Tommy Dowd Memorial Foundation will host Family Fun Festival on June 4

Mountainville - The Tommy Dowd Memorial Foundation, working with the Miller/Coors Manhattan Beer Distributors, will host the first annual Family Fun Festival on Saturday, June 4, at the Black Rock Fish & Game Club on Route 32 in Mountainville. The festival is one three fund raisers the foundation will hold this year in its efforts to raise funds for its scholarship program and a variety of other civic contributions. The foundation was created nine years ago in the memory of Monroe resident Tommy Dowd, a 37-year-old bond broker for Cantor Fitzgerald who died Sept. 11, 2001, in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. His friends “vowed to continue his legacy of kindness, in memory of how he lived and what he meant to us all.” Since then, the non-profit group has awarded $30,000 in scholarships to Monroe-Woodbury High School graduates. The foundation also has lent a hand to local causes as well such as Sgt. Eddie Ryan, the Paula Catalina Foundation, the Salvation Army, the Brian Aherne Children’s Fund and the Pink Socs Foundation. The Family Fun Festival will run from 2 to 8 p.m. at Black Rock. Tickets are $25 per person, or $50 per family. That covers barbeque-style food, beverages and games for all ages. Music will be provided by the groups Hudson Blue, Jaded Monks and Iron Cobra. Special guest appearances also are expected by the Woodbury Fire Department and The Orange County Sheriff’s Department. For additional information, visit the foundation’s Web site at www.tommydowdmemorialfoundation.com. Tommy Dowd Memorial Foundation Address: 17 Berwynn Road, Harriman, NY 10926 Web site: www.tommydowdmemorialfoundation.com E-mail: oc7757@optonline.net Background: As a loving husband, adoring father, devoted son, cherished brother and good friend, Tommy Dowd was beloved by those who knew him. When his life was tragically torn away on 9/11, leaving his family, friends and community in deep grief, they vowed to continue his legacy of kindness, in memory of how he lived and what he meant to us all. Foundation: Originally established as a scholarship fund for deserving college-bound student athletes in the Monroe-Woodbury area, the Foundation is growing to meet other needs that embody Tommy Dowd’s spirit and dedication to living life to the fullest. To realize those goals, the Board is developing new, year round fund-raising activities. The Foundation is a Non-Profit 501 (c) (3) Organization. Administration: The Board of Directors determines deserving male and female scholarship recipients based on information received from the applicants. The board also seeks ways to address other local causes and issues, including the assistance of military families in need. To date, $30,000 in scholarships has been awarded to Monroe-Woodbury High School students and additional sums have been donated to other worthy causes such as Sgt. Eddie Ryan, The Paula Catalina Foundation, The Salvation Army, The Brian Aherne Children’s Fund and the Pink Socs Foundation. The board of directors are Greg O’Connor, president; Kevin Gray, vice president; John Murray, secretary and special events coordinator; Mike Chirichella, treasurer; Anthony Amoroso, sergeant-at-arms; and John Finnegan, board member Contributors: With donations to the Tommy Dowd Memorial Foundation, you are helping young men and women of the community realize their college dreams and help us give back to the other worthy causes. In addition, it is an opportunity for you to get additional exposure to your business through coverage on the Internet and in the local newspapers. All checks should be made payable to the Tommy Dowd Memorial Foundation. Credit cards are accepted. Fund raising: This year, The Tommy Dowd Memorial Foundation will hold three fund-raising events: On June 4, we will hold the first annual Family Fun Festival at the Black Rock Fish & Game Club in Mountainville. This day will include entertainment for the entire family including food, refreshments, games, competitions, special attractions and some of the best Bands from the local area. From July 21 through July 24, the 10th Annual Softball Tournament will be held at Smith Clove Park and the Monroe-Woodbury High School. We will have Tommy Dowd apparel, concessions and some guest appearances with a party to be held afterwards. And in the fall, there will be the second annual West Point bus trip to see Army football. Sponsorships: For donations of $250 or more, your business will be listed on the back of all the shirts we sell at all events along with a listing on the Tournament banners. In addition, our Web site, flyer and local paper will have your business acknowledged. We can also tailor individual packages to businesses that are interested in being a title sponsor for any of the events.