After much consideration and in view of the risks inherent in the current pandemic, the Board has decided to cancel this year’s annual fundraiser in the interest of everyone’s safety. We know that many of you have endured hard times due to the effect that the virus has had in your life. It is against this background that I thought it important that the Board of the Michael G. Santangelo Jr. Scholarship Fund share with you what your donations have helped achieve.
I am resolute that the momentum the Foundation had coming out of the 2019 event, will not be lost. The 2021 event, which will be the eighth year of the dinner, will be the best event to date.
We understand times are difficult, and want you to know that any donation you can make to continue our legacy of placing at least two children in a private high school each year, including this year and ensuring that they graduate, would be a life-saving donation. Please remember that every donation is fully deductible. At present, we have nine students attending private high schools on a full scholarship. We are pleased to welcome to our family Julia, who has recently received a four-year scholarship to the Academy of Mount Saint Ursala from the Foundation. We also have three students who have graduated high school with the assistance of the Foundation. Tyler is presently a freshman at St. John’s University, Hayven is a freshman attending the University of Pittsburgh and Andreya is presently enrolled in one of the distinguished make-up artistry school and intends to be working at the New York City fashion week next year.
I am acutely aware that only the students themselves can truly express what each of you have meant to them in their lives. This is what the Board hopes to convey to you through each of the student’s writings contained in this newsletter.
I want to take the time on behalf of Michael Jr. and the Board of Directors to express to each and every one of you that your contributions, whether financial or contributing to the event itself, have made this dream possible for the most neediest children to achieve; a dream that Michael, Jr. would be so proud of.