August 2, 2007

Ms. Donnelly,

I wanted to express my sincere appreciation for your kindness in aiding us with funding to offset funeral costs for [a family who tragically lost their son, a CBP officer.]

As a Supervisory CBP Officer and former Customs Inspector, I had heard about the Roger L. Von Amelunxen Foundation through other Customs Inspectors and through the Combined Federal Campaign from the start of my career in 1998, but never believed I would need the assistance of a benevolent or memorial fund. I couldn’t have been more wrong and your generosity towards this family that you know little about is heartwarming. There isn’t much of a death benefit or insurance. What little there was will no doubt be tied up in probate since his beneficiaries are minor children and he did not have a will.

When I spoke with [the employee’s] mother to ascertain what the family needed, they indicated that his stepfather was attempting to borrow small sums of monies from different co-workers in order to fund the services. Your gift covered the costs of the funeral services and the cremation. I never expected such a significant response from a single source. It had a tremendous impact on the family.

When I advised the family of your gift, I took the time to explain to them a little about the Foundation which I took from your website. Now, in retrospect, the quote on your website rings louder in my ears:

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world:
 indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” --  Margaret Mead