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TO: Wayne Hunter, President,
Haddonfield Alumni Society (HAS)
cc: Carol Barbano, HMHS
FROM: Baird Foster, Class Gift
Chair HMHS Class of 1956
RE: Class Gifts/HMHS Reunions
Reflecting upon our HMHS Class
of 1956 50th Reunion and our establishing the “Class of
1956 Scholarship for Further Education in Music”, I want to share
this scholarship concept with other classes that may be planning
special reunions but that may not be considering a class gift in
their reunion planning.
A major class reunion, such as the 25th or 50th,
provides an ideal opportunity for raising funds for HMHS through a
class gift. It is also an ideal way for a class to be recognized
and remembered in a meaningful manner--a benefit both to that class
and to the high school.
After speaking with Carol Barbano, advisor for the HMHS
Scholarship Fund, I have learned that there are three basic areas to
which class gift funds may be utilized:
(1)
The general “HMHS
Scholarship Fund,” a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt fund. Class gifts to
this fund will be used by the Fund Administrator as seen fit.
(2)
A specific gift for
the school itself, such as monies to be used for special auditorium
lighting (a current need) or another specific item which the high
school may require but that may not be included in the budget.
(3)
A specific Scholarship
Fund allocation for the class holding the reunion. Contributions
can be directed to the “HMHS Scholarship Fund c/o the Class of XXXX.”
These contributions are included in the fund and enjoy the tax
advantages of the fund but are assigned to a specific scholarship.
The details and procedures of this plan can be developed with Carol
Barbano at HMHS.
The Class of 1956 chose this
third method, as it was that committee’s desire to have a
scholarship for further education in
music in the name of the Class of 1956. The initial fund raising
yielded $5,600; additional contributions have pushed the total to
$6,200 as of Jan. 17, 2007. News about the scholarship with
solicitations for contributions is sent via e-mail to nearly 150
classmates. A copy of our press release is attached.
The HAS has the opportunity to
encourage class gifts and to make the various class reunion
committees aware of the options and needs of the high school. I
would welcome the opportunity of sharing information about creating
a specific class scholarship and making class gifts in general, with
any reunion committee. As noted above, the concept of a class gift
may be overlooked and an opportunity lost for both the class and
HMHS.
Interested Class
Representatives are welcome to contact me via Telephone
(856-235-5862) or E-mail (mcmfoster@yahoo.com).
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