|
PROJECT DETAILS April 2008Dear Friend, The Great Escape Memorial Project would like to update you of our progress and current plans. Due to our work over the past several years and your gracious support, we have been successful at increasing awareness and interest in the history of the Great Escape as well as approximately $40,000 in funding. Unfortunately, we have not received enough funding to build the original vision of The Great Escape Memorial Project in Poland; two buildings marking the entrance and exit of the tunnel. Our board has therefore recently met to determine how to best move forward with the donations we have raised in the name of The Great Escape Memorial Project. We felt that it was important to have a memorial in place as soon as possible in order for those few remaining PoW’s today to witness its unveiling. After much research and consideration, we are excited to share that we have agreed to allocate the fund raised to two worthy projects designed to keep the memory of the Great Escape and all those who were housed at Stalag Luft III alive in both Poland and Canada. We have recently partnered with Project 104 based out of the UK to support their plans to build a replica of hut 104 to mark the location of the entrance of the tunnel ‘Harry’ used during the night of March 24th 1944’s Great Escape. The RAF is directing this project and with our financial support, will almost have reached their required fundraising goal. After our donation, a mere $6000 will be required to complete their efforts. The mandate of the Great Escape Memorial Project has always been to honor the memory of the 50 prisoners of war who were executed at Stalag Luft III and pay respect and honor all survivors of the Second World War PoW camps. We feel that Project 104 shares a similar purpose and by collaborating our efforts, we will help see this memorial come to fruition. In exchange for The Great Escape Memorial Project donation to Project 104, their project has agreed to the following terms: 100% of the donation to be allocated towards construction of Hut 104 and permanent recognition of The Great Escape Memorial Project and its donors at the site of Project 104 in Sagan Poland. The anticipated timeline for completion of Project 104’s hut reconstruction is late summer 2008 with opening ceremonies soon after. Please consult the website for further information www.thegreatescapememorialproject.com or project104.com. if you’d like to follow the progress of this exciting project. Secondly, in an effort to honor the POWs of WWII and in particular those involved in the Great Escape we have decided to donate a portion of the funds raised from the Great Escape Gala held in Calgary in January 2005 to the new Air Force wing of the Military Museums in Calgary to develop a permanent display of The Great Escape. The anticipated opening of this wing of the museum is forecast for fall 2008 or the spring of 2009. Should you wish to make one final donation towards either of these worthy projects, we would be pleased to provide you with a charitable receipt and recognition on our website as a valued donor. The deadline for receiving donations towards these projects is May 30th, 2008. Please make your donations payable to The Great Escape Memorial Project c/o Mrs. Roxana Anderson, 251 Silver Mead Crescent NW, Calgary, AB, Canada, T3B 3W4. Any current donations are eligible for a Canadian income tax receipt. If you wish to make a donation on a credit card, please contact Shannyn Scarff de Kruyff at (403) 245-6693 or by email at media.works@telusplanet.net . A donation form is available here. Thank you for your continued support. Dr. Carrie Tobolski Scarff Chair The Great Escape Memorial Project |