FBINAA JANFEB MAG.2019

THE FBINAA CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

A member’s daughter was suffering from a life-threatening illness, and she was hospitalized several hours from home. The member’s wife had to quit her job and move into a hotel near the hospital for many weeks, which needless to say caused severe financial distress. The Foundation was able to provide a cash gift to the family in their time of need. The FBINAA Charitable Foundation exists primarily to aid members in times of extreme need. House fires, wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, and severe illness have been just a few of the circumstances in which we have given financial assistance to our active fellow graduates. Two stories serve as great illustrations of this purpose.

WillieMays Towai graduated from the 247th Session, the first member of the police in Palau to attend the National Academy in many years. Palau is an island nation in the southwest Pacific, the scene of horrific and costly fighting on the island of Peleliu during World War II. Just a few weeks after graduating, Willie and three others were flying a maritime patrol looking for reported illegal fishing boats in Palauan waters. The plane disappeared with all four aboard. Willie was a beloved figure among his classmates, and they raisedmore than $12,000 to give to his family. The Foun- dation added its own donation and sent the entire amount to Wil- lie’s widow. There are many other stories about this kind of assistance, and they will be recounted in future articles. The Foundation hosts other programs as well, including college scholarships for members’ children and grandchildren. Last year alone we funded more than 20 scholarships; read more about this program in an upcoming article. Please watch for this column to learn more about your Foun- dation. You can assist us in two different ways: be alert for mem- bers who could use our help; and support us financially so we can continue to offer more substantial aid to our brothers and sisters in need.

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