ABOUT THE MARLEE FOUNDATION
WHY THE "MARLEE" FOUNDATION?
For over 14 years I had the good fortune of living side by side with my beautiful, white Labrador Retriever Marlee. This special chapter in my life forever changed me and made me fully realize the importance of being grateful and of subsequently giving back.
For many years Marlee and I drove back and forth across the US together 2 to 4 times per year. Being a water dog I made sure she was able to explore the many swimming spots along the way such as Lake Tahoe, the Great Lakes, Lake McConaughy in NE, the Bear River in Wyoming, Lake Havasu, Key West, Carmel, and of course her favorite spot on the Atlantic shown above - Minot Beach in Scituate, MA. Whether it was just the two of us or if we travelled with others, it was always a big adventure! At times when I was not feeling well she would curl up against me and seemed to take the illness out of my body and into her own. This may be difficult to believe by some but I am sure there are many others who know exactly what I am talking about. Her last 3 months were particularly difficult as she stoically carried on while a spinal tumor took away her ability to feel her hind legs. Two months before her passing I made one of the best decisions of my life - to spend 9 days over New Years 2014 in Key West together exploring the island daily from the back of a golf cart, swimming as best she could in the warm Atlantic and eating breakfast on the porch together and shrimp cocktails on the beach every night. As she lay in my arms on her last day I promised her she would now simply continue to live within me and that together we would try to do wonderful things for many years to come for those that cannot help themselves. William M. Hale President The Marlee Foundation |
BOARD MEMBERS
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS
Rick Kaiser
U.S. Navy SEAL (Ret.) BMCM "Will, thank you for leaving no child left behind." |
Michael E. Thornton
USN SEAL (Ret.) CMOH "Leave No Man Left Behind is the Creed of the SEALs." |
Jack Jacobs
US Army (Ret.) CMOH "Proud to support all you are doing for the children of those who sacrifice for all American's." |