THE MAJOR DAN ANDERSON FREEDOM FUND

 Why a Fund?

Membership is the lifeblood of our organization.  The funding of ROA Departments and Chapters by ROA National has historically been based on membership numbers. The ROA National organization reimburses funds back to the Department organizations based on member headcount.

After much internal discussion Major Dan Anderson, USAFR, a member of the 934^th Air Lift Wing and Department President, 2000-2001, led the effort driven by the concept that if greater professional development opportunities were to be provided locally the Department and Chapters of Minnesota would not only benefit from better trained officers but both organizations would also benefit in increased membership.

This type of fundraising has been popular in ROA nationwide. Nearly all Departments have established some sort of endowment, foundation or fund that is invested so that the dividends are used for program development while protecting the principal. 

The Freedom Fund was started by the Department of Minnesota as an endowment fund in the year 2000 during Major Anderson’s term as President.

Major Anderson passed away in November 2001 after a battle with cancer.  After his passing the Department has renamed the Freedom Fund in his honor. 

The Freedom Fund Charter and By-Laws have formally existed since April 2002. Since that time the fund has grown by the generous contributions of members. Disbursements from the fund in significant amounts began in November 2005 when three Merit Awards of $500.00 each were presented to deserving ROTC students from the various programs in the State. In February 2006 the first full scholarship, to cover expenses up to $1500.00, was given to an ROA Minnesota member. 2nd Lt Vickie Erdmann, USAFR, attended the Reserve Components Joint Officer Professional Development Seminar at the ROA Mid-Winter Conference, Washington, D. C. A scholarship, for the same amount, to attend the 2006 Reserve Components Joint Officer Leadership Development Seminar at the ROA Conventioon, San Antonio, Texas, was awarded to the second ROA Minnesota member to benefit from the fund's proceeds.

 

Donations can be made using the web site using a secure method. Donations can also be made using the Donation Form. Mail donations to:

MAJOR DAN ANDERSON FREEDOM FUND, Department of Minnesota, ROA, PO Box 11769, St Paul, MN 55111-0769. 

 

Rev. 02-2006