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MDRT Members Awarded Grants for 10 Charities in June

Below is a description of 10 MDRT Foundation grants that were presented by MDRT members to charities benefiting MDRT member communities in 10 U.S. states.

William E. Burrus, a 42-year MDRT member from Birmingham, Alabama, presented a $2,500 grant to Sight Savers of Alabama on June 3. This grant supports the Children's Vision Health Program that provides eye care aids and medical equipment for more than 4,000 uninsured children each year.

Scott J. Salinas, CFS, CLTC, an eight-year MDRT member from Neptune, New Jersey, presented a $10,000 grant to Comfort Zone Camp on June 7. This grant funds the Travel Scholarship Program, which provides financial assistance for campers' and guardians' travel expenses.

Brian H. Ashe, CLU, a 37-year MDRT member from Lisle, Illinois, presented a $5,000 grant to PACT on June 12. This grant enhances and expands PACT's Life Management Services, which provides private guardianship, trustee and advocacy services for families with relatives who are disabled.

William V. Parsons, Jr., CLU, a 29-year MDRT member from Nashville, Tennessee, presented a $2,500 grant to Renewal House on June 19. This grant provides security improvements for a comprehensive long-term recovery community for women.

Joyce P. Baker, LUTCF, a 27-year MDRT member from Potomac, Maryland, presented a $15,000 grant to Community Alliance for Progressive Positive Action (CAPPA) on June 21, on behalf of her late father and 44-year MDRT member Eph Baker, CLU, ChFC, from Montoursville, Pennsylvania, who sponsored this grant. This grant funds an academic tutoring and performing arts program for students in Grades 2 through 12.

Thomas J. Gilliam, CLU, an 11-year MDRT member from Chesterfield, Missouri, received a Quality of Life Award from the MDRT Foundation honoring his volunteerism for Covenant House Missouri. Gilliam accepted the $25,000 grant on June 24, during the MDRT Annual Meeting in Toronto, Canada. This grant funds the Rights of Passage Transitional Living program, which teaches education, employment skills, and financial self-sufficiency to youth who are homeless.

Brian P. Winfield, CLU, a 32-year MDRT member from Virginia Beach, Virginia, received a Quality of Life Award from the MDRT Foundation honoring his volunteerism for Seton Youth Shelters. Winfield accepted the $10,000 grant on June 24, during the MDRT Annual Meeting in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This grant provides ongoing support of the shelter, school-based counseling and educational programs for youth who are homeless.

Mark Dorfman, CLU, ChFC, a 12-year MDRT member from Lynbrook, New York, received a Quality of Life Award from the MDRT Foundation honoring his volunteerism for OHEL Children's Home & Family Services. Dorfman accepted the $5,000 grant on June 24, during the MDRT Annual Meeting in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This grant funds a substance abuse and prevention program through individual and group counseling, group presentations, workshops, family support groups, psychosocial and psychological evaluations, and a mentoring program.

Gregory B. Gagne, ChFC, a nine-year MDRT member from Exeter, New Hampshire, received a Quality of Life Award from the MDRT Foundation honoring his volunteerism for Make-A-Wish Foundation – New Hampshire. Gagne accepted the $5,000 grant on June 24, during the MDRT Annual Meeting in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This grant funds the production costs of marketing materials and development of educational outreach programs about Make-A-Wish Foundation.

William E. Whitaker, CLU, ChFC, a 21-year MDRT member from Seattle, Washington, received a Quality of Life Award from the MDRT Foundation honoring his volunteerism for National Multiple Sclerosis Society – Greater Washington Chapter. Whitaker presented the charity with a $2,500 grant on June 24, to help fund the Emergency Assistance Program, which provides assistance to families in crisis after a Multiple Scleroses diagnosis.

View a listing of all 2008 grant recipients in the Grant Programs section of the MDRT Foundation's Web site.