According to Mr. Webster, the definition of heritage is: Something that is passed down from preceding generations; a tradition.

The RV/MH Heritage Foundation held it's annual Hall of Fame dinner at the Matterhorn Restaurant in August. Once again it was a gala party with industry newcomers and veterans rubbing elbows and swapping stories throughout the evening's festivities.

The RV News team was well represented to see Dan Holt, founder and publisher of the best read industry trade publication, be inducted with the Class of 2001 -- an honor he richly deserves and sincerely appreciates.

But Dan is not the reason or the point of this editorial.

The Foundation had a difficult year. Significant cut backs in annual support forced a reduction in the staff and fund-raising became a difficult task during the past year.

Many of the Hall of Fame inductees spoke of the industry's heritage and what it meant to them, as they were welcomed to the hallowed halls of the current building on Benham Avenue, in downtown Elkhart, Indiana.

As most people know, the RV/MH Heritage Foundation has already received pledges that total $5.5 million dollars -- still shy of the $7 million they would like to have pledged before the shovel goes into the ground.

Many industry leaders have fully supported the efforts to build the new building, but others have been reluctant to step forward and make their contributions to preserve the history and heritage that has fueled the success of the RV/MH industries.

Although the past year has been a challenge for many in the industry, we still have an industry and should step up and support the efforts by everyone to showcase what we have to more people and more companies. The new museum and foundation building will do just that. But it needs that extra boost to get it over the top and move the bulldozers on to the property.

Donations dwindled to $102,850 this year. This is a multi-billion dollar industry and despite Carl Ehry's pleas, he came home with just over $100,000 in his personal quest to make the industries' dreams a reality.

We have companies in this industry that could write the final check for $1 or $2 million dollars and still record profits for the year.

We have companies in this industry that could donate "something," but have chosen to donate "nothing."

One of the largest multi-million dollar companies (that's $500 to $600 million in revenue) in our industry donated only $250 dollars this year.

The Hall of Fame inductees each made a case to preserve the heritage and pleaded with those in attendance to support the fund-raising drive that will preserve history and tradition, and continue to recognize those who paved the way for your future success and profits in the RV industry.

We are better than this as an industry. The hard work and perseverance of people like John Crean, John Hanson, Art Rouse and Dan Holt, along with countless others deserves a new home. We should reach deeper and more often to recognize what we have and make sure we have it forever.

If we don't invest in our heritage now, what will the future hold for us?

The industry deserves a new museum, a new library to house the growing collection of important pieces of our history, and a new venue to display the heritage that is ours. We want to show the history that built an industry and make a promise to keep the dreams and aspirations of those who will follow us alive.

You have worked too hard to risk it all at this point. Invest in this worthwhile project. Invest in your future. Invest and protect the heritage that is ours and put this foundation on a solid financial platform to grow and prosper as you grow and prosper.

What does the future hold if you don't invest in the effort to preserve your industry's future?

Special thanks to the many companies and individuals who have provided the endowment gifts and pledges to get the foundation so close to their goal. Don't let it slip away when it is in sight.

Don't let your heritage be lost forever.