Indianapolis - Nov 14, 2001 - The Broadcast Engineer Relief Fund, established by the Society of Broadcast Engineers and the Ennes Educational Foundation Trust, has been a success beyond the Society's expectations. Through November 13, a total of 158 donations from individuals, companies, SBE chapters and other organizations have been received. Several companies have agreed to match their employees' donations, and the McCormick Tribune Foundation has agreed to match 50% of the first $100,000 of donations for a potential donation of up to $50,000.

The current dollar amount received to date is $54,090. Add to that the McCormick Tribune match of 50% and the total comes to $81,135.

By October 31, each of the immediate families of the six broadcast engineers lost at the World Trade Center received a check for $5,000. All the families will receive additional checks as the fund continues to grow. All donations are going to the families of the victims. None of the collected money goes to administrative costs.