August 1, 2010

Dear Friends of the Mary Lynn Higgins Youth Fund,

Another year has gone by and we are very pleased to advise you that your generous donations awarded 91 travel scholarships in the 2010 student travel season!

Special thanks to our Founding Sponsor, TUI Student Travel for their donation of $10,000 for the 4^th year in a row! Also, thanks to our Affiliate Sponsors; Ontario Motor Coach Association for their second donation of $4,000 and WestJet Airlines for their first sponsorship of $4,600.

We are very grateful to our private donors - our Benefactors, Friends and Honorary sponsors. In total, they raised over $6,000!

The 2011 travel season marks the 5th Anniversary of the Mary Lynn Higgins Youth Fund. Our fund-raising kick-off to the year will be our annual Pub Night which is on Thursday, February 24 at Steam Whistle Brewery. Tickets will be $50 in advance, $60 at the door. We are planning a few surprises for this evening so mark your calendar now!

Our 91 recipients are enjoying their summer holidays with the fondest of memories and experiences. Here are thank you notes from three students:

The travel scholarship I received was put to good use when I was allowed to go to Ottawa. I learned many things about Canadian history, how the government works, how our country is different from others. Not only did I learn but I had fun too... like when we went to laser tag or on the ghost walk. Just spending time with my friends made me feel good and none of this would have been possible if I hadn’t received the grant and I’d like to thank the people that gave it to me. It gives me great pleasure to know I get to thank you for this remarkable trip. I will never forget my grade 8 trip to Ottawa!

I had an amazing time on my grad trip. I am extremely grateful for the money and thanks to these fantastic memories will stay with me forever!

I would like to thank you for the generous donation you have given me, because of that donation I had the chance to travel with my class and teachers to Quebec City on a school trip. I cannot express how thankful I am with these words but I would like you to know that I am grateful from the bottom of my heart. We as a class got to try different French cuisines and lived in different French places, an experience that I will never forget and cherish with other in the future. And as for my parents, you lifted a great burden from them and brought me closer to my friends and teachers, whom I will never forget after the trip. Once again, I would like to thank you for giving me a chance of a lifetime.

The need is still great and there are many ways you can help by donating or volunteering. Please email us at inquiry@marylynnhigginsyouthfund.com if you are able to help us make a difference.

We look forward to seeing you at the Pub Night in February!

Sincerely,

Karla Wilson

Chair