We would like to take a moment to provide an update regarding the CHRISTOPHER SAATHOFF FOUNDATION and to thank all of you who have contributed to the start-up of the charity in honor of our son Chris. We continue to be overwhelmed by the outpouring of your support and kindness. THANK YOU!
This past week the IRS approved our submission as a (501c3) charitable foundation and your contribution is now fully tax deductible. The Christopher Saathoff Foundation will become an instrument to support the art of music in the Chicago area. We plan to develop programs, activities and even a center where we can make sure “the music never stops” and we hope to accomplish this in cooperation with schools and local organizations. Our dream to someday have a center where young musicians can practice, perform and record will be dependent upon the level of interest and support shown for Chris’ foundation. Thank you for giving it a great start! Now that we are a legally recognized charity, I hope that when you think of donating to a worthy cause you will think of our efforts. We will keep you posted as to our progress in the coming months…….
We chose today to write this note because it is July 1, 2004 and would have been Chris’ 27th birthday. We have managed our way through these past four months knowing that we will carry our sorrow with us forever, yet the memories that Chris created for us helps guide our way each day. We miss him so much, and we know those of you that knew him also miss his kindness, friendship and love. Chris was a very special person and we are going to do our best to honor his memory through his foundation. He lived for his music and we want to ensure that his love of music continues to grow through others that have the talent and desire to create. We are creating a website for the foundation. You can view it and contribute if you like at www.chrissaathofffoundation.org. We will try to post activities and accomplishments from the foundation as well as fund raising events on this website. At this writing, we are still in the creation stages.
We want to send special thanks to Pete Croke for creating the original website and helping maintain the content. A very special thanks also goes to Kevin Driscoll who is the lawyer that did all the legal preparation of the foundation paperwork and the submission to the state and the IRS. He did this as his contribution to the foundation. Like I said – we have been overwhelmed by the support from all of you and we are confident of the success of the foundation because of that continued support.