Why Give
Why should I give to St. Mary's?
That is a fair question, and the answer is different for practically every donor who supports our school. Each supporter’s motivation and inspiration for choosing to give to St. Mary's is unique to their experiences, passions, connections, and interests.
Ultimately, as you will see from the stories below, while each donor’s reason is unique, they all share a common passion for upholding and furthering the mission of St. Mary’s Episcopal School for generations to come.
Ways to Make an Impact
Since St. Mary’s founding in 1847, people like you, have enriched our school in so many ways through generous philanthropic investments.
We'd love to help you find the best way you can leave a legacy at St. Mary's.
Philanthropy Department
901.537.1426
philanthropy@stmarysschool.org
Ginny Waller Zanca ’76
Three strong threads run through Ginny Waller Zanca’s ’76 life: family, church, and St. Mary’s Episcopal School. She joined the school as a sophomore following years of encouragement from her grandmother, Virginia Finch Waller, Class of 1928. “My classmates welcomed me and made me feel as though I had been there since day one, which speaks to who they were and who they remain today," Ginny shared. Three years connected her for life.
Peggy Wilson Lawrence
Peggy was incredibly grateful for all her parents did to send her and her sister to St. Mary’s. While cleaning out her parents’ attic, she came across financial documents, including a bill for tuition. “I realized my parents made many sacrifices for us and never complained about it. But what if they couldn’t do that for us? What if there was a girl who really needed the education and environment at St. Mary’s and couldn’t afford it?”