The David Racine Scholarship Fund was recently created following David Racine’s sudden death on December 27, 2011 as the result of a brain aneurysm. At 25 years old, David was the only child of Patti and Tracy Racine. He had recently taken steps to enter the U.S. Marine Corps as a flight mechanic. His love of football and his big heart have inspired the Racines to establish The David Racine Scholarship Fund as a lasting way to honor David and to keep his memory alive and vibrant. The Fund is a component charitable fund of the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan.

Racine was an avid outdoorsman, fisherman and had a passion for life, especially for football and Burke Catholic. “Higher, faster and with his hair on fire; that’s how David approached the world and football,” said his parents. In 2002, when Burke Catholic started its first-ever football team, David was a member of that team. The team’s motto was ‘Family, Faith and Football.’

Through The David Racine Scholarship Fund, a scholarship will be awarded annually to a Burke Catholic football player who is a leader, team player, and good person with the same character and passion that David exhibited for family, faith, football, and Burke Catholic High School.

The Community Foundation manages charitable funds and handles all of the fiscal reporting and administration for each charitable fund under its umbrella, thereby keeping administration costs much lower than a private foundation, and allowing more dollars to flow toward grants and scholarships. “We are pleased to administer this charitable fund on behalf of the Racine family to benefit graduating students of John S. Burke Catholic High School,” said Karen VanHouten Minogue, Executive Director.

On Sunday, December 2, 2012, David’s cousins will host a commemorative balloon launch to celebrate and honor David’s life on what would have been his 26th birthday. Contributions to The David Racine Scholarship Fund are welcome. Donations may be made to CFOS-The David Racine Scholarship Fund and sent to the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, 30 Scott’s Corners Drive, Suite 202, Montgomery, NY 12549. Donations may also be made on-line at www.cfoc-ny.org. The Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All gifts are tax deductible under current tax laws.