RSPA Establishes Ann Maynard “Butterfly Effect” Memorial Scholarship, Requests Donors

Anonymous donor will match up to $50,000 in individual donations.

RALEIGH, NC – To honor one of its most beloved members, the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA) announced the RSPA Scholarship Fund has established the Ann Maynard “Butterfly Effect” Memorial Scholarship. One of the driving forces behind raising funds for the RSPA Scholarship Program, Ann passed away Aug. 2, the morning after the RSPA’s RetailNOW 2023 trade show and conference.  

Ann and her husband B.J. were the principals of reseller Merchant Data Solutions in Myrtle Beach, S.C., and in 2017 Ann was the first woman inducted into the RSPA Retail Technology Industry Hall of Fame. 

Nearly $14,000 in initial funding for the Ann Maynard “Butterfly Effect” Memorial Scholarship has been raised by the Maynards’ friends and family as well as members of the RSPA Community, including a $5,000 donation from BlueStar. Additionally, an anonymous donor has committed to match every dollar raised for the fund up to $50,000. The intent of the RSPA Scholarship Board and the anonymous donor is to raise a total of $100,000 ($50,000 in individual donations plus the $50,000 anonymous donor match) to create a major RSPA scholarship that will honor Ann in perpetuity.

“We are grateful to the many initial donors who have created this opportunity for our community to honor Ann,” said RSPA President & CEO Jim Roddy. “A scholarship that funds Ann’s favorite charity and recognizes forever her legacy of kindness, generosity, and selflessness would be so wonderful. We appreciate the support so far and hope others can help make a full funding of this scholarship a reality.”

To donate to the Ann Maynard “Butterfly Effect” Memorial Scholarship, visit www.GoRSPA.org/scholarship, click on “Click here to donate to the RSPA Scholarship Program,” and note that your donation is in memory of Ann Maynard.

At every RetailNOW, Ann could be found at the RSPA booth and in the show hallways raising money for kids. At RetailNOW 2022, a team of on-site member volunteers led by Ann raised a record of nearly $8,000. Ann created handmade butterfly magnets and gave them to each donor. Each magnet included this quote: “The Butterfly Effect: A moment that redefines Philanthropy one butterfly at a time by allowing us the opportunity to give to our cause.” Also, Ann was on stage when Terry Zeigler of Datacap Systems announced a $50,000 donation to create the Datacap Systems Scholarship. 

In 2023, Ann was unable to travel to Hawaii for the RSPA Inspire leadership conference, but she was there in spirit as volunteers raised nearly $6,000 for the Scholarship Fund and donors were rewarded with more butterfly magnets. At this year’s RetailNOW, 20 member volunteers raised a record of just over $20,000 for the Scholarship Fund. Ann coordinated a silent auction of an 1875 vintage cash till box that raised $1,300. It was her final act of kindness in 78 years filled with kindness for others.

Since the inception of the RSPA Scholarship Program, the RSPA has awarded nearly $3 million to families of member companies. The children and grandchildren of RSPA members are eligible for merit-based scholarships to help ease the costs associated with post-secondary education.

Ann’s family asked, in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to the RSPA Scholarship Fund to benefit the Ann Maynard “Butterfly Effect” Memorial Scholarship: www.GoRSPA.org/scholarship. Follow this link to read Ann’s obituary in the Myrtle Beach Sun News (Ann Maynard 1945-2023). 

For more information on the RSPA Scholarship Program, visit www.GoRSPA.org/scholarship or email Membership@GoRSPA.org.   

About RSPA (Retail Solutions Providers Association) 
The RSPA is North America’s largest community of VARs, software developers, vendors, and distributors in the retail, restaurant, grocery, and cannabis verticals. The mission of the RSPA is to accelerate the success of its members in the retail technology ecosystem by providing knowledge and connections. The organization offers member-to-member introductions, education, hotlines for legal, security, sales, and business advice, industry advocacy, and discounts on other services to assist members with becoming and remaining successful. RSPA is most well-known for its signature events, RetailNOW® and Inspire® which provide face-to-face learning and networking opportunities. Learn more by visiting www.GoRSPA.org.