We are happy to report that the Chief Morrow Memorial Fund is off to a strong start. In the event you could not be with us in September, the dedication of the permanent memorial to Bill at the Somers Point beach (shown above) was a great success. Some 200 former boys and girls club members and their families – plus a sizeable turnout by the extended Morrow family – attended what was a wonderful event and enjoyable evening.

There is also encouraging news to report regarding initial financial support. Thanks to the generosity of many of you, individual contributions to the Chief Morrow Memorial Fund, which have ranged from $25 to $2,500 each, now total some $17,000. Additionally, the McDowell family as a group, in the memory of their parents, Kathryn and Samuel McDowell, has committed $50,000 payable over four years, with its initial $25,000 grant paid in 1999. As a result, the Memorial Fund now stands at $67,000 in contributions and committed pledges. Currently the fund has some $25,500 invested in interest-bearing instruments, net of having paid approximately $4,000 for the memorial plus incidental startup and mailing expense. Our success in minimizing these costs has been aided greatly by the fact that everyone involved has volunteered his or her services, including Harry Scott and Art Ford who have provided all accounting and legal services, respectively, free to the organization. It also helped that the fund secured federal tax-exempt status (No. 31-1676145), making 1999 and all future contributions deductible for those who itemize their US tax return.