Update on the HRBOR Scholarship

With the recent death of my mother's sister, not surprisingly, I have been finding myself thinking of my late parents. Almost five months after losing my mother (I lost my dad in 2006), I still cannot full realize emotionally that she's gone - it's like its all a bad dream. One thing I don't regret was endowing the HRBOR scholarship in my parent's memory. My sincere hope is to over time increase the endowment to the point that a four year scholarship can be awarded every year. To do this, more money will need to be added to the endowment. The Hampton Roads Community Foundation has not yet updated its website to include the HRBOR scholarship, but information for a flyer was generated. Here's what the Foundation has provided in terms of ways to donate:

George D. and Marion Phelps Hamar HRBOR Scholarship Fund

Michael B. Hamar started this scholarship as a memorial to his parents and as a tribute to HRBOR, the Hampton Roads Business Outreach, and its support for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community (LGBT). The purpose of the fund is to provide scholarships for self-identifying lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) students attending high schools in the cities of Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk or Virginia Beach, putting special emphasis on those who have demonstrated involvement in the LGBT community and who need financial aid for undergraduate study at a four-year college or university.

The Hampton Roads Community Foundation (the largest grant maker and scholarship provider in Southeastern Virginia) will administer the scholarship fund. It will award the first Hamar HRBOR scholarship in 2012 and applications will be available in December 2011. Please check www.hamptonroadscf.org for details and deadlines.

How to donate by check. To contribute to the Hamar HRBOR Scholarship, you can make your check payable to the Hampton Roads Community Foundation, and mail it to 101 W. Main Street, Suite 4500, Norfolk, VA 23510. Please indicate that your gift is for the Hamar HRBOR Scholarship.

How to donate online. If you prefer to make a gift online using a credit card, please go to www.hamptonroadscf.org and click on the Donate Now button at the top of the home page. Complete the online giving form and check the box under additional information that says, “Named Fund.” Check there and fill in Hamar HRBOR Scholarship under “Name of Fund.” The Foundation accepts online gifts using Visa or MasterCard.

How to transfer appreciated securities. You can contribute shares of publicly-traded stocks, bonds or mutual funds. Please contact the Foundation directly for instructions. The Foundation accepts these assets, and you would receive credit for the fair market value of the contributed assets.

Acknowledgment of contributions. The Hampton Roads Community Foundation will acknowledge your generous contribution. As a 501(c)(3) public charity, your gift is eligible for a charitable income tax deduction to the fullest extent allowed by law.

For more information. Please contact Nan Edgerton, vice president of development, at 757-622-7951 or nedgerton@hamptonroadscf.org.