The George Bate Memorial Fund

for Student loans of Ridgefield Park, New Jersey

There are applications available for the 2005 George Bate Memorial Fund for Student Loans at the Ridgefield Park Jr/Sr High School Guidance Department or contact Maureen Gibbs, President, 201-232-8573 and she will get one to you. The deadline is fast approaching.

TRUSTEES    HISTORY

In the year of 2002, 5 loans of $1500 were given to students who are attending such schools as University of Tampa, Montclair State University, Union College, College of St. Elizabeth and Seton Hall University.

Dear Friends of Education:

Once a year, the Trustees of the George Bate Memorial Fund make an appeal to organizations and individuals to help us build the Student Loan monies that we distribute to Ridgefield Park seniors. The fund assists our young people in financing their education after high school.

This year, we are asking you to help us continue this endeavor.

If you are a new member of our community, you might not be aware of the fact that during the past 60 years, villagers have supported our students who wish to further their education. (The costs related to education are numerous. Through this program, our seniors have an opportunity to help themselves financially.) Every dollar is used for loans. We charge no interest, and we expect payment only when the graduates enter into gainful employment.

If you or your organization would like more information about our efforts, we would be happy to supply it or arrange for a George Bate Trustee to attend one of your meetings. Please don't hesitate to contact us for assistance.

Please make your check payable to George Bate Memorial Fund. You may mail your contribution to:

George Bate Memorial Fund
c/o Mrs. J. Durkin
189 Overpeck Avenue
Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,
The Trustees

The George Bate Memorial Fund for Student Loans was established in 1935, but what is it and who is he? George Bate was the Principal of Ridgefield Park High School for fourteen years. Mrs. Marion E. Brian, President of the High School’s PTA and first president of the Bate Fund along with a group of concerned Ridgefield Park citizens decided that a tribute in a lasting form is the best expression of that regret and respect one can pay after the death of someone. It was their goal to establish such a tribute to George Bate in September 1935. "It was one of Mr. Bate’s pet ideas and a project for which, has his health permitted Mr. Bate would have worked unceasingly, that this organization plans to put into tangible form as a lasting memorial," said Mrs. Brian at the first organizational meeting. It was the purpose of this group of citizens to establish a fund for financial aid to students from Ridgefield Park to further their education after high school. Mr. Bate had started much of the ground word for this fund along with other organizations but there was no formal such plan. It was the goal of the organization to see that every Ridgefield Park Boy or Girl had an equal chance to secure an education and to find a place in the world where his or her particular equipment would bring a return of well-being and happiness and an opportunity for service.

The Fund set its first year’s goal at $3000. It was the endeavor of the committee to make this a community project. The committee planned a Minstrel Show called "Hit It Up", where all of them performed. It was held at the Ridgefield Park High School for two nights. Monies were secured as donations from local businesses and organizations such as the PTA’s, Elks Club, Woman’s Clubs, and the Rotary Club. A town wide house to house membership drive was started. Citizens could join the Fund for $1.00. David Boswell, the town engineer and one of the originators for the Fund, approached the Village of Ridgefield Par for a donation. He urged the Villagers to make a donation as the town just spent $1000 for fireworks for the Fourth of July and that money was "blown up in smoke". He went on to say that he was not against fireworks but comparing the money spent. Mr. Boswell further went on to say that the "Bate fund offers an opportunity for everyone to participate no matter how small an amount in education."

The first Thanksgiving Game was played as a way to earn money for the Fund. Not withstanding there was controversy as the first Trustees attended a Board of Education Meeting to ask for this. It was decided by Fred Heckel, chairman if the athletic committee that the team, under the coaching of Carl Biggs had too many games to play. This report drew much criticism from members of the Bate Fund Committee. Ernest G. Alberque, Trustee, declared "You might as well throw this whole student program into the waste paper basket." He went on further to say that if the Board of Education is not behind the Fund the rest of the community will not support it. The first Thanksgiving Football game was played on November 29,1935 against Garfield. Ridgefield Park won the game and so did the Fund, $440.30 was accrued for the treasury. The Ridgefield Park Antlers 1506 Team planned several alumni basketball games for fundraising for January.

In December 1935 the George Bate Memorial Fund was formally incorporated.

Twenty-one trustees were elected to the Board. Mrs. Brian was elected the first president. At this time $1,804.95 was in the bank account. The formalization of the requirements for the loans was secured. It became necessary for a student to have certain requirements of scholastic and personal integrity. He or she does not have to be an honor student, only a serious student of good character and with a serious purpose. The loan is made in strict confidence. The knowledge of the loan is shared only with the Board of Trustees.

During the first few years of the George Bate Memorial Fund for Student Loan's existence, the depression years, loans were made to students to enable them to continue attending school. Some used their money for shoes, where others used the money for their family so that they would not have to leave school and get a job. No loans were given out during the World War years.

Since that time and to the present 585 loans have been given out to earnest and deserving students who wish to attend school after high school whether it is college, technical or vocational school. These loans are directly paid to the school of choice, they are interest free and do not have to be paid pack until one has gainful employment after graduation or leaving school. Once approved for the loan it does not have to be used for 19 months. In the year of 2002, 5 loans of $1500 were given to students who are attending such schools as University of Tampa, Montclair State University, Union College, College of St. Elizabeth and Seton Hall University. Applications are available in the Ridgefield Park Junior-Senior High School’s Guidance Department. They are due back in the Guidance Office by May 1^st. Interviews for the loans will take place in the middle of May. Students and their parents must attend the interview.

Former recipients include doctors, lawyers, ministers, dentists, engineers, airline personnel, scientists, nurses, teachers and many others. It is because of their fine repayment record the Fund is able to continue the cycle of financial assistance to each year’s new group of students. If you or your organization would like to donate to this endeavor checks can be made payable to the George Bate Memorial Fund, and sent to Mrs. Jane Durkin, 189 Overpeck Avenue, Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660. If any organization would like more information about our efforts, we would be happy to supply it, or have a George Bate Trustee attend one of your meeting s to speak. Please do not hesitate to contact us. By our donations the visions of a group of public-spirited citizens of the Village of Ridgefield Park in 1935 will continue in a manner so typical of Ridgefield Park. In 1941, it was noted that the Bate Fund is at present building an institution that if properly handled and managed would and could become one of the finest and greatest endowments institutions of the state. What a wonderful living memorial to a well-like Principal, Mr. George Bate!

Revised, January 2003