Looking to give back to families who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country, the Folds of Honor Foundation (FHF) announced that it has awarded scholarships to more than 360 children and spouses of members of the military who have either been killed or injured while serving in the line of duty.
“For the second year now, we’re making dreams come true and we could not be happier to help honor our military families,” said Major Dan Rooney, the founder of the FHF. “In so many cases, these scholarships are a lifeline to a better future – one of prosperity and happiness for entire families. We are very proud to have played an integral role in the future of the citizens of our nation.”
The foundation, which has handed out 563 scholarships allowing children to attend college or vocational schools, was founded two years ago by Rooney, who had served three combat tours in Iraq as an F-16 pilot. According to its website, Rooney decided to begin the foundation after watching through a plane window as a son and his mother grieved as they were given the flag covered casket of his father, who had been killed in service in Iraq.
Rooney, who is also a golf course owner and a PGA professional, has also hosted Patriot Golf Day, a fundraising event for the foundation hosted with the help of the USGA. While the first tournament in 2007 raised more than $1 million, 2008’s tournament doubled its donations and brought it more than $2 million.
According to the foundation’s website, there are more than 90,000 spouses and dependent children of wounded or dead soldiers in need of help. With an average need of $53,514 per dependent in order to fund a four-year degree, the foundation still estimates that over $7 billion is needed to provide appropriate funding to all who need it.
