The David Liston Memorial Fund was established in the year following the death of Alaska Smokejumper David John Liston on April 29, 2000. David died during a training jump at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, in his third season as an Alaska Smokejumper. The David Liston Memorial Fund was created in Dave's living memory by the Alaska Smokejumpers, and embodies the spirit of goodwill and compassion among smokejumpers past and present. Distribution of gifts from the Fund will be facilitated with benevolence and purpose in times of need.

The Alaska Smokejumpers, as one crew, will evaluate and determine amounts and distributions of gifts from the Fund. Donations from the Fund will be approved by a consensus of the crew, and are limited only by the balance that the Fund is able to maintain at any given time. Due to financial limitations, "determinations of need" must be made with careful consideration.

The Alaska Smokejumpers regularly collect informal donations, for various expressions of support in a wide range of situations. These may include the sending of flowers or other gifts to express encouragement or condolences, and have also included generous collections for donations to medical expense funds for members of the wildland firefighting community and their families, as well as the community at large.

The David Liston Memorial Fund is distinguished primarily for donations to the family members and crews of wildland firefighters, particularly smokejumpers, in the unfortunate event of the loss of a loved one during the course of active duty. We seek to help those who have suffered such a loss in the interest of remembering, honoring, and paying tribute to our fallen friends. These may include donations to help with the construction of memorials, the creation of plaques, the planting of trees, or the creation of video or pictoral memorial projects.

However, there are no obligations or restrictions upon which situations, individuals or groups may receive gifts from the Fund, nor restrictions upon monetary amounts of any gift to or from the Fund. Currently the Fund maintains about $3500 in an independent account at the Military and Civilian Federal Credit Union located at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. We prefer to be prepared for the unforseen yet inevitable tragedies inherent to the profession of smokejumping and wildland firefighting.

Solicitations of benefactors to the Liston Fund (such as this one) are voluntary and greatly appreciated. Please consult your tax advisor to determine the tax-deductable amount of your donation. We are currently seeking non-profit status for the Fund to make this process easier.

Checks can be made payable to: The David Liston Memorial Fund, c/o The Alaska Smokejumpers, 1513 Gaffney Road, Fort Wainwright, Alaska, 99703. Our phone number is (800) 237-3658.