FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 1, 2001
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Missouri Boys State
THE AMERICAN LEGION MISSOURI BOYS STATE MEMORIAL
TRUST TOPS FUND RAISING GOAL
THREE-YEAR CAMPAIGN ENDS WITH $30,000 ANONYMOUS
STOCK GIFT
(Kansas City) -- After three full years of active
fund-raising, the Board of Trustees of The American Legion Missouri
Boys State Memorial Trust announced contributions and pledges of
$562,338 following the successful conclusion of its first ever major
gifts campaign. The campaign ended with an anonymous stock contribution
valued at $30,000. The announcement came after a regular meeting
of the Board of Trustees on January 20, 2001 in Kansas City.
The Board of Trustees had set a goal of raising
$500,000 in contributions and pledges by December 31, 2000. By exceeding
the goal, the Trust qualifies for a challenge grant from the Harmon
Family of Warrensburg, MO. The Harmon Family pledged to donate $250,000
should the major gifts campaign reach the $500,000 mark. Mr. &
Mrs. Adrian Harmon and their sons, Tom and Lynn Harmon have been
great supporters of the Boys State program for many years. With
their generous pledge and the money raised during the major gifts
campaign the Board of Trustees projects a balance of over $1,000,000
by the end of 2002. A check presentation is planned for the June
18th at the 2001 session of Boys State in June at Central Missouri
State University in Warrensburg, MO.
James Whitfield, Chairman of the Board of Trustees
said, "We are humbled by the tremendous support we received
during the major gifts campaign. By meeting our fund raising goals
we are one step closer to providing financial security for The American
Legion Boys State program."
While the majority of the money raised will fund
an endowment for The American Legion Boys State program within the
Trust, a large portion of the money raised will go to fund sponsorships
for young Missouri leaders from all over the state to participate
in the program.
"We see the success of the major gifts campaign
as a strong endorsement for the kind of leadership training we strive
to provide for young Missourians", said Mike Stewart, Director
of The American Legion Boys State of Missouri. "It also gives
us the financial freedom to continue to recruit outstanding students
from every corner of Missouri."
The American Legion Boys State of Missouri is a
leadership and citizenship training program for Missouri high school
students who have successfully completed their junior year. The
program is sponsored by The Missouri American Legion. The 2001 session
of Boys State will take place at Central Missouri State University
in Warrensburg, MO from June 16 through June 23.
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