Fincastle Resolutions Chapter
Sons of the American Revolution
New Chapter Initiatives for 2015
Our Fincastle Resolutions Chapter is strengthening its community outreach programs. We now have an agreement to provide recent back copies of our magazines and books (hard cover or paper backs - especially those with western, science fiction and historical themes) to the Salem Veterans Administration Hospital. So please don’t trash your magazines. Bring books and current magazines (less than 6 months old) that you have read and have no further use for to any future Chapter meeting for collection, sorting and distribution. Or telephone Spurgeon Keith, at (540) 725-4321 to arrange for pick-up. Our hospitalized veterans will appreciate your thoughtfulness.
At our Board of Managers Meeting On March 10, 2015 we decided to start several projects that are not covered in our current budget, but for which we have available reserves to commit in anticipation of compatriot voluntary contributions to cover these program costs. This is why your dues notice indicated a place to add funds for discretionary expenses. For compatriots who may have submitted only the $90 dues, we ask that you consider contributing directly to one or more of the following projects that are being undertaken. Your contributions will be greatly appreciated, because we need the financial support to undertake these worthwhile projects.
The Board of Managers voted to establish a Fincastle Resolutions Chapter College Scholarship Fund. Larger awards were discussed, but initially we voted to make a $1,000 annual award, with consideration for $500 follow-on awards to one outstanding student annually. Criteria will be a combined evaluation of the candidates academic, extra curricular and leadership activities, entry in our SAR student contests (oration, essay, Eagle Scout, JROTC), and need. If you would like to join with other SAR Chapter members and donate to this fund, please send checks in any amount to our Treasurer, Fulton Galer, at Fincastle Resolutions, SAR; P.O. Box 8996; Roanoke, VA 24014. Checks should be payable to Fincastle Resolutions Chapter, SAR but designated for the “College Fund”.
It was also proposed and approved that our chapter would contribute $250 to a fund that will preserve and maintain the pension records of participants in the War of 1812. The reasoning for this action was that many of these participants in the War of 1812 were the children or relatives of Revolutionary War patriots, and to preserve these records would support eventual genealogy leading to Revolutionary War ancestors and potentially new SAR members. Again our chapter would like to raise money to cover this chapter contribution. So again we ask for voluntary contributions in any amount to be sent to our Treasurer, with checks earmarked “1812 Record Preservation”. If contributions exceed this $250 chapter outlay, we will divert the overage to other projects such as the following undertaking.
The gravesite of Patriot William Fleming and his wife is located on the Plantation golf course off Plantation Road in Roanoke and is adjoined by another grave site for several members of the Reed family. The Fleming site is surrounded by a low stone wall that needs capstone refurbishment and mortar repair. An ornamental iron fence that encloses the small Reed plot is in very bad condition and needs replacing. Our Chapter and the local DAR chapter are jointly responsible for the maintenance of these private burial sites. Initially a trust of $25,000 was established to maintain the site from investment revenue. However due to poor investment returns the fund is now at about $14,000, and the necessary repairs will cost approximately $5,000 (somewhat more than the revenue from the remaining $14,000 will produce!). Again the chapter officers are asking for generous contributions to cover most of these essential project costs, similar to the generous contributions that you have made to support the ongoing Preston Memorial project. Please send contributions to help cover these necessary grave site improvements to our Treasurer, earmarked “Fleming/Reed gravesite repairs”.
We think that you will agree that each of these special projects supports the historical, patriotic and educational goals of our chapter and the National Sons of the American Revolution. Please provide your financial support for these chapter activities.