Local Student Earns Police Benevolent Foundation Scholarship

(McDonough, GA – June 19, 2007) On December 1, 2006, the Police Benevolent Foundation (PBF), a 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in McDonough, Georgia, launched its inaugural scholarship program. The window was open until March 1, 2007 and the Foundation received 25 applications from seven states. One of the applicants, Ryan Kimbell of McDonough, Georgia, exemplified the kind of student the PBF was looking to help.

“Ryan Kimbell’s application was impressive,” stated Executive Director Marlon Trone. “He more than met our criteria and we are pleased to be able to assist him with a scholarship of $1,000.00 as the sole scholarship recipient of the Georgia Division of the Southern States Police Benevolent Association.” According to Trone, the PBF anticipates providing larger scholarships in the future as donations increase.

Kimbell, a 2007 graduate of Anderson Home School in Anderson, South Carolina, has been accepted to and is attending Clemson University in South Carolina. In his scholarship essay, Kimbell stated “Rather than a vague goal of getting a degree in an area of study, I have career aspirations as to what to do with that degree.” He continued, “After receiving my degree in zoology, I intend to go into an area of scientific research.” He states that his “ideal job would be to work with sign language speaking primates…” According to his essay, he was inducted into the National Society of High School Scholars and Who’s Who Among American High School Students. Since Ryan Kimbell was at Clemson for orientation, his father, Sgt. Chuck Kimbell of the Jonesboro Police Department, was on hand at the scholarship presentation at the Police Benevolent Association of Georgia office on June 19. Bob Willard, President of the South Metro Chapter of the PBA of Georgia, presented an award check to Sgt. Kimbell on Ryan’s behalf.

The Foundation scholarship may be used for tuition, room and board or books. The 2008 scholarship window will re-open December 1, 2007. Criteria for the scholarship applicants are listed on the PBF website www.pbfi.org and the Southern States Police Benevolent Association website, www.sspba.org.

The Police Benevolent Foundation, a 501(c)3 charitable organization, was created by the Southern States Police Benevolent Association, Inc.(SSPBA) to further its goals of supporting law enforcement officers and their families. In addition to providing disaster relief to law enforcement officers, the PBF also provides death benefits to survivors of fallen officers, supports the civil and human rights of officers, and provides scholarships. For more information, call 1-800-233-3506, ext. 735.