At a glance
“We feel good that all the students that are recipients of our funding are going to be able to go on and have a better life. One of the ultimate goals is to inspire other people to also give so they know the impact of helping these students.”
Dottie Kelsey
For Tom and Dottie Kelsey, giving back isn’t just a good deed - it’s a way to honor the communities that shaped their lives.
Tom grew up in Wellsville and, together with his wife Dottie and their family, has made a lasting impact on Ӱֱ State College’s School of Applied Technology campus in Wellsville, along with many other organizations in the communities they’ve called home.
Just four years ago, Tom and Dottie’s son David established the Kelsey Naylor Family Foundation. Tom, Dottie, and David’s twin sister Mandy serve as trustees, helping decide which communities and organizations to support.
David, who lives in Old Lyme, Connecticut, and has found success in real estate investment, funds the foundation with a clear goal: to “give back to the communities that are significant to the family.”
“I was born and raised in Wellsville with my three older brothers,” shared Tom. “My father John spent from age 17 to 65 in the oil and gas business with a majority of those years at the Sinclair Refinery.”
Fittingly, Ӱֱ State’s Wellsville campus now sits on the land that once housed the Sinclair Refinery.
“When the Foundation was established, activities in Wellsville were going to be one thing at the top of the list,” Tom continued.
The Kelsey family knew they wanted to support the David Howe Library, but they wanted to do more. A family friend, Dr. Joe Felson, introduced them to Dean Jeff Stevens at Ӱֱ State.
“One of the aspects of the foundation is my son’s concern for the physical facilities themselves,” Tom explained. “I asked Jeff about his needs for the buildings, and we got around to student needs and the fact that tools for some of the programs here (on the Wellsville campus) cost as much or more than tuition.”
Those conversations led to the creation of a Tool Fund. Students in need can apply for help through the Dean’s office to get the tools required for their programs.
Dottie understands how much this support can mean to a student’s future. “I can’t imagine being talented, smart, and capable and not being able to get the tools to make that into something that you can use to help others.”
She added, “We feel good that all the students that are recipients of our funding are going to be able to go on and have a better life. One of the ultimate goals is to inspire other people to also give so they know the impact of helping these students.”
The couple recently returned to Wellsville for Tom’s 65th high school reunion — a trip that brought back memories of Memorial Day parades, swimming, Little League games, the pet parade, trips to the library, meals at Texas Hot, days at Brooklyn grammar school, high school, and time spent with friends like Joe Felson.
“It was like taking a breath of fresh air,” Dottie said of her first visit to Wellsville. “All the storefronts were open and there were great places to shop.”
While visiting campus, the Kelsey’s saw the Heavy Equipment Operation Simulators in action as instructor Adam Fitzpatrick taught a microcredential course. The simulation lab features eight machines that let students practice on different equipment in various conditions.
The Foundation has now made three gifts to Ӱֱ State. Their most recent $125,000 donation is twofold: $100,000 goes to the Tool Fund and $25,000 will establish an endowment.
“We are a drop in the bucket compared to other foundations across the country,” Dottie said. “We hope this gift inspires others to give so they know the impact they can have on these kids’ lives. It doesn’t have to be a large gift. If you’ve ever lived hand to mouth, you know that $200 is a huge amount and can make a big difference. Any amount will help.”
Beyond Wellsville, the Kelsey Naylor Family Foundation also supports the Trenton Public Library, the North Palm Beach Public Library, Florida’s Academic Games Program, the South Florida Fair, and Today’s A Good Day program for premature infants at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
When asked why giving back to meaningful communities is so important to the family, Tom didn’t hesitate: “It’s the right thing to do.”
