Event: Second Annual Elise Martin Crosby Scholarship Fund Fundraiser
Date: Friday, May 13, 2005
Location: St. Columba’s Episcopal Church (42nd St & Albermarle St., NW)

On the ninth anniversary of Elise Martin Crosby’s death, her life was again celebrated during the second annual Elise Martin Crosby Scholarship Fund Fundraiser. About 100 guests came from Maryland, Virginia, the District, New York, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Maine, Florida, Kansas and California in order to join together with Elise’s brothers, sisters, aunt and 91-year-old grandfather at St. Columba’s Episcopal Church in northwest Washington, DC for a night of food, mingling, and music.

Throughout the evening guests bid against one another in a silent auction that featured items such as sports memorabilia, original artwork, gift certificates to local restaurants, a dinner cruise, gift baskets and a trip to the Dominican Republic. All night long, local musical artists, including Mary Shaver, Dave Sherman, “Hurricane” Howie Feinstein and Henry “Sonny Boy” Chung donated their talents for the evening’s entertainment.

Following a buffet dinner prepared by one of Elise’s younger sisters, Joanna, an emotional short program highlighted Elise’s life and the history of the scholarship fund. In addition, the moving testimonials of the EMC Fund’s first five scholars were read in which their stories about overcoming extreme personal adversity were told. The Board of Directors recognized representatives from five of the seven referring agencies in attendance and also announced that there are three more applicants awaiting scholarship funding from the EMC Fund.

The EMC Fund Board of Directors would like to thank everyone who came out on Friday, May 13th who, for the second year in a row helped us to exceed our fundraising goal. With the generosity of such donors, the EMC Fund has been able to award over $10,000 in scholarships to survivors of domestic violence who are seeking increased financial independence through education. We are already looking forward to next May for our third annual fundraiser and celebration!