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FUMA Spirit One on the Road to Mississippi
In a white bus loaded with clothing and supplies, Fork Union Military Academy's MAJ Steve Macek and CPT Brian Garriss are enroute to Mississippi to join forces with the relief operations of the Baptist General Association of Virginia already in place to aid in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
They hope to return with young men in search of a safe learning environment in which to continue their college prep education.
Schools are among the critically important infrastructure that has been damaged or completely lost in this storm-ravaged region. The Academy is opening its heart and doors to receive at least 10 young men whose families have been affected by this tragedy. This decision came as a result of a recent meeting of the Executive Committee of FUMA's Board of Trustees. The mission of the Academy is to provide young men a college preparatory education in a residential, Christian environment and the family at Fork Union Military Academy is eager to welcome these young men into their home.
As stated in a recent letter to FUMA's Board of Trustees, General John E. Jackson, Jr. noted, "There was great excitement and compassion in the voices of the Executive Committee, who feel led of the Lord to do this work." A copy of the General's letter to the Board is as follows:
Dear FUMA Board Member
Two weeks ago in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, I called Dr. John Upton, Executive Director of the Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV) to ascertain what the Virginia Baptists were doing in the efforts to help the survivors of the storm. He told me that they had four teams on the ground. I told him that on behalf of FUMA, if the team chief could find families who had lost everything, (not a tall order, given the circumstances), with sons eligible to enroll in grades 6-12, that we would offer to fully fund the enrollment of 2 boys- going so far as traveling to pick the boys up. One of our current parents, from Gulfport MS, lost everything in the storm. Although he's still recovering himself, he called this morning to inform us of a friend of his family- a single mom who works as a nurse. She and her son will arrive on our campus this coming Monday, and we're praying that this boy will stay.
We had previously notified the National Association of Independent Schools, informing them that we had space for up to 12- 6th graders, 12- 7th graders, 6- 8th graders, and 25 upper schoolers (grades 9-12), and would be willing to offer substantial financial aid to help with tuition costs. We have yet to receive any queries regarding that offer.
I stand in awe of what the Executive Committee of FUMA's Board decided to do today. I am very much pleased to report to you that the Executive Committee authorized me to send two Admissions Officers to drive to the disaster area- to the center of destruction to join up with the Virginia Baptist team in Picayune, MS. They leave tomorrow morning with the hopes of collecting as many as 10 young men with which to return to FUMA. There was great excitement and compassion in the voices of the Executive Committee, who feel led of the Lord to do this work. We have space for up to 50 more, over and above the original 10, and I have asked my Admissions guys to see how much interest there would be in filling those slots. If necessary, we'll go and get them too.
The program would be for this school year, and we want to raise $8,000 to cover room, board, and uniforms for each of the boys, so for the first 10, we desire to raise $80,000 to help cover expenses. As only the Lord can do, we already have $50,000 committed from 3 board members and 1 business partner of a board member, so we have $30,000 to go for the first 10. If we can get the whole 60, we would need to have $480,000 in hand to help with expenses. Always dealing in round numbers, (you know me!), if we could make it $500,000 that would be perfect.
Here's the question. Do you want to be a part of it? We all feel led of the Lord to do this thing. I'll keep you posted on our progress. Please give prayerful consideration to what part you may play in this great work.
In His Service,
Lt. General John E. Jackson, Jr.
[Keep us with news from the FUMA Spirit One Team here]
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson, Friday, September 16, 2005 09:33 AM
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