FOLDS OF HONOR FACT SHEET
(August 2013)
· Folds of Honor is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with a mission to empower deserving military families with support and opportunities by providing educational scholarships to children and spouses of military service men and women killed or disabled while serving our great nation.
· There are more than one million dependents of fallen and wounded military service men and women from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts alone and 87 percent do not qualify for federal scholarship assistance (as of January 2012). The Folds of Honor Foundation wants to help ensure that no family is left behind in the field of battle, making sure that we honor their sacrifice and educate their legacy.
· Since its inception in 2007, Folds of Honor has raised more than $25 million and awarded more than 5,000 educational scholarships to the families of fallen or wounded soldiers.
· Patriot Golf Day is the primary fundraiser for the Folds of Honor Foundation and is hosted by PGA Professionals nationwide throughout the year with the majority taking placing over Labor Day weekend. Golfers are asked to donate at least $1 for each round of golf during Patriot Golf Day weekend, while non-golfers participate by making a donation to the foundation at its website at FoldsofHonor.org. More than 4,500 facilities registered to host 2012 Patriot Golf Day events throughout the year and thanks to PGA Professionals’ and USGA Members’ efforts, a record amount of more than $4.3 million was raised to benefit the Folds of Honor Foundation, bringing the six-year total to more than $17 million.
· Major Dan Rooney, a PGA Professional, USGA member and former F-16 military pilot with the Oklahoma Air National Guard, founded the Folds of Honor Foundation in 2007 following his second of three tours of duty in Iraq. While a passenger on a commercial flight, Major Rooney witnessed an event that would profoundly change his life. As the plane landed, the pilot announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, we have an American hero on board – Corporal Brock Bucklin - and his twin brother, Corporal Brad Bucklin, is accompanying him home from Iraq. As a sign of respect, please remain seated while Corporal Bucklin’s family receives him in his final homecoming.” Major Rooney watched through the window of the plane as the flag-draped casket was lowered. He saw a family waiting for Brock, and a little four-year old boy waiting for his father. This tragic homecoming inspired Major Rooney to create the Folds of Honor Foundation. That four-year old boy, Jacob Green, is the first recipient of a Folds of Honor scholarship.
· Mission partners of Folds of Honor include Anheuser-Busch, Budweiser, Titleist, Pinnacle, Fifth Third Bank, AHEAD Inc., Bushnell, Golf Channel, POLO Golf, Golf Pride, QuikTrip, The Christie Cookie Company, St. Andrews Products, Foot Joy, Bolle, Serengeti, Rocky Boots, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Academy of Country Music (ACM), CORT, and World Class Fireworks.
· Those applying for scholarships and individuals and companies interested in contributing to the Folds of Honor Foundation should visit FoldsofHonor.org.
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