SCHOLARSHIP FUND DONATION REQUEST

This letter is a request for donations to the AYLA Willie Gateau Scholarship Fund. I know that the year 2005 was an active year of giving for all of us. I personally contributed to several funds, including donations for Tsunami and Katrina victims. I am also continuously asked to make donations to many other very good causes, so I do understand how overwhelming it can be. I would, however, like to ask that you take a short time and reflect on the idea of making a Gateau Scholarship donation, even if it is a small donation of $5. If you are not familiar with our scholarship fund, details about it, including the application for graduating High School Seniors, have been posted on the AYLA website at www.youthlax.org for several years.

My name is Norman Idelson and I am the current chairman of the Gateau Scholarship Fund committee. Many of you might remember me as a past parent, coach, and commissioner within the AYLA organization, or perhaps you might have recently seen me on the Fall Ball fields. AYLA created this scholarship fund after talking about the idea for years. We named the fund after Willie Gateau, one of our most admired and missed volunteers. Our Scholarship Fund committee has solicited applications and awarded a winner for the past three years. The past winners were Nicholas Bonnacci (2003), Joseph McKenna (2004), and Todd Turner (2005). In addition to donations provided by individuals like you, several organizations have provided support to the scholarship fund. As an original founder, John Lamon and the World Class Lacrosse Camps has been a staunch contributor to the fund. A few years ago, Heros Lacrosse initiated a multiyear donation making Heros our largest financial supporter. Finally, for the past two years, Heroes Pub has been extremely generous to sponsor an evening in the Spring for supporters to come out and participate in a silent auction, food, and drink…all in the spirit of Willie; and includes a contribution of some of the evening profits.

For those that did not know Willie Gateau, let me say that he was the kind of person that you would remember if you had met him. Willie always had plenty to say, and he did so in a very relaxed and pleasant way. My personal experiences with Willie were very casual, yet some of them left lasting impressions. I have two sons who were coached Lacrosse and Soccer by Willie. I remember one year, Willie called me at home, begging me to let one of them participate in a Soccer tournament. My son was the only one on his team who had not signed up for the tournament. Willie was trying to understand why I was not letting my son participate and actually offered to pay the $10 fee, thinking that we could not pay the fee. Please understand, my son was a hard working player, but he was no "athletic wonder". Willie was simply trying to help one of his player's out, even though he probably could afford the $10 fee much less then we could. I still declined to let my son play that year, because of his “study habits” (or lack thereof), however, the call that Willie had made left a mark on me that I will carry the rest of my life. For those that knew Willie, I would be surprised if you did not have similar experiences. Additional background about Willie is posted on the www.youthlax.org website.

Remember that all donations are added to the fund that is used to provide the $1000 scholarship award to a graduating High School Senior. Your donation also helps the Scholarship Fund reach its primary objective, which is to be capable of indefinitely funding the $1000 scholarship every year, without the need for additional donations. Your donation further helps to reach future objectives, such as increasing the amount of the scholarship and/or awarding more than one scholarship. We thank you, in advance, for any contributions that you make. All checks should be made out to the “AYLA Willie Gateau Scholarship Fund”, and mailed to the AYLA address listed above.

In accordance with the provisions of section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code we would like to inform you that any contribution to the AYLA Wille Gateau Scholarship Fund is fully tax deductible since no premiums, gifts or services are being received in return for your donation.