INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, June 23 — All BLET members with adolescent children going on to higher education, whether it be for trade school, associate, bachelor or graduate degrees, please take notice. The Franklin P. Greene Fund, established in 1956, is an educational loan fund set up to assist the children of living or deceased BLET members by providing educational assistance with low-interest loans.

The necessary requirements are: the BLET member/parent living is in good standing, or if deceased was in good standing at the time of his/her death; that an application be filled out, signed, and returned along with at least one letter of recommendation; an official copy of the student’s high school or college transcript; and an acceptance letter from the educational institution the applicant will be attending. These documents must be sent to Ms. Nicole Schonhut, Staff Accountant, BLET Accounting Department, 7061 East Pleasant Valley Road, Independence, Ohio 44131. 

Brother Franklin P. Greene was a member of BLET Division 266 (Gladstone, Mich.) and a locomotive engineer on the Soo Line from 1895 to 1940. Before his death at the age of 86, Brother Greene wrote to then-Grand Chief Engineer Guy L. Brown stating, “… everything I have I owe to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.” In appreciation for what the Organization did for him, Brother Greene established the loan fund in his Will. 

The National Division understands school begins this August and September. We ask that interested persons submit applications as soon as time permits. Should you have any questions regarding the loan, please direct them to Ms. Schonhut at: 216-241-2630, ext. 211 or you may email her at: schonhut@ble-t.org.