Commissary, Fisher House Offer Scholarships
By Gerry J. Gilmore, American Forces Press Service
The Defense Commissary Agency and the Fisher House Foundation have teamed up again to offer educational scholarships to children of military families and retirees.
The Scholarships for Military Children Program is marking its sixth year, DeCA spokesman Kevin Robinson said. The goal, he said, is to provide at least one $1,500 scholarship for each of DeCA’s 268 commissaries worldwide. “It’s important for us to give back to the military community that we serve,” Robinson said. “This is one of the ways we do that, in addition to providing a commissary benefit to our customers.” He added, “Helping the children of military families get an education” is a very worthy cause.
Authorized applicants include unmarried children under age 21 of active duty, Guard or Reserve, or military retiree families, Robinson said. Applicants may also range up to 23 years in age if they are enrolled in school. The application period for this year’s DeCA-Fisher House scholarship program starts Nov. 1 and closes Feb. 22, Robinson said. Application forms for the program will become available in November for pick-up at commissaries worldwide and for download via the Internet at www.commissaries.com or at www.militaryscholar.org.
Robinson said applicants are required to write and
submit an essay on why they admire a great past or present
military leader. More than one scholarship per commissary
may be awarded, Robinson said. In 2004-05, he said, 500
scholarships were awarded. The Fisher House Foundation
administers the scholarship program, which is funded by
manufacturers and suppliers of groceries and services in
the commissary system, Robinson said. Last year, the
DeCA-Fisher House program awarded around $750,000 in
scholarships, said David Coker, the Fisher House
Foundation’s executive director. More than $3.2 million in
scholarships have been awarded since the program began,
Coker said. An outside review panel selects scholarship
recipients, he noted. The annual DeCA-Fisher House scholarship
program is conducted “to honor those that serve,” Coker
said.
Fisher House also builds and runs living quarters on the grounds of major military installations and Veterans Affairs medical centers so family members can be close to hospitalized loved ones.
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Gala Nets More than 29K
Jon Runyan (left), Eagles Tackle and Hank
Fraley (second
from left), center for the Philadelphia Eagles, pose with Maj.
Gen. Glenn K. Rieth (right) - The Adjutant General of New
Jersey and his wife Linda Rieth (second from right) during
a
check presentation Oct. 15. The presentation was held during
the 4th Annual Gala Dinner Dance at the Cherry Hill Armory.
The 4th Annual Gala Dinner Dance Committee presented a check for $5,000 to the New Jersey World War II Memorial Fund and $24,018 to the New Jersey State Family Readiness Council. Photo courtesy of Maj. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth.
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FRC Offers Grants
The State Family Readiness Council has established
a Grant Program that will provide both Family and
Business Grants to deserving New Jersey National Guard
families impacted by deployment.
Business grants are up to $5,000 and family grants
$2,500. Those interested should contact Family Assistance
through the hotline at 1-888-859-0352. More information
is available at the Council’s website help@nj
guardfamilies.com or through FACs or FRGs.
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Energy Saving Tips
With cold weather and winter winds just around the
corner, everyone’s home heating bill will start to climb.
With the recent hurricanes, the costs of heating fuels are
sure to hit the bank balance this winter. Energy saving
ideas can be found at www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/