MERF Welcomes New Director Caity Bell

The board of directors of the Mentone Educational Resources Foundation (MERF) has announced the hiring of new Executive Director Caity Bell, who has been on the job since early August.

“We can’t believe our good fortune that someone with Caity’s skillset and knowledge and love of this area was available and willing to take on this job,” said MERF Board Chair Adelaide Drennen. “She’s also got a great attitude.”

Born and raised on Sand Mountain, Bell attended Fort Payne schools. She left the area for six years to study at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, earning bachelor’s degrees in anthropology and religious studies and a master’s degree in religion and culture, with a side of museum studies. “I got very homesick while I was away,” she said. “I always wanted to come back to this area.”

Bell replaces Katie Hand, who has relocated to pursue a new professional opportunity. “Katie came in at a point where we had some big organizational needs,” Drennen said. “She did a great job for us. We will miss her.”

MERF plays many roles in the area. Founded in 1993, the nonprofit grew out of an effort by local residents to bring more art and educational opportunities to the Mentone community. More than 30 years later, its work still centers on a fairly simple idea: figuring out what local students and residents need and finding the people, funds, and other resources to help make it happen.

MERF provides an art teacher for K-6 students at Valley Head School and helps fund educational opportunities such as Space Camp and Sea Lab. It also provides scholarships for local students and adults already in college. And Senior Lunches at the MERF House are a social highlight for many senior citizens.

The role of executive director is multifaceted — and fortunately so is Bell. The job includes coordinating MERF’s educational services at Valley Head School, administering grants, helping plan community and fundraising events, maintaining the organization’s website and social media, and assisting with fundraising. The director also oversees the MERF House and handles a range of administrative responsibilities, from financial records to preparing for board meetings.

In addition to serving in the part-time MERF role, Bell works part time as the archivist for Landmarks of DeKalb County in Fort Payne and is on the board of directors for the Alabama Historical Association. She has many ideas about the future of MERF, but right now she’s getting oriented and getting to know all the folks involved. And grant deadlines are coming up.

She greets her new responsibilities with energy and enthusiasm. “I’m really excited to be doing this job,” she said. “There are so many great people to work with, and this is such a wonderful part of the state.”