The original Cerniglia-Kiss Scholarship Fund has been renamed and re-appropriated as the Cerniglia-Kiss Sunshine Fund.

Beginning in 2003, the generosity of the Valley Forge Romance Writers will extend beyond the encouragement, knowledge and advice we regularly share to include helping with dues payments for members who might otherwise have to drop out of the chapter because of finances.

The Sunshine Fund was established this summer with the balance of the Scholarship Fund, some direct member donations, and continuing proceeds from the monthly 50/50 raffle. These funds can be used by a renewing member up to once every five years to pay VFRW or RWA dues with no questions asked. There will be a check-off spot on the renewal form in the January, February, and March newsletters or you can contact the Treasurer or President confidentially to utilize this member option, which is confidential and available as long as there are funds to do so.

In supporting this idea, the VFRW board hopes we can encourage our members to continue creative pursuits despite adversities in other areas of life. There will also be a box on the renewal form for contributions our members may be able to make to the Sunshine Fund. If you have the ability to help out, please do! Even a small contribution may mean the difference between a member being able to utilize the Fund or not.

Many thanks to the New Jersey Romance Writers for giving us this idea!