Day 113: Happy 60th Birthday to Maggie

Today is the surprise birthday celebration for my good friend Maggie, who I met during my Ritz days and have remained close with ever since.  Her dear husband, Paul, has organized the party, and in lieu of gifts, he has requested that guests consider making a donation to Cozart Eggleston Scholarship Fund that was established in honor of "Cozie", who lived with their family in Charlestown.  Sadly, Cozie was killed in a tragic car accident driving back to Boston after visiting Maggie and Paul at their home in Saratoga.  I remember his death well,  as the loss occured on the heels of Marie's death, and Maggie and I were a source of comfort to each other.

The scholarship in Cozie's name is administered by the Harvard-Kent Leadership and Scholarship Partnership, which is a very successful 501(c)3 that helps make the dream of college a reality for children at Charlestown’s Harvard-Kent Elementary School... a remarkable urban public school where most students live below the poverty level and over half speak a language other than English at home.
To date, the Partnership has awarded thirty-six $1,000 college-incentive scholarships to high achieving 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. The funds are held in escrow and earn income until the child enters college. Recipients and their families join a special Leadership/Scholarship Club that focuses on leadership and educational enrichment through monthly meetings, in-school activities, social gatherings, field trips throughout Massachusetts, and special visits to colleges. Students remain members of the Club until they graduate from high school. 

Since there are precious few better ways to spend money than to educate a child, we are happy to be able to make a donation to the Cozart Eggleston Scholarship Fund.