Frank Lanza from the Chagrin Valley Rotary club was our guest speaker Weds. morning. Frank has been a rotary member for 44years! In addition, he has been a member of the Chagrin Chamber of Commerce for about as long and started his business the Highway Garage on Washington St. about 45 years ago too! Frank is a dynamic speaker and did not disappoint us with his command of the information and facts surrounding 529 Funds. These funds are intended for parents to save money for their children's college education someday. Well, Frank not only educated all four of his kids but all eight of his grandchildren as well. Now there aren't any more family members that can utilize the massive amount of 529 funds he has accumulated in his account over the past 30 years. He is attempting to change state and federal legislation tax laws that will eliminate the 10% penalty for early withdrawal of these funds as well as the tax on any funds withdrawn that are not utilized for educational purposes. He has spoken to congressman David Joyce and State senator Bernie Moreno to get support for these changes. Frank would like for all parents who are no longer using their 529 funds to be able to donate the entire amount in their accounts to the local Rotary Foundations which are 501(c)(3) tax exempt organizations so that the entire 100% of the funds can be used to educate students who are not related and may not be attending accredited colleges or universities. Frank wants to see the funds go to teach our youth to get into the trades and reward them for working in jobs that require them to "work with their hands!" It is a great idea whose time has come, and our club wholeheartedly supports this effort. We wish Frank the best of luck as his home club and foundation has already begun to implement this pilot program so he can point out to our legislators that it works! Go get 'em Frank!