“The ABA Foundation” “Strengthen Now To Thrive In The Future”   In a few short months, the ABA Foundation will complete seven years in support of the American Bridge Association’s social conscience, academic scholarships, bridge awareness programs, and other national charitable activities.  The ABA Foundation extends sincere appreciation to all who have contributed donations, volunteer efforts, suggestions and good wishes.  Because of your laudable spirit of philanthropy, the ABA Foundation has expended more than $160,000 in grants for annual ABA scholarships, bridge education, and relief to national disaster victims.      Welcome to a new member of the ABA Foundation Board of Directors, Worth Christler (Atlanta, GA) and thanks to Barbara Gooden (Detroit, MI) for accepting the position of Secretary.  Members of the ABA Foundation Board will meet with the ABA Board of Directors in Houston.  We will review present procedures and discuss how the ABA Foundation can best promote the ABA’s agenda. I am always glad to hear from you so do not hesitate to send me (see ABA Bulletin for address) suggestions and requests for information.  In fact, I urge you to talk to the ABA Foundation Boardmember close to you if you have questions or concerns.  Believe me, your views will be addressed just as if you were present in our teleconference or Board meeting. Are you interested in joining the Board of Directors?  Let us know.   Further, the Foundation is now in partnership with Verizon.  Verizon has agreed to return a percentage of certain merchandise sales made to ABA members to the ABA Foundation.  Winston Edwards, Vice President, ABA Foundation Board of Directors, will monitor the program with Verizon. Angela Jones, ABA Foundation Boardmember, is working to update the Foundation’s website. She has registered the ABA Foundation with Goodsearch.com and GoodShop.com.  Details and instructions as to how YOU can participate will be available during the Houston Spring National and published in the next ABA Bulletin.   The Foundation’s fundraising efforts are on-going.  As the world witnesses the financial institutions and automobile giants solicit bailouts in the millions from Congress, please remember your ABA Foundation in your charitable giving.  The ABA Foundation,  sole funding source for ABA’s annual academic scholarships, greatly needs your tax free contributions to increase ABA assistance to struggling college students, provide more youth programs and bridge outreach opportunities in our communities.   Your support of ABA Scholarship, Benefit, and Special Benefit Games has, in the past, strengthen the ABA Foundation.  In the future, we will thrive from your individual contributions and the continued support of ABA Sections, and Clubs.  The ABA Educational & Charitable Foundation, Inc.-- we are family.  Please send your charitable giving, tax exempt contributions to Fred Broussard. Financial Secretary, ABA  Foundation, P.O. Box 270844, Houston, TX 77277-0844.  Be Blessed and Thank You -- Carrolena Key, President   The ABA Challenge To Philanthropy   “Building With Bridge For Excellence”   The ABA Foundation extends heart-felt thanks to all who have supported the Foundation’s Fundraising Campaign.  Generous donations have been received.  Rather than spend money on decorations for the ABA Summer National Awards Dinner, the Atlanta Bridge Unit presented a $600 check to the ABA Foundation and $1020 to be used for the Katrina Program has been received from the Detroit Bridge Unit.                                                                           Thank You                            Thank You                               Thank You                                Detroit Bridge Unit                Les Fitness Bridge Club           Mary L. Sirmons                               Iris Carr                                  Dr. & Mrs. Arnold Jones           C.F. Richardson                              Doris Douglas                        Mary E. Moragne                       Earline Winn                             Atlanta Bridge Unit              Jane Harris                                 Frances Powell    Your philanthropy is critical to the success of the ABA Foundation.  As the season of giving approaches, please do not forget the ABA Foundation.  There are numerous giving options, including long term plans, such as annuities and trusts and the ABA Foundation needs the support of every ABA member. Your partnership with and support of the ABA Foundation will make the ABA Foundation a special resource that can serve and sustain the American Bridge Association.                                            The Fundraising Campaign never ends. Please mail donations to:  abaECF, Inc., P.O. Box 270844, Houston, TX 77277-0844.