Thursday, March 19, 2015

Another chance to help other prospect researchers in memory of an esteemed colleague

I received an e-mail from our colleague, Valerie Anastasio, this morning.  APRA MO-KAN members may recall that Valerie was the keynote speaker at our 2010 annual conference.  She currently works as Director of Prospect Development for Boston Children's Hospital Trust and is active in our fellow APRA chapter, NEDRA.

NEDRA has established a scholarship in memory of Heather Reisz, an esteemed colleague and mentor, who passed away in May 2013 at the age of 42.  There's another APRA MO-KAN connection as Heather was one of the favorite presenters at our annual conference in 2011.

My original blog post about Heather can be found here.

Valerie wrote that Heather's family has agreed to match all donations (up to $5,000) made by March 31st.  This scholarship will enable as many as 20 NEDRA members to attend their annual conference at no charge for the next decade.

Below is the text of Valerie's letter.  I'm making another gift and hope you will, too!

I’m writing to ask you to join me in participating in a special match to raise an additional $10,000 for The Heather Reisz Memorial Scholarship.

The Reisz family will match dollar-for-dollar (up to $5,000) every donation made before March 31, 2015.

Reaching the goal will mean that as many as 20 young researchers can attend the annual NEDRA conference for free for the next decade (and maybe even longer)!  Each one will be welcomed by the NEDRA community, and Heather’s indomitable, irrepressible, irreplaceable spirit will shine through those of us who are committed to championing each up-and-coming researcher in her honor and memory.

So join me in making it possible to spread Heather’s love again and again and again… (repeat at least for the next ten years).

Thank you for your consideration.

Valerie
Member, NEDRA Heather Reisz Memorial Scholarship Committee

For more about Heather's life, visit NEDRA's Memorial Page.
To donate online, visit the Heather Reisz Memorial Scholarship Donation Page.

To send a check, mail to:
Heather Reisz Memorial Scholarship
c/o NEDRA
411 Waverley Oaks Road, Suite 331B
Waltham, MA 02452