OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, THE HANOVER EMERGENCY RESPONSE COMMUNITY HAD A NUMBER OF OUR MEMBERS SUFFER VARIOUS ILLNESS AND INJURIES WHICH COST THEM THE ABILITY TO WORK FOR PROLONGED PERIODS. THE FINANCIAL HARDSHIP THIS CREATED FOR OUR RESPONDERS AND THEIR FAMILIES MADE US REALIZE THAT WE NEEDED A MEANS TO AID OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHEN BENEFITS RUN OUT AND COVERAGE FAILS. THE FOUNDATION IS ORGANIZED EXCLUSIVELY FOR CHARITABLE, RELIGIOUS, EDUCATIONAL, AND SCIENTIFIC PURPOSES, INCLUDING FOR SUCH PURPOSES, THE MAKING OF DISTRIBUTIONS TO PRESENT OR PAST MEMBERS OF THE HANOVER EMERGENCY RESPONSE COMMUNITY, AND THEIR IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS, AND THE HANOVER EMERGENCY RESPONSE COMMUNITY IN LARGE. THE PURPOSE OF THE FUND IS TO PROVIDE AID IN TIMES OF FINANCIAL CRISIS, HARDSHIPS OR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS TO HANOVER COUNTY EMERGENCY RESPONDERS, UNIFORMED AND CIVILIAN, BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED AND HLE AND DEPARTMENT FULL MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING, AS WELL AS, THEIR IMMEDIATE FAMILIES.