MRE PRESS RELEASE

Jan. 18, 2002

Contact:
Elvia Thompson, Minister of Propaganda
Maritime Republic of Eastport
410 990-9025
elvia@stellarpresentations.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

$20,400 RAISED BY MRE TUG OF WAR
DISTRIBUTED TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS

The Maritime Republic of Eastport's 2001 Tug of War resulted in $20,400 being raised for charitable organizations in the Annapolis area and for a terrorist disaster fund. This amount brings the aggregate total of funds raised for charity in the Tug of War's four years to $62,387.

The 2001 Tug funds were distributed in a joyous ceremony on Dec. 19, 2001, in Eastport. Some 100 people attended, including neighbors, friends, and representatives of the 15 benefiting charities.

Organizations that sponsored teams in the Nov. 4, 2001, Tug of War earned the right to designate the charity to which its percentage of the allocable funds would go. The MRE had also selected 10 charities to which the bulk of the funds raised would go. Tug chairman Mike Raab had the honor of presenting the checks during the ceremony.

The American Red Cross received the $1,008 designated to it by Annapolis Bank and Trust. Thomas Lehman of the Red Cross accepted the check.

Mitzi Bernard of United Cerebral Palsy of Southern Maryland accepted $1,000, as designated by Buck Distributing.

The Junior League of Annapolis' Teen Mothers Mentoring Program funds from two organizations: the Junior League of Annapolis Tug Team designated $773 to the Program and MRE designated $27, for a total of $800. Annapolis Junior League President Colleen Parr Winans and Janet Porter accepted the check.

The Eastport Yacht Club Foundation received $500. Dick Hoagland accepted the check, which included $326 from the Eastport Yacht Club Coed Tug Team and $174 from MRE.

Tug Chairman Mike Raab and Mitzi Bernard of United Cerebral Palsy of Southern Maryland	Tug Chairman Mike Raab and representatives of the Junior League
		Love & Action founder Jeff Collins

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation's Oyster Restoration Project came away with $3,142--the largest amount designated to a single charity this year. Buck Distributing designated $959; Lewnes Restaurant & MRE Women's Tug Team designated $1,375; the Annapolis Men's Tug Team designated $415; and MRE designated $393. CBF Maryland Oyster Corps Coordinator Stephanie Reynolds and CBF Senior Naturalist John Page Williams, Jr., accepted the check.

Jeff Holland, John Black, and Buck Buchanan accepted a check for $2,000 made up of designations from: Eastport Yacht Club Coed Tug Team, $250; Lewnes Restaurant & MRE Women's Tug Team, $1,375; MRE, $375.

Tug Chairman Mike Raab and Karen Sinclair of the Lighthouse Shelter	Representatives of the OIC Job Readiness Center	Tug Chairman Mike Raab and Karen Karos of Eastport Elementary's RIF Program

The Eastport SPCA Rescue Program benefited from the Tug to the tune of $1,500 due to the $1,080 designated by Kevin Gersonde and the ChartHouse Restaurant, and $420 designated by MRE. SPCA of Anne Arundel County President Fred Graul accepted the check.

Love & Action's founder, Jeff Collins, accepted a check for $1,750, which included $250 designated by the Eastport Yacht Club Coed Tug Team and $1,500 from MRE.

MRE presented a $1,000 check to the Lighthouse Shelter, accepted by Karen Sinclair.

Noah's Ark Treatment Center's Eastport Terrace Drug Counseling program received $500 from MRE. Rev. Hulan Marshall, Director of the treatment center, accepted the check.

MRE presented a $2,000 check to the OIC Job Readiness Center. The check was accepted by Van Nield, Jim Turner, and George Phelps.

Karen Karos of Eastport Elementary School's Reading is Fundamental Program (RIF) accepted a check for $2,000, as designated by MRE.

The Civil Air Patrol's Irwin Row Scholarship Fund was another designated organization of MRE. Young Jonathan Smythe, a member of the CAP, was the recipient of the $2,000 scholarship, which the CAP established to teach youngsters to fly.

Monitor International's David Barker and Lisa Borre accepted a $500 check, as designated by MRE.

In addition to these local charities and organizations, this year MRE determined that a portion of the Tug of War proceeds would benefit the families of the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Accordingly, $800 was presented to the Baltimore Sun Disaster Relief Fund. That amount grew to $1,200 thanks to the Baltimore Sun Disaster Relief Fund's 50% Matching Funds Program. Carol Dreyfus from the Sun accepted the check and said that the money would benefit families of victims in New York and the Pentagon.

Tug Chairman Mike Raab, Jonathan Smythe and his dad	Tug Chairman Mike Raab and Monitor International's David Barker and Lisa Borre
		Tug Chairman Mike Raab and Carol Dreyfus

Tug Chairman Mike Raab and Jennifer Gilday

Also honored at the ceremony was Jennifer Gilday of Annapolis Bank and Trust. She raised more money for the Tug charities than any other single individual: $980. Charlie Lewnes of Lewnes Restaurant and Kevin Gersonde of the ChartHouse Restaurant were honored for their extraordinary contributions and support of the 2001 Tug of War event.

The Fourth Annual International Tug of War, held Nov. 3, 2001, was fun...with a purpose. The Tug of War draws on the rivalry between Eastport, the maritime neighborhood across Spa Creek from downtown Annapolis, and the city itself, with civic pride on both sides of the creek making this zany event more than a community fun day. The family-friendly event draws crowds on both sides of the harbor, all vying for bragging rights for the next year.

MRE sponsors the event as part of its commitment to make the entire community a better place to live. With the financial backing of other private groups and businesses, the Tug is an outstanding example of how to supplement local, state and federal government activities. The $20,400 raised for charitable organizations this year brings the aggregate total of funds raised for charity in the Tug of War's four years to $62,387.

More information is available on the official MRE website at www.TheMRE.org.

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