The Schuman Foundation is celebrating 10 years of helping Sandoval County students pursue their education beyond high school this week.

The Schumann Foundation is a program developed by Douglas and Marie Schumann, who moved to Rio Rancho in 1987 to enjoy retirement. The Schumanns immediately found their place in the realm of volunteerism and community service. The couple joined the Kiwanis Club in Rio Rancho shortly after moving to New Mexico, and Marie Schumann served as a leader in the community until her passing in 1999. Douglas Schumann served as lieutenant governor for Division Two of the Kiwanis Club and remains an active member of the Corrales Club. In addition, he also served as president of the Rio Rancho Kiwanis Club.

Since forming, The Schuman Foundation has awarded more than $1 million to Sandoval County students to help with the cost of higher education by providing scholarships for trade school, nursing school or college.

The anniversary celebration is 4-6 p.m. Sept. 21 at the Rio Rancho Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Sandoval County Commission Chair Dave Heil is also the secretary/treasurer of the Schuman Foundation and invited the public to celebrate a decade of helping students.

“The Schumann foundation is celebrating its 10th anniversary. And in that 10 years, it has contributed more than a million dollars to Sandoval County residents to further their education,” Heil said. “We’re inviting the world because we think we’ve made a lot of good progress in helping a lot of of our Sandoval County residents further their education.”