Letter From Our President

10/15/2009

Its football time again. Yeah. Many of us watch college football on a regular basis and realize that most of the student athletes are on scholarship. Well the start of college football also means that it is time to get out the message of the Friends of 440 Scholarship helping kids receive an education so that their goals may come true. That means GETTING OUT THE INFORMATION REGARDING THE APPLICATION. This can be done in many ways.

First, each division should make certain that their local school boards, including private schools, know about the Fund and have a copy of the applications available. Second, claimant attorneys can notify their clients about potential eligibility and have said applications and notification of same in their offices while defense attorneys can notify their carriers about both areas of eligibility i.e., dependents of injured workers and dependents of those whom are primarily involved in the administration of the workers compensation law. This includes dependents of adjusters, legal secretaries whom only do workers compensation and risk managers.

This year for the first time a doctor gave one of his patients an application which was completed, submitted and awarded funds. Get them off to rehab providers, court reporters, doctors, and anyone involved in the field. Our goal is to help the KIDS. SO THE CHALLENGE IS TO DISTRIBUTE THE APPLICATIONS AND I MIGHT SUGGEST CONTACTING JIM WALKER SINCE HE HAS A PROVEN METHOD OF DOING SO. On another note the state wide meeting was well attended and I would like to thank all those whom attended including the members of the First D.C.A. To follow up on matters discussed, the search for an Executive Director is continuing and a committee is being formed to suggest revisions to the state wide by- laws.

I am attaching a few pictures of the students who attended the meeting. Note the tall and short of the matter. lol!. Till next month, enjoy the pigskin action.

Brian	Eric Sandler Receiving the RAS Award
Sophia	Darcy Williams

WOW! !, Coining a phrase seen in CVS stores, WOW. Last Saturday in Orlando, we either interviewed or reviewed 39 scholarship applicants. Scholarships totaling in excess of $73,000 were distributed amongst the applicants. Every year I am amazed of the quality of student we are able to help to allow their educational goals and dreams come true. All this would not be possible without the support shown by so many through out the State. My sincere thanks go out to all including those who took part in the selection process. This is such a rewarding experience that words can not fully express. Everyone is welcome to take part in the selection all you have to do is call me, Darcy, Blanca or any board member.

Megan Vunk was selected to receive the Jennifer Sadow award which is given to a student majoring in education with emphasis on special Ed. Melissa Berwick received the Michael Reid award which is give en in the area of journalism while Bryan Burnett got the Phillip Feldman award which is given to an individual who displays high character and drive without any specific major.

Attached are some photos of certain individuals whom received awards. They come form all different areas in the state and have different stories and dreams.

I envision a financial challenge in the face of hard times for us to raise sufficient funds to allow all repeats and new applicants to fulfill their dreams. I am sure that the chant sweeping the nation cane also propels the scholarship to new bounds, YES WE CAN. I KNOW WE CAN IF WE ALL PITCH IN. SO LET’S DO IT.

Eric Sandler has won the Richard Sadow Award, and the award will be presented to him at the Workers Comp. Convention in Orlando Marriot Convention Center, on Monday August 17, 2009 at 8:00 AM.

Very truly yours,

Richard Sadow
President