Under six years old—$2,866

6-12 years old—$2,992

13-17 years old—-$4,081

The average also includes college students and adults going back to school in the mix.  We all know the cost of new shoes, backpacks, winter coats, clothing, school supplies, etc., goes up every year.

At the Katmai Memorial Fund, we are concerned that our families are facing this cost very soon.  We want to disburse our first funds prior to the new school year, and are still on track to do so.

If you know of a family that has lost a breadwinner to a commercial fishing accident, please help them contact us at the address above.  We want to help.

In addition, please encourage your friends and family to ‘friend’ us on FaceBook.   We need all the friends we can get for this new venture.

Thanks,

Susan

Allow me to introduce myself.  I am Susan E Layng, and my son, Carlos Martin Zabala perished during the sinking of the F/V Katmai in the Aleutian Islands on October 22, 2008.  We have never recovered his remains.

On October 31, 2008, I was speaking with Joe Blake, Captain of the Katmai on the phone.  He and I agreed that we are blessed to have four survivors from the sinking, and blessed also to have a new family made up of the families of the seven lost at sea.  We determined that day to set up a fund that would help our friends weather the new storm they faced in dealing with the loss of their sons, fathers, brothers, uncles and cousins.  After a delay caused by the legal intricacies of insurance and probate laws, we are now in a position to act on our beliefs.

We have gathered a Board of Directors for the Katmai Memorial Fund.  Those members include myself, Joe Blake, Roy Brown, Jessie Luther and Sig Hansen.  All members have a vital role to play in our organization.  I hope to be able to present the families’ concerns, Joe will champion the causes of the survivors and captains, and Mr. Brown brings a wealth of insurance knowledge to our team.  Ms. Luther is an attorney-at-law and will help safeguard us from the legal pitfalls we may face.  Mr. Hansen needs no introduction from me…he is, of course, Captain of F/V Northwestern and an advocate of safety in the fishing industry.

Our Board has every intention of being a hard-working, responsible panel dedicated to finding ways to ease the financial burden faced by families who are struck by a disaster in the commercial fishing industry.  We are enjoying broad-based support from individuals and corporations such as the Discovery Channel.  We hope to guarantee that this Fund is helping people for many years to come.

To that end, Joe has been fundraising while I am setting up the business end of the Fund.  We are soliciting donations of a computer and software for maintaining databases of donors and ensuring Federal compliance with tax laws.  If you have any information on helping us secure these or other donations, please contact us at the address above.

We are of course also soliciting donations of funds to keep the Fund moving forward.  Any donations are gratefully welcomed at P O Box 9787, Helena MT 59604.

We are also accepting written and photographic memorials of loved ones who perished to be posted to our website.  We look forward to your submissions!

God bless us all,

Susan

Even a penny or two would be greatly appreciated.

Donations can be sent to

The Katmai Memorial Fund

PO Box 9787

Helena, MT 59604.

info@thekatmaimemorialfund.org

The Katmai Memorial Fund has been set up to help the families of fisherman who are lost at sea. Each year fisherman perish at sea. Along with the pain of losing their fathers, sons, husbands, brothers, and loved ones, their families are suddenly financially insecure. This fund is source they can turn to as they get back on their feet financially since often they have nowhere else to turn.

Thank you,

Captain Joe Blake

Katmai