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P.O. Box 780, Nyack, New York 10960-0780 www.crowthertrust.org www.redbandannarun.com The Man in the Red Bandanna A Civilian Hero of 9/11 September, 2009 |
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Trustees
Alison R. Crowther
Jessica V. Alberti |
Dear Friends, We are very pleased to report to you that, in spite of the financial challenges we have all faced over the past year, we have maintained our high level of charitable giving through the trust. In certain cases we have expanded our giving and some new projects have been supported as well. Because of your tremendous generosity, the fine fund-raising events and efforts of Welles’ friends, and our very low overhead and expense ratio, we continue to be extremely efficient. It is estimated that over 95% of every dollar that you contribute is available for charitable giving. Here are just a few highlights! This year’s Birchwood Awards were presented in June to two most deserving Nyack HS seniors, Kate Jones and Sebastian Fontanges. The Red Bandanna Scholarship at Rockland Conservatory of Music, presented last October, funded the award recipient’s schooling for the year. Once again the trust sponsored, and Jeff presented, a Teacher Recognition Award created by Tribute WTC Visitors Center at Ground Zero for teachers from around the world who have made a significant contribution in teaching 9/11 history. The 4th Annual Welles Remy Crowther Service Award at Boston College was presented in April by Alison and Paige to Su In Park, who directed the trust’s donation to the Cuernevaca Center for International Dialogue on Development. . In the Fall of 2008, the trust again participated in sponsoring the Walden Chamber Players, providing an enriched educational program over several months for advanced Nyack HS chamber orchestra string students. Last fall, we increased our giving to the Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks (The Wild Center) to a major level and sponsored an interactive learning box about owls for children called “Whoo? What? Where?” Please visit www.wildcenter.org to learn about the fine and wide-ranging environmental and educational programs this organization provides. This summer, we added another youth program as a recipient. The Amazing Grace Circus was founded in 2002 by former Big Apple Circus performer, Carlo Pellegrini, at the request of young people looking for a constructive way to respond to 9/11 and give back to the community. Based at Grace Episcopal Church in Nyack, NY, it is a program to teach circus skills, teamwork and self-esteem to young people. Amazing Grace Circus has grown from a one week into a seven week summer series, with outreach programs to inner city areas and other communities throughout the tri-state region. A red and yellow striped Big Top circus tent was erected for two weeks in Nyack’s Memorial Park by the Hudson River and a grand parade with Minnie, the elephant, walked down the main streets of Nyack to announce the circus, enchanting many onlookers of all ages. The trust was the “Elephant Sponsor” for the 2 week “Circus in the Park.”
We continue to honor our long-standing commitments to other fine organizations that benefit young people: Bonnie Brae School for Boys and Institute for Educational Achievement in NJ; in the Boston area, C.O.R.S.E., a summer therapeutic riding program for challenged youngsters and MetroLacrosse, a skills and character development program for inner city youngsters; in New York, Cristo Rey New York High School in Harlem and Children of Bellevue. Our international giving includes the Smile Train and Fundhamer Cebes Scholarship Fund. Plus, many more!! Please explore our website to learn about all of the good work we are doing through the trust.
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The Red Bandanna 5K Run at Boston College, sponsored by BC’s Volunteer and Service Learning Center, Dan Ponsetto, Director and, Kate Daly, Assistant Director, and our team of Jessica Alberti, Paige Crowther, Marielle Sack, Kate and Chris Ferrarone, George Leuchs and Jody Steinglass, and support from many of Welles’ friends from Nyack and BC, continues to be one of our largest fund-raisers. Over 300 runners participated last year. The Crowther Cup at Redtail in Canada hosted by Jon Drake and organized by George Leuchs, has continued as a fund-raiser for many years and “Raise a Cup,” our third wine-tasting and silent auction event, was held at The Princeton Club this June, led by Susie DeFrancis and Michael Barch. Nyack High School Men’s Lacrosse Alums, Eamon DePeter, chief organizer, and Nyack High School Ice Hockey Alums, led by John Scott, Chris and Nicole Varmon and their families, regularly hold fund-raisers for the trust. This year, the 2nd Annual Red Bandanna Service Award was presented at the Bonnie Brae Polo Classic. The awardee was Tim McLoone, New Jersey restaurateur and musician. Mr. McLoone organizes over 30 Holiday celebration events throughout the month of December for people who are institutionalized and have no families to share in Holiday Joy. The grant is given to Bonnie Brae, a school for troubled boys that the trust has supported since its inception. Last fall, our dear friend and Board of Advisor member William V. Harris, Jr. passed away. Bill, a former Marine and volunteer firefighter who owned a heavy equipment company in Rockland County, brought trucks, rigs and manpower down to Ground Zero from September 11th until the recovery operation was ended the following spring. He worked day after day for months on end without a break. As a result, he suffered from severe mercury poisoning which saturated his body and had to endure ongoing medical treatments and ill health. Bill never complained one moment that we were with him and he continued to attend many of the special events held in honor of Welles and other 9/11 heroes and victims. He supplied many 9/11 memorials with steel beams from the World Trade Center. His family established a scholarship fund in his memory at the Pearl River High School. Bill Harris was a true American Hero. God Bless you, Bill. We will never forget all that you did and your enormous sacrifices. The 8th Annual Concert for Remembrance, 9/11 will be held on Sunday, September 13, 5 pm at Grace Episcopal Church, 130 First Avenue, Nyack, NY. As always, the free admission concert will be a beautiful gift to the community from the many fine professional musicians who volunteer their time for the concert. The 5th Annual Welles Remy Crowther BC’99 Red Bandanna 5k Run, will be held Saturday, September 19, at Boston College, race start time is 9:00 am. Day-of Registration will open at 7:30 am. For complete information, online registration or to sponsor a runner or donate, please visit our Run website, www.redbandannarun.com. We cannot thank you all enough for your continued support! Please explore our website for a complete listing of all of the good works we are doing with the dollars you contribute every year. Along with our donations, goes Welles’ story, which is inspiring hearts of all ages, whenever it is heard. Thank you for keeping Welles’ spirit alive and working in others. Together we will bring much Good into this troubled world.
Warmest regards, 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code and is registered with the State of New York. |
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