Branches for the Lake

04/22/2026

Deadline to turn in scholarship applications is just a few days away.

Links are included below.

We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support and positive feedback we’ve received since announcing our new scholarship opportunities. It has been truly inspiring to see how much this community believes in investing in the next generation and honoring the legacies of Janice Gentile and Dr. Wrendy Marcinik.

In the last 24 hours, we have already begun receiving donations, messages of encouragement, and questions about how to get involved—and we simply want to say thank you. Your support is what makes this possible.

For those who have asked how to contribute, donations can be made directly by contacting us at [email protected] or through our donation link here:
👉https://branchesforthelake.square.site/

Every dollar stays right here at the Lake, helping us support students, mentorship efforts, and real needs within our community.

Our website is in a full makeover stage. We will continue to share updates as it is finalized, but in the meantime, we appreciate your patience, your encouragement, and your belief in what we are building together.

For students interested in applying, applications form questions are currently available here.
👉 Education Scholarship
https://forms.gle/Urt2U6GX9uMv5u5o9

Wellness Scholarship
https://forms.gle/vPgEtMAFqu8QQwcw5

Because of this community, the work continues—and the impact grows.

04/01/2026

We are heartbroken to share the passing of our dear friend and Branches for the Lake board member, Amanda Fagan.

Amanda joined our board in early 2024, bringing with her a spirit of service, connection, and heart that quickly became part of who we are. She was recruited by our founder and late President, Janice Gentile, after years of working together through the Community Foundation—relationships built on trust, purpose, and a shared love for this community.

In her time with us, Amanda made a lasting impact. It was Amanda’s vision to create scholarship opportunities that would carry forward the legacies of Janice Gentile and Dr. Wrendy Marcinik—an idea she helped bring to life so future generations could benefit from their influence. She was also a key part of the 2025 Clown Golf Classic, always showing up, always giving, and always willing to do whatever was needed.

Amanda was a driving force behind the development of our Mentorship Program. She believed that truly helping people comes through connection—not through layers of hoops or paperwork, but by showing up, listening, and taking action. That belief continues to shape how we serve our community.

At the time of her passing, Amanda was helping guide the transition of our website to reflect our evolving vision—trying to continue Janice’s legacy while focusing our efforts in a way that allows us to make meaningful impact, one person at a time.

There is so much we could say about Amanda and the life she lived—but we feel it has been best said through the words of her brother, J Alan Fagan, which he shared on his personal page.

Amanda embodied joy, service, and selflessness in everything she did. Her contagious smile had a way of making people feel comfortable, and her spirit reminds us to live with more kindness, purpose, and connection each day.

The Community Foundation of the Lake has established a fund in Amanda’s honor, and we encourage those who are able to support it as a way to continue the impact she made.

Our board is also working on creating a scholarship in Amanda’s honor—an idea she was passionate about. We will share more as soon as the details are available.

Our deepest condolences go out to Amanda’s family and friends.

Amanda…she was the epitome of a giving friend with a magnetic personality and sharp wit that brought out the best in everyone around her.

View Amanda Jo Fagan's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

03/26/2026

We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support and positive feedback we’ve received since announcing our new scholarship opportunities. It has been truly inspiring to see how much this community believes in investing in the next generation and honoring the legacies of Janice Gentile and Dr. Wrendy Marcinik.

In the last 24 hours, we have already begun receiving donations, messages of encouragement, and questions about how to get involved—and we simply want to say thank you. Your support is what makes this possible.

For those who have asked how to contribute, donations can be made directly by contacting us at [email protected] or through our donation link here:
👉https://branchesforthelake.square.site/

Every dollar stays right here at the Lake, helping us support students, mentorship efforts, and real needs within our community.

Our website is in a full makeover stage. We will continue to share updates as it is finalized, but in the meantime, we appreciate your patience, your encouragement, and your belief in what we are building together.

For students interested in applying, applications form questions are currently available here.
👉 Education Scholarship
https://forms.gle/Urt2U6GX9uMv5u5o9

Wellness Scholarship
https://forms.gle/vPgEtMAFqu8QQwcw5

Because of this community, the work continues—and the impact grows.

03/24/2026

🌿 The Wrendy Marcinik Wellness Scholarship 🌿

This scholarship has been created in honor of Dr. Wrendy Marcinik (1981–2025)—a truly powerful soul whose impact on our community will never be forgotten.

Wrendy was a respected chiropractor, Reiki practitioner, and holistic health advocate serving the Lake of the Ozarks. As the founder of Real Life Chiropractic and Wellness Center and former owner of SQeZ Juice and Health, she dedicated her life to helping others find balance by integrating physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Her work in wellness and frequency medicine created waves of change throughout our community. She had a deep desire for knowledge and an even greater passion for sharing it—helping others grow, heal, and expand in meaningful ways.

To many, she was more than a practitioner. She was a mentor, a guide, a friend, and family.

💚 Before her passing, Wrendy had expressed a desire to create a scholarship fund to support others entering the wellness field. While she did not have the opportunity to bring that vision to life, this scholarship is our way of continuing what she believed in.

Wrendy’s knowledge of her community was instrumental in helping Branches for the Lake develop its Mentorship Program. She had a remarkable ability to recognize where people—especially young people—were struggling and identify gaps in life skills and support.

But she never saw problems as barriers.

She would often say, “That’s fixable—we just need to call a few friends and we can fix that, no problem. Someone in this community can help. What’s next?”

That was Wrendy—solution-driven, connected, and always moving forward.

Her vision was simple but powerful: a community that works together. And those people… were her people.

🌿 In her honor, this scholarship will be awarded to a graduating high school senior who plans to pursue a career in wellness, holistic health, or personal care—fields that focus on helping others heal, grow, and live healthier lives.

Scholarship applications will open on 3/25/2026 and will be DUE 4/25/26. Please visit our website for details:
https://branchesforthelake.org

🤝 If you would like to honor Wrendy’s legacy, donations to the scholarship fund can be made by visiting our website or contacting us directly.

Her light continues through all of us. 💚

03/24/2026

🌟 The Janice Gentile Future Educators Scholarship 🌟

This scholarship was created in memory of our founder and former President, Janice Gentile—a lifelong educator, leader, and passionate advocate for her community.

Janice began her career as a special education and reading specialist, dedicating her life to helping students grow, succeed, and believe in themselves. Her impact extended far beyond the classroom, serving in state leadership roles, supporting countless organizations, and ultimately founding & helping to build organizations like the Community Foundation of the Lake and Branches for the Lake, where her vision continues to guide our work today.

For those of us who knew her, Janice was more than a leader—she was a mentor, a connector, and family. She believed deeply in investing in people and creating opportunities that would last for generations.

💙 In her honor, this scholarship will be awarded to a graduating high school senior who plans to pursue a degree in teaching or education and demonstrates a commitment to working with youth, giving back, and strengthening their community.

Because of Janice, we continue the work—and through future educators, her legacy lives on.

📣 Scholarship applications will open on 3/25/2026 and will be DUE 4/25/26. Please visit our website for details:
https://branchesforthelake.org

🤝 Want to be part of this impact?
If you would like to donate to our scholarship fund in honor of Janice and other dedicated community leaders, you can do so by visiting our website or contacting us directly. Every contribution helps us invest in the next generation.

02/04/2026

Join in on this fun event for dads and daughters. A night of FUN and full of Laughter. Proceeds from the event will benefit our Mentorship program which assists teens/young adults around the Lake area.

01/27/2026

Clown Golf Classic Update from Branches for the Lake:

Branches for the Lake remains committed to supporting The Clown Golf Classic and is proud to continue sponsoring The Dream Factory-Lake of the Ozarks as they work to carry on the tradition of this meaningful event.

As many of you know, there have been some delays in the planning process due to organizational changes and repairs being made to the golf course. Because of these circumstances, the 2026 Clown Golf Classic will not be able to be held on its usual April date.

Please know that planners are working diligently to overcome these challenges and will share updated information as soon as it becomes available. We sincerely thank you for your patience and continued support throughout this process.

In the meantime, the need in our community continues. The Branches for the Lake Mentorship Program still relies on community support, and The Dream Factory-Lake of the Ozarks is always accepting donations to help fulfill dreams for children facing serious illness.

If you have any questions or would like to learn how you can help during this time, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are grateful for each of you and for your ongoing commitment to these important causes.

Thank you for standing with us. 💙

06/19/2025

🎉 Calling All Vendors & Young Entrepreneurs!

There's still time to grab your spot for Family Fun Day 2025 on Saturday. Indoor space available for $35. Young entrepreneurs encouraged to showcase their products and services.

We will have lots of free activities for families, giveaways, craft projects, a live remote with Y107, Show-Me Dinosaurs with dig pits for kids and so much more!

Sign up here: https://branchesforthelake.square.site/product/vendor-booth/97?cs=true&cst=custom

Don’t miss this chance to connect with the community, grow your audience, and be part of a day full of family fun!

06/17/2025

Click here to see all the info on Show-Me Dinosaurs. Come see them at Family Fun Day this Saturday, June 21, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GVJebLJuw4sMfAGp0gEZdINfc2jbXTx1/view?usp=sharing