New Charity Fund Launches to Honor Lehan Family’s Legacy in DeKalb

A new charity fund has been established to benefit the DeKalb area, honoring the Lehan family, known for their longstanding community presence through Lehan Drugs. The DeKalb County Community Foundation announced the creation of the Jon and Briana Lehan Family Community Fund, which aims to promote equity and enhance community well-being in DeKalb County.

Jon and Briana Lehan initiated this fund to reflect the values of service, kindness, and care that have characterized their family for generations. Jon Lehan, a lifelong resident of DeKalb, shared that his family’s roots in the community extend back to 1946. That year, his grandfather and uncle relocated from Michigan to establish Lehan Drugs, a business that has become a staple in the area.

“This Fund reflects the values our families have lived by for generations: service, kindness and care for one another,” the Lehan family stated in a release. They expressed a desire for the fund to honor their ancestors and to instill those same values in their four children and the broader DeKalb community.

Community Commitment Through Generosity

The Lehan family has long been dedicated to DeKalb through their volunteer efforts, service, and generosity. Jon Lehan grew up with these values embedded in his upbringing, while Briana Lehan, originally from the Milwaukee area, also learned the importance of service. Her family actively participated in community organizations, and her grandparents maintained a philanthropic legacy through their own foundation.

Briana’s experiences, including an internship at the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, deepened her understanding of the vital role community foundations play in fostering local impact.

Jon and Briana met at the University of Iowa and spent several years in California while Jon served on active duty in the U.S. Air Force. They returned to DeKalb in 2008, where both joined the family business, further solidifying their commitment to the community.

The Jon and Briana Lehan Family Community Fund will support various local projects and organizations dedicated to enhancing equity and well-being in DeKalb County. The fund will provide grants through the Community Needs Grant program, addressing critical issues such as food insecurity, affordable housing access, mental health services, and support for underserved populations. The fund will also promote nature conservation and outdoor education initiatives.

A Lasting Impact on DeKalb

The generosity of the Lehan family increases the total grant dollars available to the Foundation’s Board, allowing for greater support of community needs aligned with the fund’s mission. Dan Templin, Executive Director of the DeKalb County Community Foundation, expressed enthusiasm about this collaboration: “We are privileged to partner with Jon, Briana and their family in being stewards of this charitable endowed Fund that will grow over time and provide resources annually to organizations doing good work in communities throughout DeKalb County.”

Contributions to the Jon and Briana Lehan Family Community Fund can be made online at dekalbccf.org or by mail to the DeKalb County Community Foundation, located at 475 DeKalb Avenue, Sycamore. Interested individuals can reach out to Foundation Executive Director Dan Templin at 815-748-5383 or via email at [email protected] to learn more about establishing their own named fund or discussing charitable interests.