The latest history of the Home, “A Home of Their Own” sponsored by the Rooney Fund, will be available for purchase at reunion. The cost at reunion is $25.00 with the Rooney Fund paying the sales tax. All sales at reunion are cash only. The book can be ordered by mail from the Rooney Fund for $32.00, which includes taxes and shipping costs. Checks are acceptable for mail orders. All proceeds go to the Rooney Fund. To order by mail send your request to: The Rooney Fund, P.O. Box A, Xenia, Ohio 45385.
The Rooney Fund like all charitable institutions over the last several months has experienced a loss in value of assets of the fund and a loss in income to the fund. Because we want the Fund to continue to provide assistance to Ex-Pupils and the immediate family, we found it necessary to reduce the maximum annual award effective immediately.
Since The Rooney Fund was established in 1972, the Trustees have attempted to be as helpful to Ex-Pupils as possible. In the beginning the awards were for graduating seniors. When the Home closed, it gave limited funds to Ex-Pupils and finally included spouses and children. All this was possible because of fund raising by Ex-Pupils and generous gifts from corporations. Finally as the Home closed, a substantial addition was made to the Fund by adding funds held by the Home for students’ benefits.
In the almost 40 years the fund existed, more than $1,000,000.00 has been awarded to Ex-Pupils and their immediate family to take educational courses. In the last five years alone, that total is $312,986.45.
Also, during the history of the fund two other educational projects have been supported. Again, in the last five years, the Trustees of the Fund have used money to pay for a museum parking lot and sidewalks; remodeling of the basement to provide office space and a bath room; and landscaping of the grounds near the museum and its maintenance. This totals over $98,000.00. The Rooney Fund rents space from the Association of Ex-Pupils at an annual rate of $4800.00. The other remodeled space is use for the Association of Ex-Pupils’ Office and Board Room.
A second educational project taken on by the Rooney Fund is the writing of the book telling the story of the Home. The book will cover the entire history of the 125 years the OSSO/OVCH taught and raised children. The book will be for sale in July of this year. The cost of paying someone to interview students and former faculty, the author and the publisher, will total $63,000.00. Sales of the book will offset much of the cost and hopefully sales will be substantial.
In short, the Rooney Fund has been an overwhelming success and something Ex-Pupils can be proud.
However, the economic times and the falling stock market have forced us to finally make changes in the Maximum Amount Awards can be made to the Ex-Pupil and their family. When the Fund recovers awards will be increased.
Effective February 13, 2010 awards will be $2000.00 for Ex-Pupils and $500.00 for children of Ex-Pupils to cover tuition and books only. Awards for spouses will be discontinued. Hopefully, further cuts will not be necessary and will find ways to increase our endowment and return to the awards you know now.
ROONEY FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBERS INCLUDE:
PRESIDENT William Chavanne 1955
VICE PRESIDENT Patti Marshall Hanson 1962 TREASURER Joysan Barker Edwards 1967 SECRETARY Laura Rebitzke Perdue 1981
Members:
Lester Anderson 1956 Paul Boykin 1953 Libby Melton-Jackson 1964 Warren L. Smart 1963
Last Updated ( Friday, 25 June 2010 )
Mambo is Free Software released under the GNU/GPL License.
Rooney Fund
