SEATTLE, October 17, 2001 – The Ceasefire Foundation of Washington today announced the creation of the Tom Wales Endowment Fund, a fund that will support Ceasefire’s work to reduce gun violence. The Endowment was established in memory of Tom Wales, the former president of Washington Ceasefire, who was shot and killed by an unknown assailant in his Seattle home on October 11, 2001.

With the support of Wales’ family, the Tom Wales Endowment Fund will serve as a lasting memorial to an outspoken gun safety advocate and community leader. Its mission is to celebrate and commemorate Wales’ legacy while ensuring the organization he helped establish can remain an active and powerful voice for reducing gun violence for generations to come.

During the coming months, Ceasefire hopes to raise a minimum of $2 million for the Endowment. Funds will be used to further gun-safety education and awareness, as well as to support legislative efforts to reduce gun violence.

“Tom Wales was a tireless advocate for common-sense gun laws and an active participant in the community, and we have been deeply affected by the loss of this inspiring voice for change,” said Bruce Gryniewski, executive director of Washington Ceasefire. “Ceasefire is establishing the Tom Wales Endowment Fund as a lasting and personal tribute to a man who cared a great deal about educating our community and the nation on gun safety issues.”