Draft:Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund
The Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund is a charitable organization co-founded in 2014 by U.S. military veterans. Founders included Atlanta Falcons CEO Steve Cannon, who participated "in honor of his brother, also a West Point graduate, who took his own life while battling post traumatic stress disorder".[1] As of 2019[update], the fund was described as having "helped over 1,500 military children with scholarships totaling $12 million", and was set to award "over $4 million in scholarships in 2019".[1] By 2020, it was reported as having "awarded over $16 million in college scholarships and education programs, funding over 2,000 students.[2]
In 2015, Black-ish star Anthony Anderson hosted the organization's inaugural gala celebration, "raising $1.4 million toward college scholarships for veterans and their families".[3]
In 2020, fire-service vehicle manufacturer Rosenbauer donated the purchase price of 24,000 N95 masks to the organization.[2]
The Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund, another cause he's walking for, began as a small effort by a group to help the family of a fallen 1986 West Point classmate. It transformed into a mission to help as many military families as possible.
According to its website, Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund was created in 2014 "to give back to those who gave — especially to those who gave their all, like Johnny Mac ... symbolic of all who have served and sacrificed."
Since 2014, the fund has awarded $25 million in scholarships to veterans and military family members. There are 3,500 Johnny Mac Scholars attending schools in the U.S.[4]
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By the end of its first year, the fund made its first grant, of $50,000... The fund had raised $3 million by the end of 2015 and held its first gala, in Houston, with the Army Chief of Staff, Ray Odierno. The Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund now has awarded over $20 million in scholarships to veterans and military family members, especially children of the fallen or disabled. There are now 3,000 Johnny Mac Scholars attending schools all over the country.[5]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Birchfield, Evan (November 5, 2019). "Falcons CEO Steve Cannon named 'Salute to Service' nominee". The Falcoholic.
- ^ a b "Rosenbauer America donating 24,000 N95 facemasks", Fremont Tribune (May 23, 2020), p. A3.
- ^ Elliott, Amber (April 14, 2015). ""Black-ish" star emcees military gala, raises $1.4 million". Houston Chronicle.
- ^ Brock, Chris (April 28, 2022). "New York Army veteran walks across the US to raise funds for 3 nonprofits". Stars and Stripes.
- ^ Lara, Paul (October 9, 2021). "Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund: Honoring the fallen one scholarship at a time". insidenova.com.
External links[edit]
This open draft remains in progress as of July 5, 2023.