Mission: To encourage the spiritual, moral, intellectual and physical development of children through education.
Members of the Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation (MC-LEF) believe that our nation’s most precious resource is its youth. And they put their efforts and personal resources into promoting the educational opportunities for youth.
On Dec. 6, 1994, a group of Marine veterans and former federal law enforcement officers gathered at the home of Steven Wallace, himself a Marine veteran. With Wallace were Jim Kallstrom and Pete Haas. Kallstrom is a former director of the FBI office in New York City and a former Marine captain during the Vietnam War. Haas, a Korean War veteran who once served with Marine icon Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller, is a former sergeant major in the Corps. Their purpose was to find a way to assist the children of Marines and federal law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. Thus began the Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation.
Focused on low overhead and providing support for the children, MC-LEF is a nonprofit foundation. Headquartered in Pete Haas’ cellar until recently, when office spaces were acquired in New York City, it is, like the U.S. Marine Corps, a volunteer organization. With humble beginnings, the organization, led by driven, focused individuals with big hearts, has provided aid valued at more than $45 million, in grants, for the children they serve. Unlike most charities, 98 percent of all money raised goes directly to the youngsters in need.
Children of active-duty Marines or federal law enforcement personnel who die on active duty may be eligible to receive U.S. Treasury Bonds from the MC-LEF to defray future educational expenses. Assistance also is awarded to eligible children who face exceptional physical or mental challenges, who require special care, medical equipment, or special tutoring.
No direct mail solicitations are made. Foundation funding is obtained from Marines, law enforcement personnel, friends, foundations, private businesses and corporations who make financial contributions to support the important MC-LEF work. In addition to Jim Kallstrom, the current MC-LEF board chairman, and Pete Haas, the current MC-LEF president, other senior leaders include board vice chairmen Steven Wallace, Richard P. Torykian Sr. and Gary E. Schweikert.
Others among the prominent list of directors are Colonel H. C. “Barney” Barnum Jr., USMC (Ret), who earned the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War; Michael A. Fedorko, superintendent of police for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; and noted law enforcement leader Raymond A. Kelly, New York City Police commissioner who saw action in the Vietnam War at Khe Sanh and Hue City, and retired from the Marine Corps Reserve with the rank of colonel.
Directors include all the living Commandants of the Marine Corps, several Assistant Commandants and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Peter Pace. Trying to isolate and name a few of the leaders led Haas to declare, “Best not to just credit anyone. We are a foundation of all great volunteers. Strike names and fill with facts.”
Still, one of the best-known directors of the foundation is talk show host Rush Limbaugh. He has donated millions of dollars and very often speaks of the foundation on his talk radio show.
“The Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation is amazing,” said Limbaugh. “Nearly all dollars go to beneficiaries. Think of that. I know of no other charity with that kind of efficiency. … If I had not learned what goodness, love and compassion are when I met the people who run the foundation, I certainly would have learned then. They could patent it.”
In March, foundation members, guests and sponsors gathered in New York City for their 15th gala. Honored at the gala were Dr. Henry Kissinger, 56th Secretary of State and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, and Robert S. Kapito, president and a cofounder of BlackRock Inc., an investment management firm in New York.
Prior honorees include James A. Baker, former Secretary of State and Secretary of Treasury; former California Governor Pete Wilson; Senator Joseph Lieberman; General Pete Pace, the first Marine to serve as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Gen James L. Jones, 32nd Commandant of the Marine Corps and current National Security Advisor; and George Shultz, America’s 60th Secretary of State, who served as a Marine artillery officer in the Pacific Theatre of Operations.
In addition to the New York galas, the foundation sponsors recognition dinners in San Diego; Chicago; Philadelphia; and Atlantic City, N.J.; and golf outings in Huntington and Long Island, N.Y.; Lake Las Vegas, Nev.; Scottsdale, Ariz.; Picatinny Arsenal, Dover and Atlantic City, N.J.; and St. Louis to raise additional funds. Charity bike rides and 10K races also have been used to raise foundation donations.
The phrase “Semper Fidelis” is more than a motto and is recognized around the world. It invokes the history and traditions of the U.S. Marine Corps, embraces the Marine esprit de corps, and represents the lifetime commitment of the individual Marine to Corps, country and each other—“Always Faithful.”
The MC-LEF embraces that commitment by providing immediate scholarship bonds to eligible children of Marines and federal law enforcement personnel killed, and by providing special financial support for medical assistance to eligible children.
Author’s note: For readers who may be interested in the services provided by this worthy charity, additional information may be found on the Web site: www.mc-lef.org. The foundation is a tax-exempt charity.
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