She was one of five nursing students killed that day. Her father, Jimmy DeLoach Jr., created the foundation a year later to honor her memory.

"As a father who might have lost one daughter, I have gained so many new children that are inside our foundation, and it really just warms your heart," Jimmy said at the luncheon.

The foundation looks for students who embody the qualities Abbie showed: academic excellence, athletic commitment, leadership, and dedication to serving others. Many of this year's recipients plan to pursue careers in medical fields, continuing Abbie's dream of helping others.

One scholarship recipient, a member of the same Kappa Delta sorority Abbie belonged to, said Abbie's presence is felt throughout their sorority house. "She's talked about all the time," the student shared. "Being able to learn about her story and also receive this scholarship is a great honor."

The Ripple Effect

What started with eight scholarship recipients has grown to 28 students this year. The foundation has now awarded more than $2 million total since its creation. That's 2 million dollars that turns grief into opportunity, transforming one family's worst day into brighter futures for dozens of students.

The foundation's work extends beyond scholarships. They also support charitable projects abroad, spreading Abbie's legacy of service even further. Jimmy DeLoach says what makes their foundation unique is the values they uphold every single day.

Each scholarship represents a student who will carry forward Abbie's spirit of compassion and service into their communities and careers.