MARINE CORPS SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION
By Rene & Bob Tilley
Sixteen years ago Rene and Bob Tilley settled into retired life after nearly 30 years of service with the United States Marine Corps. Rene was President of the Rancho Bernardo Kiwanis Club, and Bob, a retired Colonel of Marines, dabbled in various community service projects while learning the skills of avocado farming.
Then one fateful evening they received a call from an old friend. The friend, a veteran of World War II, had served in combat during the bloody battle of Iwo Jima. He was searching for a new chairman to head up the San Diego Chapter of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation.
“Once a Marine, Always a Marine” and “Marines Take Care of Their Own” are two of the many slogans we all hear about Marines. To the uninitiated they are nothing more than trite sayings; to Marines they are a Holy Grail! Bob, still very much a Marine, tentatively agreed but wanted to vet the charity aspects of the foundation. What he found then was and is the case today. The Foundation is unique among all branches of our armed forces as it provides scholarships to the children of ALL Marines and their Navy Corpsmen who are on active duty, reservists, retired, or former members with an honorable discharge. Additionally, it is rated as one of the top charities for cost effectiveness in the nation.
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| Bob and Rene Tilley receive the San Diego Channel 10 Leadership Award for their efforts in supporting the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, San Diego. This year the foundation has awarded 1,405 children of Marines and Navy Corpsmen with $4.5 million dollars in scholarships. |
When the Tilleys initially joined the foundation, they found the San Diego chapter relatively small in its contributions to the national efforts. Their first year resulted in an increase in the greater San Diego, Riverside and Orange counties’ contributions from $6,000 to $11,000. A major turning point was achieved when Roland and Marilyn Behny joined the team and marketing efforts were polished and expanded. At this point the San Diego Chapter achieved about $100,000 in donations. By partnering with DJOrthopedics, (DJOGlobal) in Vista, California, other corporate sponsors, and the entry of the Bear Creek community, our foundation is now approaching one quarter of a million dollars for 2009!
In addition to providing $4.5 million in scholarships annually to the children of our Marines and Navy Corpsmen, the Heroes Tribute Scholarship has been established. This award provides up to $30,000 in scholarship assistance to all children of Marines and their Corpsmen who are killed while serving in this War on Terror. Unfortunately, over 400 youngsters qualify for these benefits. Navy Corpsmen the Heroes Tribute Scholarship has been established. This award provides up to $30,000 in scholarship assistance to all children of Marines and their Corpsmen who are killed while serving in this War on Terror. Unfortunately over 400 youngsters qualify for these benefits. Of note, this past year the foundation presented 73 students from Riverside, Orange and San Diego counties with $167,000 for their 2010-2011 academic year!
Funds for the foundation are raised through proceeds from an annual golf tournament and direct donations. The 2010 golf tournament, “Honor the Warrior,” will be held September 13th at the Marine Memorial Golf Course, Camp Pendleton. For information contact Col. Tom Reath, Chairman, 760-533-3502. Donations are most welcome and can be remitted by check made payable to “Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation San Diego” (MCSF-SD) and mailed to Col. Tom Reath, 443 Morro Hills Road., Fallbrook, CA 92028. All donations are tax deductible as the foundation is a 501(C)(3).
The Tilleys, who recently received the Television Channel 10 Leadership Award, offer special thanks to those wonderful patriots of Bear Creek who have supported and contributed so much to those that ask for so little while defending our country 24/365 ― our 911 force ― the United States Marine Corps.