| World Trade Center "We Remember" Fund |
| First, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to each of you for your most generous gifts in my hopes of establishing a Financial Aid Fund at Bergen Catholic High School in Dom's memory. We raised almost 50% of our goal of $10,000, and I thank all of you for that. Although we are not able to establish a separate endowment in Dom's memory, these funds can be put into a fund already created at Bergen Catholic entitled the World Trade Center "We Remember" Fund to honor all alumni lost in this tragedy (I believe there were 9 alumni and 2 parents of alumni lost). The money will be used for financial aid to families with boys who attend B.C. in the future, who have lost a parent in the attack, and who demonstrate the financial need (tuition in 2002 will be $7,300 per year). With your contributions, this fund will have approximately $16,000 to use for this purpose. Also, after having spoken to Joe Branciforte, the Alumni Director, with your contributions we can have a Stone on the Tree of Life at the school with an inscription in honor of Dom. The Tree of Life was installed in 1994 and is located at the main entrance to the gymnasium area at the school--the most highly-trafficked area by students and visitors. There are currently 138 leaves that have been purchased (@$1,000 per leaf) and 9 stones (@ usually $5,000 per stone, but Joe is willing to make an exception in our case since we are so close to the amount). Most leaves and stones are "in memory of" various lost loved ones. I hope you all share my belief that, although a separate endowment in Dom's name cannot be established, this is still an opportunity to help students in financial need who have suffered through this terrible event and also pay tribute to Dom at a place that meant so much to him. I can't thank all of you enough for your response to this effort!! Mike Pembroke |