Please donate today to help our young athletes!
What it is: The PVFA Travel Fund is a bank account used to hold money that PVFA fencers and coaches can apply to use toward their travel expenses to national level fencing competitions such as the Junior Olympic National Championships, North America Cups, and the Summer National Championships.
Why donate?: These kids work hard and it is good to see their hard work pay off by qualifying to large national competitions. Travel expenses are often very high, including airfare for them and a parent and the hotel fees. I'd like to see as many of my students be able to attend these large competitions as possible because they offer many rewards, such as opportunities to improve their ranking in the fencing community, as well as the chance to be observed by college coaches from around the country. Individuals and businesses that donate will have their names listed on the website as appreciated donors and will also receive, if they wish, for a donation of $200 or more, a gift certificate good for our Intro or Historical fencing classes.
Past Recipients:
Kevin March, the 2010 Junior Olympic National Championships in Memphis Tenn.
Abby Delamater, 2010 North American Cup - E in Dallas Texas.
Our current short term goal for the PVFA Travel Fund: After two grants given, the travel fund needs to be replenished. Please donate so that future grants can be awarded.
Our donors: The Singh Family, Paul Sise, The Messbauer Family, The Parentela Family, The Friedman Family, Anne-Laure Treny, The Delamater Family, The Johnson Family, The Ibrahim Family, RJ Ferullo, Kelly Fitzroy and Maria O'brien, The Grabazs/Martoccia Family, The Sienkiewicz Family, Fred Thompson, Nancy Sise, The Hennessey/Page Family, The Doleman/Quinn Family, Martin Wohl
Please donate by making a check payable to "PVFA Travel Fund" and mailing it to the club at: PVFA, 31 Union St, Easthampton, MA 01027
or click the button below to use a credit card:
Please include your return address if you wish to receive a gift certificate for your donation of $200 or more, or send that information in an email if you are donating with Paypal. Donors will be listed on the website unless they request to remain anonymous.
Please note that for tax purposes, donations to this fund do not qualify as a charity donation to a non-profit organization. Donations are not tax deductible.
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Application process: Candidates for a travel grant must apply in writing and give details about the competition he or she expects to attend as well as an estimate for travel expenses. The application must be delivered to Coach Sise at least 30 days prior to the start of the competition. A coach accompanying PVFA fencers to national competitions may apply for a travel grant if the fencer or fencers he or she is accompanying cannot pay for his or her travel expenses. Fencers may apply for a travel grant once per calendar year. Fencers must be members of PVFA for at least one year prior to applying. I ask that those receiving a travel grant help refill the account by soliciting donations from individuals and businesses.
Size of travel grants: The amount awarded per request is dependant upon several factors, including availabilities of funds, estimated expenses of the fencer, and the desire to allow for multiple students and or coaches to withdraw from the fund each year. Fencers should not expect that their trips will be fully funded by a travel grant. My goal is to be able to provide three or four grants in the $250 to $500 range each year.
Payment of funds: Payment of funds will be made as a reimbursement after completion of the competition.