The Washington DC Police Fund, an innovative organization dedicated to promoting public safety and enhancing youth opportunity throughout the District of Columbia, will present $1,000 college scholarship awards to five deserving students from the DC area who are entering or returning to school this fall.  The scholarship awards are named in honor of Metropolitan Police Chief Charles H. Ramsey, for his dedication to youth crime prevention and opportunity.

What:	Washington DC Police Fund College Scholarship Awards Presentation
When:	Friday, August 25, 2006, 1 pm
Where:	Metropolitan Police Department Headquarters 300 Indiana Avenue, NW – 5th Floor Conference Room
Who:	Scholarship recipients and family members; Washington DC Police Fund Co-Chairs Eric Holder and Margret Nedelkoff Kellems, Chief Charles H. Ramsey
Contact:	Samuel F. Harahan, Washington DC Police Fund (202) 223-4560 or cell (703) 850-8724

Note: Media planning to cover the ceremony should report to the MPD’s Public Information Office, Room 4046, by 12:45  pm

The college scholarship program was announced at the Police Fund’s Awards Ceremony in June. The five recipients were recommended by MPD officials for their academic achievement and leadership. Two of the recipients are returning students at Morgan State University, one is a returning student at East Tennessee State University, and two are first-year students entering Shaw University.

The Washington DC Police Fund is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization that seeks to improve public safety in the District of Columbia. The Police Fund works closely with Chief Ramsey to assist the Metropolitan Police Department by providing resources and support to enhance the Department’s crime solving ability and to promote community policing. Much of the grant funding has been directed to a host of youth violence prevention projects across the District.

The Washington DC Police Fund was established in 2000, under the Federal City Council, by Washington DC-area business and civic leaders.  The Fund operates as an advised fund under the auspices of the Community Foundation for the National Capital Region.