CPF Convention: Introducing the California Firefighters Endowment
Families of those who have lost a loved one in the line of duty know that they have an extended “firefighter family” who will always be there for them. That commitment means more than money … it means giving them hope for a future forever diminished by their loss.
Beginning this year, California’s fire family has committed itself to insuring a piece of that future – a college education.
In its first official action, delegates to the 42nd Biennial CPF Convention authorized the creation of the California Firefighters Endowment. Through corporate support and the efforts of CPF’s California Fire Foundation, the Endowment will build a permanent fund aimed at substantially boosting scholarship awards for the children of fallen firefighters.
“When a child loses a parent in the line of duty, they lose a piece of their future,” said CPF President Lou Paulson, who chairs CPF’s non-profit Foundation. “Through this endowment, we want to do what we can to secure at least part of that future by bringing a college education within reach.”
Currently, the Foundation’s Daniel A. Terry Scholarships provide up to $2,000 in awards to students. Through the Endowment, the Foundation hopes to more than double those awards. The Endowment supports this mission through a permanent fund supporting families. As the fund grows, interest will be used to support increasing scholarship awards to the children of fallen firefighters. The initial “In the Line of Duty” campaign seeks to build a $2 million endowment to support the scholarships.
During the introduction at the Convention, delegates were also introduced to the Endowment's first founding sponsor -- the PGA's Presidents Cup. Presidents Cup Captain Fred Couples designated the Foundation as the recipient of some of the charitable money raised by the biennial international golf tournament, and the Presidents Cup's Executive Director Tom Clark was on hand to present the Endowment's first corporate contribution.
“Scholarships change lives," said California Fire Foundation Director Vanessa Robinson. "They open doors and create opportunities that may have been limited due to the loss of a parent. The California Firefighters Endowment will help children from firefighter families pursue their dreams."