Memorial Funds
OGC’s Memorial Funds have been established to honor chorus members’ legacies with funds dedicated to specific chorus functions. Funds include a scholarship fund, medical fund, leadership fund, and GALA fund.
Matthew La Victoire Scholarship Fund
Matthew was a long-term singing member in the baritone section of OGC who served on the Board of Directors, as outreach coordinator, and on a number of committees as leadership in the chorus. He was selected to receive an honorary membership to the organization. The Matthew La Victoire Scholarship Fund was established as a means of providing a limited number of scholarships to OGC members to reduce the financial commitment required to join the Chorus.
The Matthew La Victoire Memorial Scholarship Fund is funded by OGC and donations from members and friends of OGC.
Michael Ames GALA Fund
Michael was a long-term singing member in the bass section of OGC. He was involved with many fundraising activities and our annual Toys for Tots campaign. Going to the GALA Festival was his favorite event because he was able to share his passion for music and singing. Mike participated with the Metropolitan Business Association, Come Out With Pride, and more. He worked for The Watermark and Pinero Preventive Medical Care.
The Michael J. Ames GALA Fund was established to help OGC attend the GALA Festival. It offsets chorus registration fees, flights, hotel stays, and other expenses. The fund is endowed by Pinero Preventive Medical Care. Longtime supporters of the chorus, Dr Rafael E. Pinero and his husband OGC Alumnus Dennis Dunham, make an annual contribution to this fund and it is their wish that you will join them and contribute as well. Whether you want to honor Mike, or care deeply about the GALA Festival, please consider a donation.
Paul Ericson Medical Fund
The Paul R. Ericson Fund honors one of Orlando Gay Chorus' founding members. Paul was a charter member, Tenor II Section Leader extraordinaire, and friend of all. The Paul R. Ericson Fund was established in 1991 as a means of providing emergency financial assistance to Orlando Gay Chorus members who, due to a medical condition, need help in meeting their medical and non-medical financial obligations.
Your gift helps keep Paul's dream alive and be part of the powerful tradition born out of our community's response to AIDS.
Bill Blacklock Leadership Fund
The Bill Blacklock Leadership Fund was established in honor of our dearly departed brother in song, Bill Blacklock. Bill joined the Orlando Gay Chorus in 2012. He was a member of the bass section, the ensemble Spectrum, served as Chair of the Board of Directors, Come Out with PRIDE Chair, Co-Chair of the Membership committee, and was a fixture at community engagements and many other OGC events. Bill’s passionate and dedicated leadership inspired the creation of this fund.
This memorial aims to empower future leaders of OGC through sponsorship of leadership development activities, such as leadership retreats, workshop presenters, and other professional development opportunities. Thank you to Wayne Dictor for sponsoring the start of this fund and for the Board of Directors for their matching donations. If you would like to honor Bill or are interested in developing Chorus leadership, please consider donating.