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San Juan, Puerto Rico, May 12, 2020 Driven by his passion for public service, former Dorado Mayor Alfonso López Chaar (1972-1987) established in late 2019 in the Puerto Rico Community Foundation (FCPR) on Alfonso López Chaar and Erica Ivers de López Fund. The philanthropic initiative will benefit graduating seniors this year from the José S. Alegría High School, in Dorado, who wish to continue a professional career that allows them to practice in public service, for example, teaching, criminology, criminal justice, and nursing.
For López Chaar, this first call for scholarships has been a dream come true because he will be able to continue contributing to public service from another area by supporting the professional development of young people from his beloved town of Dorado. Likewise, he is excited to share the initiative with his wife Erica, a woman who served the country for 20 years as a math teacher. “We've been thinking for a long time about how to help the young people in our town; it was something Erica and I wanted to do because we know that more and better public servants are needed. We are interested in supporting those young people who choose careers that can strengthen the public system of our island,” shares López Chaar.
According to Mary Ann Gabino, Senior Vice President of FCPR, the philanthropic relationship with López Chaar began approximately two years ago with the idea of leaving a scholarship through a testamentary legacy to support the professional development of young people from Dorado. “After several meetings, emails, and phone calls, they realized that one doesn't have to wait until they are gone to help, but rather that their help could be channeled during their lifetime, and they could enjoy the satisfaction of guiding young people on their educational and professional life paths,” Gabino highlighted.
The first scholarship application period closes on May 22 and offers financial assistance of up to 1,250 pesos per student for the first year of college. To access the application, please click here link. The first scholarships are expected to be awarded in time for the start of the next academic year, and the initial contribution that launched the fund is expected to continue to grow in order to expand its reach.
The Puerto Rico Community Foundation offers philanthropic advisory services for individuals and families to channel their philanthropic concerns through the establishment of a fund. This fund can be established during their lifetime, allowing them to be active participants in the stories of people and non-profit organizations. The FCPR also advises on the process of testamentary legacies. For more information, you can call 787.721.1037. You can also visit www.fcpr.org.
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About the Puerto Rico Community Foundation A non-profit organization that has advised individuals, families, corporations, and foundations on and off the island on how to channel their philanthropic concerns. The advice seeks to ensure that donors' contributions have an impact on the self-development of Puerto Ricans. Additionally, the FCPR's strategic plan promotes equitable and sustainable access to clean water, renewable energy, housing, economic development, and education. The FCPR is the first foundation of its kind in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, and remains the only one in Puerto Rico today.