CLEVELAND, June 6 — The BLET’s Illinois State Legislative Board is currently accepting applications for its newly established Don Little Memorial Scholarship Fund.
One $1,000 and two $500 scholarships will be awarded to applicants whose parent or guardian is a BLET member in good standing with a BLET Local Division represented by the Illinois State Legislative Board.
Brother Don Little was a locomotive engineer with Metra commuter rail in Chicago and a proud member of BLET Division 294 (Bensenville, Ill.) for 35 years. Brother Little served for more than 10 years on the Executive Committee of the Illinois State Legislative Board and always had a dream of establishing a scholarship program for the family members of fellow Brothers and Sisters who worked in Illinois. Unfortunately, Brother Little passed away before his dream was realized.
In a joint letter announcing the new scholarship opportunity, Paul Piekarski (Chairman) and Timothy Dunn (Secretary-Treasurer) of the Illinois State Legislative Board wrote:
“It is with great pleasure that we can announce that the Illinois State Legislative Board has established the first annual Don Little Memorial Scholarship Fund. Few people were more devoted to family, friends and public service than Don. Don’s legacy is one of a great union Brother, husband, father, friend and colleague. This scholarship not only honors his name but also represents what he had in his heart: an unsurpassed passion to help people who are trying to get ahead in life yet may not have the resources to accomplish their dream.”
Scholarship applications and all accompanying documents must be received by July 31, 2013. Applicants must be 26 years of age or younger. Applicants may be current high school students who have applied for admission as full-time students in accredited post-secondary schools or may be attending or enrolled as full-time students in accredited post-secondary schools. A copy of the application form (PDF) can be downloaded here from the BLET National Division website.
For questions or assistance in completing the application, contact Brother Dunn at (618) 755-4929 or dunnsrun1@yahoo.com.