August 18, 2009 

The Houston Blues Society was a beneficiary of the Jimmy "T-99" estate.  The sum of $500 was bequeathed to the organization to establish a scholarship fund to be known as the T-99 Scholarship.  The funds are to be used expressly for the purpose of awarding scholarships to high school and college students who demonstrate promise and creativity in music composition or performing.  The selection of the recipients and the amount of the award are to be in the sole discretion of the Houston Blues Society or its successor. 

It was agreed at the August 17, 2009, meeting of the Board of Directors to grow the T-99 Scholarship Fund into perpetuity to honor the memory of Jimmy "T-99" Nelson and his legacy of blues music indigenous to Houston.  HBS is now accepting your tax-deductible donations to the fund by mail.  In the near future, for your ease of use, we will add an option to the "Merchandise - Membership" internet ordering system so you can donate by credit card on-line.   You will receive a receipt for your tax reporting records. 

The Board of Directors is very happy to announce that a donation of $500 has been received from Mr. Jack Henderson, thereby bringing the total of the fund to $1000 at this time. 

I have been in touch with the fine folks in Navasota who adminster the Mance Liscomb Scholarship Fund which is funded by the Navasota Blues Festival.  They are happy to share with us their knowledge and some of the forms they use for processing applications from students.  We will design our own forms, guidelines and eligibility criteria.  I trust that we will be in a position to award our first scholarship to a worthy student in the Summer of 2010. 

In the meantime, we are making plans for the First Annual Houston Blues Society T-99 Scholarship Fund Raiser & Holiday Party - date and details to be announced.   

Sincerely,
Linda Kirschbaum
President