Mologne House Courtyard Program

Financial and Administration Policy and Procedures

Fundamental Policy: It is the policy of the Yellow Ribbon Fund to have complete transparency and openness for the financial and administrative procedures applicable to all its programs, including the Mologne House Courtyard Program.

Fundraising: Funds will be raised specifically for this Program either from individuals or corporations, through specific solicitations, or through a donations recognized on Paving Stones placed on the "Walk of Appreciation" or elsewhere in the Mologne House Courtyard.

Paving Stone Protocol: The use of Paving Stones for the solicitation of contributions, the recognition of donors and expressions of appreciation to services, units, and service members must adhere to the Paving Stone Protocol accompanying this Policy and Procedures.

Use of Funds: The proceeds from contributions for Paving Stones will be used exclusively for the Mologne House Courtyard Program and, once it has been paid for, for direct benefit for the troops and their families through the programs of the Yellow Ribbon Fund, such as the Transportation Assistance Program and the Lodging Assistance Program.

Separate Accounting: The Yellow Ribbon Fund will maintain complete financial records of receipts and disbursements related to the Mologne House Courtyard Program. A complete accounting will be provided to any donor upon request.

Contract and Payment Approval: All contracts and payments must be approved by Deputy Program Manager Brendan Quinn and Project Manager Ken Cook and by two of the following: Program Chairman Ed Quinn, Program Manager Denis Neill, and Finance Director John Leyes, or such other persons as determined by the Board of Directors of the Yellow Ribbon Fund. No contract will be approved unless there are sufficient funds available in the Program to meet the terms of the contract. All disbursements will be approved by Mr. Brendan Quinn and Mr. Ken Cook and then will be made directly to subcontractor in accordance with existing Yellow Ribbon Fund policy and procedures.

Limitations on Paving Stones: Paving Stones may express appreciation only. The expression of appreciation may be general, or it may recognize a military unit or a serviceman or woman who has been a patient at Walter Reed Army Medical Center or the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda. The Yellow Ribbon Fund reserves the right to approve the use of any words inscribed on Paving Stones and it may reject a contribution without providing any reason. No service member's name will be placed on the Paving Stone without a written expression of agreement provided to the Yellow Ribbon Fund, which may be provided by the donor or the service member.

Contribution Acknowledgement and Recordkeeping: Each donor will receive a letter from the Yellow Ribbon Fund acknowledging the contribution, a Certificate of Appreciation, and the location of the Paving Stone in the Courtyard. Each participating service member will be given a Certificate of Appreciation and the location of the Paving Stone in the Courtyard.

Publicity: All publicity regarding the Mologne House Courtyard Program must be tasteful and in compliance with Yellow Ribbon Fund and Walter Reed Army Medical Center policy. The Yellow Ribbon Fund must approve all public documents and information, including a Program Brochure, website and blog postings, and video and other presentation materials.

Honor Roll: A Walk of Appreciation Honor Roll identifying all contributors to the Mologne House Courtyard Program will be maintained and published on the Yellow Ribbon Fund website. All donors who do not otherwise instruct the Yellow Ribbon Fund will be identified on the Walk of Appreciation Honor Roll.

Major Donors: The Mologne House Courtyard Program could not be initiated or completed without significant donations by individuals and corporations and without extensive in-kind donations by many businesses and volunteers. It shall be the policy of the Yellow Ribbon Fund to recognize those contributions in a manner consistent with the policy of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Charitable Contribution: The Yellow Ribbon Fund has tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations for the Paving Stones qualify as deductions for income tax purposes.

Paving Stone Protocol

Purpose: The Mologne House Courtyard Program will enhance the living of the service members and their families living at Walter Reed by providing three patio areas with outdoor fireplaces, barbeques and kitchens, graded ramps and walkways between the living area and the hospital, and a gazebo for outdoor gathering. A playground has already been completed. Each Paving Stone honors the troops who have been injured in service to our country and demonstrates the support of the community for these wonderful volunteers. All stones will (1) identify the donor, (2) express thanks, and (3) identify a specific or general object of thanks, as a way to thank all who have been injured or wounded, particularly those who have gone through Walter Reed.

Amount: All contributions for the benefit of the wounded warriors are welcome. A minimum contribution of $400 will be recognized on a 4" x 8" Paving Stone, which has three lines of 13 characters each, including spaces between words, and a minimum contribution of $800 will be recognized on an 8" x 8" Paving Stone which has four lines of 13 characters each, including spaces between words. Very generous contributions of $1,500 or more will be recognized on a 12" x 12" Paving Stone, which has six lines of 15 characters each.

Donors: Individuals, families, schools, classes, companies, civic organizations such as Rotary Clubs and Kiwanis Clubs, American Legion and VFW Posts, other clubs or informal groups may make the donation. The first line (4" x 8" stone), first two lines (8" x 8" stone), or first three lines (12" x 12" stone) will identify the generous contributor to these wounded warriors and their families.

Appreciation: The rest of the stone (lines 2 and 3 of a 4" x 8" stone, lines 3 and 4 of an 8" x 8" stone, and lines 4-6 of a 12" x 12" stone) will include an expression of appreciation to all by identifying a specific object of that appreciation: a service branch, a unit, or an individual soldier, sailor, Marine, airman or coastguardsman who has gone through Walter Reed or Bethesda Naval. Alternatively, the donor may simply choose to express appreciation generally, for example to "All Who Serve." Each line on a 4" x 8" stone and on an 8" x 8" stone is limited to 13 characters, including spaces between words. Each line on a 12" x 12" stone is limited to 15 characters, including spaces between words. No service member's name will be placed on the Paving Stone without a written expression of agreement provided to the Yellow Ribbon Fund, which may be provided by the donor or the service member.

Location: Starting in March, 2008, Paving Stones will be placed on the "Walk of Appreciation" or on one of the patios that will be constructed in the Mologne House Courtyard. Each donor and each participating service member will be given a Certificate of Appreciation and the location of the Paving Stone in the Courtyard.

Use of Funds: Contributions recognized through Paving Stones will be used for the Mologne House Courtyard Program or for direct benefit for the troops and their families through the programs of the Yellow Ribbon Fund, such as the Transportation Assistance Program and the Lodging Assistance Program.

Charitable Contribution: The Yellow Ribbon Fund has tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations recognized through the Paving Stones qualify as deductions for income tax purposes.