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The Giunta Memorial Trust was established on 8/31/94 in tribute to Fall River Police Officer Tom Giunta who was killed in the line of duty on the afternoon of 8/24/94. Since that time, we have deposited more than $130,000 to those accounts, now managed by the Fall River 5 Cents Savings Bank. Legal counsel is provided by Attorney Thomas F. McGuire,Jr.; accounting services are provided by Mr. Thomas A. D'Ambrosio, CPA.

Deputy Chief of Police Cathleen L. Moniz acts as the Administrator and worked with police personnel and legal and financial representatives to create a charitable trust as well as a formal Trust Committee. Thus, The Thomas J. Giunta Memorial Trust was created as a charitable organization under sections170(c), 501(c)(3), 2055(a), and 2522 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code, which restricts the purposes for which the Trust monies can be used to those that are charitable in nature. The Trust agreement was executed in August, 1995.

To date, the Trust commits the bulk of its funds to five separate scholarships, four of which are perpetual and one that is funded annually. Recipients are chosen by an independent selection panel. Other funds are subject to charitable disbursement as the Committee determines. Under legal guidelines, no profits are taken and no members receive compensation for service. All monies generated become part of the Trust Fund.

Donations may be made at any time to the Giunta Memorial Trust Fund via the Fall River Police Department, 685 Pleasant St., Fall River, Mass. 02723. The annual Giunta 5K Road Race, held on the first Sunday in April, continues to provide the Trust Fund with most of its support; in the past twelve years, it has produced over $104,000.

The Trust Committee, under its by-laws, consists of up to nine members, all of whom serve voluntarily and indefinitely. All are active or retired officers of the Fall River Police Department. At this writing, they are:

• Cathleen L. Moniz, Administrator
• Roland R. Proulx, Asst. Administrator
• Manuel Rapoza, Clifford Wright, Daniel Ahaesy, Bruce McCabe
• Raymond Correia, Timothy Giunta, David Pacheco

Serving as advisors to the Committee are the active Chief of Police John M. Souza and Officer Giunta's surviving widow, Doris M. Giunta. The Committee meets a minimum of twice annually, in February and in August of each year.

For more information about the Giunta Memorial Trust, the scholarships, the independent selection panel, or the annual Giunta 5K Road Race, please contact Cathleen L. Moniz at 508 324-2791.

Officer Thomas J. Giunta Memorial Scholarship (perpetual)

Part of the BCC Endowment Fund. Funded in part by a $15000 gift from the Memorial Trust Fund. Awarded each year to a child of an active or retired Fall River Police Department officer as an incoming freshman with a B (3.0 GPA) average or better, or to a criminal justice student in need.* First announcement in August 1996. Amount of award grows as endowment grows. Selection is made by the BCC staff. Applications are available at FRPD mid-March to early May!

Officer Thomas J. Giunta Memorial Scholarship (perpetual)

Part of the American Dream Challenge which operates in the City's elementary and secondary school system. Funded by a $2000 gift from the Memorial Trust Fund. Awarded each year to a fourth-grade student who demonstrates skill in the annual essay contest.* First award in spring of 1996. Amount of award is $100 annually. Selection is made by Dr. Irving Fradkin and the ADC staff.

Officer Thomas J. Giunta Memorial Scholarship (annual)

Funded annually with a gift from the Memorial Trust Fund, as funds allow. Awarded to active Fall River Police Department officer in continuing education, with 3.0 GPA, at accredited college level.* First announcement in August 1996. Amount of award is $1000. Selection is made by independent Scholarship Selection Panel. Applications are available at FRPD mid-March to early May!

Officer Thomas J. Giunta Memorial College Scholarship (perpetual) for High School Seniors

Funded and established by the Memorial Trust Committee with a base of $50000. Awarded each year to two graduating Fall River-high school (Bishop Connolly, BMC Durfee, or Diman Reg Voc Tech) seniors with a 3.0 GPA, who are continuing to college.* First announcement in August 1998. Amount of awards is $1000. per. Candidates' names forwarded to Committee via Fall River-high schools. Selection is made by independent Scholarship Selection Panel. Applications available at High School Guidance Departments mid-March to early May!

*Other criteria may apply - see up-to-date application for details.

It is the hope of the Memorial Trust Committee that, as the Memorial Fund continues to grow, more scholarship and charitable opportunities will benefit from this lasting and positive remembrance of our friend and colleague. If you have any ideas, please forward them to any of the Thomas J. Giunta Memorial Trust Committee members.

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