Rewards for Justice

SOUTH CAROLINA SCHOOL HONORED BY STATE FOR BUYING NEW FIRE TRUCK FOR NEW YORK FIRE DEPARTMENT
School raised $500,000 to replace truck lost in 9/11 attacks
School's Principal Awarded SC's First "United We Stand" License Plate
For Immediate Release: September 23, 2002 Contact: Art Shulman Phone: (203)354-5130
Dr. Nancy Turner, principal of the South Carolina middle school that raised $500,000 for a new New York City fire truck, was honored by South Carolina officials who today awarded her the state's very first "United We Stand" specialty license plate.
Students at Turner's school, White Knoll Middle School in West Columbia, SC -- population 10,600 -- raised over $540,000 in less than two months last year, to buy a new fire truck for Brooklyn, New York's Ladder Company 101. The new truck, purchased earlier this year, replaces a fire truck that Company 101 lost while battling fire and falling debris during last year's tragic attack on the World Trade Center.
The students forged a relationship with Company 101 shortly after last year's attacks when they became "pen pals" with the firefighters there. The students decided to raise money for a new truck for their pen pals after learning that during the Civil War, New York City firefighters shipped a large hose carriage to firefighters in Columbia, SC who had lost some of their equipment in a fire. Over one hundred years ago, officials in South Carolina had vowed to return the favor in a time of need. White Knoll Middle School's students decided that the attack on the World Trade Center made this the perfect time for South Carolinians to live up to their pledge.
In recognition of Turner's role as the spearhead of the school's drive to buy a new truck for Company 101, she was chosen by South Carolina officials to be the first recipient of that state's terrorism-fighting "United We Stand" license plate. Proceeds from the sale of "United We Stand" license plates in six states -- including New Jersey, Virginia, Florida, Massachusetts and Connecticut -- help thwart future terrorist attacks as a portion of the dollars individual citizens pay for the patriotic plates are provided to one of America's most effective anti-terrorism weapons, the Rewards for Justice Program. The Rewards for Justice Program, which was created by Congress in 1984, uses reward dollars to entice individuals who have knowledge of terrorist plans and hiding places to come forward.
"When your heart is in the right place anything is possible,'' Turner said. "One thing the children learned is you just have to try hard. If your cause is just, you can do things that make a significant change. You should never give up on a good idea."
Rewards for Justice Fund co-founder Scott Case praised Principal Turner for her leadership and patriotism. "We learned from Principal Turner and her students that we can do remarkable things when we stand united,'' said Case, who earlier in his career helped co-found priceline.com. "They showed us that children at a single middle school hundreds of miles from Ground Zero can make a big difference in the well-being of other Americans hundreds of miles away. As thousands of Americans follow their example, we'll make huge strides in preventing future attacks on our nation."
Proceeds from the sale of the "United We Stand" license plates in South Carolina and five other states will be donated to the Connecticut-based non-profit Rewards for Justice Fund. The Fund was created after the brutal attacks on America last year as a means for ordinary citizens to contribute to American anti-terrorism efforts. 100% of the money raised from the public will be used by the U.S. Department of State's Rewards for Justice Program.
In less than a year, the Fund's "United We Stand" license plate program has become the most widespread specialty plate program in the nation. The Fund expects several other states to pass similar legislation over the coming months and hopes to raise $100 million over the next 5 years.
Citizens can learn more about the Fund and the "United We Stand" license plate program through the organization's web site, www.RewardsFund.us.









For high-quality license plate images contact ashulman@RewardsFund.us For B-Roll and Sound Bites, contact ashulman@RewardsFund.us

"United We Stand" License Plates

connecticut
florida
new jersey
massachusetts
south carolina
virginia


The Rewards for Justice Fund is a non-governmental, non-profit 501 (c) (3) charitable organization whose sole affiliation with the U.S. Department of State's Rewards for Justice Program is for the purpose of raising and providing private contributions for its use in the identification and apprehension of terrorists operating within the United States and abroad.

Unified Registration Statement (URS) For Charitable Org.

IRS 501(C)(3) Status
SN