Class Gift
On this page we will post information about our class gift to be presented during our 50th reunion. As the result of input from classmates we have decided to present our gift as the BUHS Class of 1964 Memorial Scholarship Fund. See below for the latest updates on this important class project. If you have any questions or comments please contact Ray Puffer via email at ray.puffer@gmail.com, or by phone at 518-272-6421.
Dear Classmates, October, 2013
With less than nine months to go before our 50th reunion it is time to provide an update on our efforts to raise funds for our class scholarship fund, which we plan to announce during our 50th reunion. Please note that the dates of our 50th reunion have been changed due to a change in the BUHS school calendar. Our reunion will now be held June 20-22, 2014. Your class reunion planning committee has been busy planning what we are sure will be a very enjoyable and memorable 50th reunion for all who attend. Look for more details about the times, places and events for the reunion activities in the accompanying letter. We hope to get a high turnout of classmates from all over the country. You know, we are not getting any younger, and an opportunity like this does not come along very often.
And now for an update on our fund raising for the class scholarship fund. First, the good news. To date we have received cash and pledges totaling more than $10,000. The bad news is that we have received donations or pledges from only 30 classmates, for a contribution rate of only about 20%. We will work hard to increase that percentage as we want our class gift to truly be a gift from the entire class, not just from a few individuals. We believe that the rate of participation is much more important that the total amount of funds that we raise. By the way, the class of 1963, for their 50th reunion class gift awarded two $2,500 scholarships, and challenged our class to beat what they have done. I am pleased to report that we have already done that.
The exact number of scholarships to be awarded, the size of those scholarships, and the duration of the scholarships will be determined by the class scholarship committee, with consultation with school administrators. So far the following individuals have volunteered to serve on the class scholarship committee: Peter Bugbee, Pam Felter Holland, Elaine Merrill Flood, and Raymond Puffer. If you would like to serve on this committee please contact Ray Puffer (ray.puffer@gmail.com, 518-272-6421).
As you all know, we have lost 36 classmates who have no opportunity to participate with us in our scholarship award activities. Please consider making an additional contribution in memory of one of our departed classmates. I cannot think of a better way to honor their memory. A complete list of our fallen classmates also includes: Doreen Atema Patenode; Lawrence Bauman; Cheryl Beebe Kearney; Dale Bergeron; Ronald Blood; Eric Brackett; Patricia Brown; Sandra Chaimberlin Robertson; John Chase; Martha Collins Bacon; Linda Marsten Gouger; Powell “Pookey” Crowley; Constance Dean; Edward Dodge; Diane Mosher Fosburgh; Charles Gray; Christopher Groeger; Gary Harris; Patricia Hescock; Melinda Holden Bussino; Daniel Hudon; Frances Ingalls Lougee, Marilyn Kinsman Tobey; Edward Laraway; Lawrence Manley; Cynthia Mann; Malcom McCracken; Christina Mears Rudolph; George Medor; James Olson; Charles Quinn; Stuart Searles; Ronald Stinson; Barbara Walker; Preston White; and Carlie Wilson Patch.
If you have not yet made a contribution to the class scholarship fund please consider making a donation or pledge at this time. If you have already given please consider increasing your contribution. Give an amount you can afford and feel comfortable with. We want our gift to represent the wishes of a majority of classmates. If you can afford to do so please consider also making a donation in memory of a fallen classmate and friend. A donation form is located at the bottom of this letter. Remember, your donations are 100% tax deductable.
Finally, if you would be willing to help the class scholarship committee with our fund raising efforts by making phone calls to a few classmates please let Ray Puffer know. We really can use the help, and nothing shows results like the personal outreach from an old friend. Feel free to call or email Ray Puffer if you have any questions, comments or suggestions about our class gift.
Best wishes,
Your Class Scholarship Committee
