MORRISTOWN – High school seniors whose parents are public safety personnel in Morris County are eligible for a $4,000 scholarship from the 200 Club of Morris County, an organization of concerned citizens who support police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians and paramedics.
The scholarship is open to children with a parent actively serving with a Morris County police department, fire department, ambulance squad, the New Jersey State Police or as a paramedic with a Morris County-based hospital. Students whose parent has retired from one of those agencies or students whose parents are actively serving with a federal or state law enforcement agency also are eligible, as are students who, themselves, volunteer as firefighters or EMTs. Children may be planning to attend college or post-high school vocational school.
The 200 Club began sponsoring the scholarships in 1982. Since then, hundreds of students have received the awards. Awards are given on a one-time basis for the 2013-2014 academic year.
“This is one of the truly pleasurable programs we offer,” said Jack C. Van Orden, president of the 200 Club of Morris County. “The parents of these children put their lives on the line to protect us. Not only are these scholarships one way we help them, but we know that a safe and secure society counts on well-educated leaders.”
Application forms are available at http://www.200clubofmorriscounty.com/scholarship.html or by calling (732) 279-4258. Applications must be received by March 1, 2013. Award criteria include academic performance, community service, extracurricular activities and financial need. Winners are announced in April and the scholarships are awarded at the 200 Club of Morris County Annual Awards Dinner in May.
Since its inception in 1971, the 200 Club of Morris County has distributed more than $2.5 million to families who have lost a spouse who was a police officer or state trooper, a firefighter, or an emergency medical services provider in the line of duty. The organization also distributes thousands of dollars each year to worthy high school seniors who either serve in a branch of public safety or whose parent is actively serving in or retired from a public safety capacity in Morris County. The organization also recognizes the heroic actions of those who keep the public safe and secure.
Information about membership in the 200 Club and its various programs is available by calling (732) 279-4258 or by clicking on http://200clubofmorriscounty.com.
