Griffin Speaks
THE GREG AND DEBRA FOUNDATION
My
wife and I are waiting to receive approval from the Internal Revenue Service
for our family foundation. Those close to me know how charitable I am. I
will literally give the shirt off my back to help someone. My desire to
establish a foundation was inspired by Bill and Melinda Gates. It dawned on
me that you don’t have to be super rich to have a foundation. All that is
needed is a desire to help and the courage to pursue your goal. It didn’t
hurt that I had a personal friend who sets up foundations for the wealthy.
It will be a few more months before the Internal Revenue Service give us
their stamp of approval. The paperwork is in and the meter is running.
Once The Greg and Debra Griffin Foundation is approved our ultimate goal is
to award scholarships based on academic potential; financial need; community
involvement and commitment. Each candidate shall excel in academic
achievement and potential, extracurricular activities and individual
character.
In addition to the academic scholarship awards
the Greg and Debra Griffin Foundation will also provide assistance to families and individuals in financial need with a special emphasis on individuals connected to the Civil Rights Movement. We owe so much to those individuals and ingratitude is the gravest sin. This particular desire was inspired by my personal knowledge of so many former civil rights heroes who are in financial need. We celebrate them, but many of them are as broke as convicts. We can do better. We must do better. Many of us have benefited from the courageous acts of local civil rights workers who assisted Martin Luther King Jr. and Mrs. Rosa Parks in the struggle. Those local civil rights workers have basically been overlooked. Many of them struggle to make ends meet and live in shacks. The goal of the Greg and Debra Griffin Foundation is to identify those persons and extend to them a helping hand. Once we are approved we will publicize how and when you can apply for a scholarship or other financial assistance.Greg Griffin is a
freelance writer. You can read his previous articles by visiting his webpage
at www.greggriffin.com
In the words of my dad, “You must honor the chair whether it is sitting, walking or lying down.”
Greg Griffin is a free lance writer. You can read his previous articles by visiting his web page at www.greggriffin.com or write to him at P.O. Box 250194 Montgomery, Alabama 36125-0194.