National Automobile Dealers Charitable Foundation Contributes Over $1 Million to Scholarship America(SM) to Aid Terrorism Victims

MCLEAN, Va., Feb. 26 -- The National Automobile Dealers Charitable Foundation (NADCF), through its Survivors Relief Fund, presented the charity organization Scholarship America, formerly Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of America, with a contribution of more than $1 million to aid families directly affected by the September 11 attacks. It marks the largest single donation ever given by NADCF.

In a ceremony held at the annual convention of the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) in San Francisco, NADCF Chairman Robert P. Mallon presented Scholarship America's vice president of Scholarship Management Services, Marilyn Rundell, with a check for $1,030,000.

The NADCF contribution will be distributed to two funds. The Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to spouses and children of persons killed or permanently disabled during the attacks. The Families of Freedom 2: Building Futures Through Education Fund provides scholarships for families who suffered loss of income as a direct result of the destruction or impairment of business in Lower Manhattan.

"We are pleased to play even a small part in helping the victims of the September 11 tragedies get back on their feet," said Mallon. "Franchised new car and truck dealers nationwide have shown their compassion and commitment to America by making this record contribution possible."

Rundell added, "This generous contribution sends an important message to the victims of the September 11 attacks that people care about their futures."

NADA created the Survivors Relief Fund, under the auspices of NADCF, shortly after the 9-11 attacks to assist the families of victims.

The Fund has already contributed approximately $700,000 to the families in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. The $1,000,000+ check to Scholarship America completes distribution of all contributions received.

NADA represents more than 19,700 new car and truck dealers, with over 43,000 separate franchises, both domestic and import.

Scholarship America is the nation's largest private sector scholarship and educational support organization. It carries out its mission of expanding access to educational opportunities and encouraging academic achievement through its Dollars for Scholars, Scholarship Management Services(TM), and ScholarShop(R) programs. Headquartered in Minneapolis and St. Peter, MN, Scholarship America has distributed more than $911.5 million to nearly 850,000 students through its scholarship and other support programs since its founding in 1958.

NOTE TO EDITORS: For an e-mailed photo of the check presentation, please call Jeff Beddow, 703-821-7121, or Rahnesha White, 703-760-7562.