Verl I Brooks (1912-1993) attended Hopewell Grade School (a one room school) and graduated from New Windsor High School in 1930 as salutatorian of her graduating class. Most of her life was spent caring for her parents and actively engaging in farming, Miss Brooks loved her rural community and wanted to help its residents succeed.

Unable to fulfill her desire for higher education, she kept herself well-informed and interested in local, state, national, and international affairs and academic opportunities. She was a shrewd businesswoman which enabled her to direct the Foundation income to be used for eligible and deserving Rivoli Township students to attend accredited schools within the United States.

In 1997 trustees received approval under IRS Code Section 170 to make additional charitable contributions to Rivoli Township not-for -profits should the amount of awards not meet the annual distributions required under the IRS Tax Code for Private Foundations.

A decrease in the number of eligible students plus an increase in the value of investments and concern for future management resulted in a petition to modify the Verl Brooks trust. On March 27, 2025 the Mercer County Court approved the following:

• Distribution of $1,500,000 to the Rivoli Rural Fire Protection District Fire Station and Annex project.
• Payment of final scholarships for the 2026-2027 academic year.
• Distribution of remaining funds to the Edward Arthur Mellinger Educational Foundation, Inc. on or before December 31, 2026.