As many of you are aware, we are approaching the sad anniversary of the loss of our friends Martyn Pearson and Alex Olsen. For so many of you, they are in your thoughts daily, and even hourly.

Just recently, the Patrina Foundation, which is focused on improving the lives of girls through programs like dance, art therapy, music programs, and housing support, offered a match for the Alex Olsen & Martyn Pearson Memorial fund. Most of that match has been met, and there is just another $11,000 needed to fulfill the match goal by mid-November. Alex sat on the Board of Directors of the Patrina Foundation.

The Alex & Martyn Memorial Fund has received over 60 individual contributions from friends and family of Alex and Martyn, and even friends of friends. We are grateful to all of you for your contributions in memory of these two, who made such an impact during their short time in Silver City, and in the world.

The Fund is now within striking distance of $100,000—an important milestone that would allow the Fund to become endowed. This means that the corpus of the Fund would exist forever, and the investment income that it generates will be granted out annually in perpetuity. Once endowed, a group of community members will come together to write up grant guidelines, and the Community Foundation will take care of granting out the funds each and every year. This will serve as a wonderful example of sustainable investing in our community, as well as a funding source for local nonprofits.

As an endowed fund, it will still be able to grow with additional donations, and while the initial grants will be small, they too will grow. Can you imagine the impact of this Fund growing from a $4,000 grant each year to $6,000, $10,000 and even more? We know that Alex and Martyn would be proud to be part of such an effort, and that their spirits will be singing to know that the good work they did during their lives will continue to be supported.

Please consider how you can help the Fund receive the additional $11,000 needed to reach $100,000 and avail of the match funds offered by the Patrina Foundation.

As always, you can mail a check to:
Grant County Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1767, Silver City, NM 88062,

Or you can give online through this link:
https://www.grantcountycommunityfoundation.org/existing-funds-2-1

Please indicate on your check or online donation your intent to fund
the Alex & Martyn Memorial Fund.