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Dry Sandwiches, REDUX. By CAPT Arne Nelson, USN (Ret.), LTM #4 / RW # 13762 President, NHA Scholarship Fund
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NHA Scholarship Fund
NHASF
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ecently, I was asked, “How is a charitable donation like a Navy in-flight box lunch?” Recalling my time in the Fleet, faded memories of quality and quantity of an in-flight box lunch range from a stale baloney sandwich served with a half-gallon can of tomato juice (CVN) to a hot, three-course meal complete with a fresh pie (CLF)…and though I never was able to score one personally, I noted that the Italian Air Force box lunch included a box of vino. Una scatola di vino?…che schifo! The question lingers. How is a charitable donation like a Navy in-flight box lunch? All hands agree: • Both the meal and the donation are a surprise – you never know what you are going to get. • There was always hope for a memorable meal or gift, depending upon the generosity of the contributor (either the ship’s cook or the NHA donor). • The outcome, whether a leadership gift or sustaining meal, was appreciated. ‘Nuf said. Back in 2020, my goal coming to the NHA Scholarship Fund was to set conditions for NHASF sustained growth. Together, the NHASF Committee wrote a vision statement and added a mission statement to guide a five-year plan: Vision: Provide a sound, growing fund base to incrementally increase the dollar value of the fifteen annual awards total to reach $75K ($5,000 each) in 5 years (2025) and for our members, be a premier scholarship choice in Naval Aviation in 5 years (2025). Mission Statement: To award college scholarships to eligible members of the naval helicopter community and their families (USN, USMC, and USCG) to pursue their educational goals. Quite simply, to increase the amount of each scholarship to $5,000 and then sustain that growth. Our report card going into 2024 selection board. See table (1) below.
(Table 1) NHASF Report Card
2024 Application Season. As I write this in mid-January 2024, we are about to close our 2024 application process with about 60 eligible applications received. Historically, this is about average, with the bulk of the applications arriving in January. We have ratcheted up our scholarship value to $4,500 for each of the 15 scholarship awardees. Check out the Scholarship Fund Website at https://www.nhascholarshipfund.org to see our donation options. As you reflect on donating, please consider giving to our general memorial fund or establishing a new memorial or legacy fund (ex., NHASF General Memorial Fund, HS-5 Night Dipper Memorial Fund, or H-53/Big Iron Fund) to preserve the legacy of our communities and remember the heroes that make up our proud rotary wing heritage. And finally, before the year draws to a close, I want to remind you of a smart way to give to NHASF. Those who are 72 ½ years of age or older can take advantage of a special approach to make a gift that has tax benefits. This popular gift option is called many things, from “IRA Rollover,” “Tax-Free Distribution,” or “QCD,” but know that it is a simple, tax-wise way to make a difference. Contact your IRA fund administrator (Vanguard, Fidelity, Ameriprise, etc.) for more information. A gift to the NHA Scholarship fund is tax deductible. The NHA Scholarship Fund is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit charitable California corporation: TAX ID # 33-0513766. Thank you for your support in the 2023-24 scholarship rounds. I look forward to seeing you at the next NHA National Symposium in May 2024 at Harrah’s Resort Southern California. Rotor Review #163 Winter '24
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