SUPPORTING OUR TROOPS THROUGH
THE SPECIAL OPERATIONS WARRIOR FOUNDATION

HostingAmerica.com Donates 100% of The First Month Revenue On All Annual Hosting Plans:
HostingAmerica.com and our customers support our soldiers. One way that we can demonstrate that support is by supporting The Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF). http://www.specialops.org. The Special Operations Warrior Foundation is a wonderful organization whose mission is to support our soldiers and their families when they need us the most.

How to Help:
When you sign up for an annual hosting plan, HostingAmerica.com will donate 100% of the first month's revenue in your name to the The Special Operations Warrior Foundation. It's simple and easy. You can also donate directly to the foundation at their website, http://www.specialops.org.

Who You're Helping:
It takes a Special kind of "quiet professional" to meet the exacting standards of America's Special Operations Forces. As the war on terrorism continues to unfold, Special Operations Forces will be facing new challenges all too frequently. In fact, there has never been a greater need for Special Operations Forces than right now - and Special Operations Forces will continue to be the force of choice time and time again during this tumultuous period.

Special Operations personnel are conducting more missions, in more places, and under a broader range of conditions than ever before. These missions entail high operational tempos, heavy and unpredictable deployment schedules, personal hardships and, by their very nature, inordinate casualties both in operations and training. Unfortunately these casualties occur at an early age, at the beginning of their careers, thus leaving behind families who have yet to accumulate the resources to provide for their surviving children's college education.

The Special Operations Warrior Foundation strives to relieve Special Operations personnel of the one concern, their families, that might distract them from peak performance when they need to be - and when America needs them to be - at their very best.

Today, more than 700 such deserving children exist who should not be denied the education their fallen parent would surely have wanted for them. With nearly 100 children eligible each year for college in the upcoming years, the Foundation's estimated financial need through 2018 is $60 million.

MISSION
The Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF) was founded in 1980 to serve members of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps Special Operations community. A tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, SOWF is dedicated to providing free college scholarships and educational counseling to the children surviving Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps Special Operations personnel who are killed in a training accident or operational mission. These services are provided throughout the United States, or overseas, depending upon where the surviving children reside.

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

Education Scholarships and Counseling Support
The Special Operations Warrior Foundation provides free college scholarship grants for tuition, books, fees, room & board. Currently the foundation is committed to providing scholarships for more nearly 700 children. In 2006, SOWF provided a total of $1.5 million in scholarship grants, educational programs and financial counseling for its students at colleges and universities across the country.

The family and financial aid counseling continues for these children until they have graduated from college. Many of the students eligible for the Warrior Foundation grants are also eligible for grants from other military related organizations. The Warrior Foundation has established liaisons with many other organizations and coordinates the grants for the students in our program. Thus, while the total cost of 100 students in college would be an estimated $1.5 million, the Warrior Foundation leverages the cost and, in some cases, is able to identify 50% of the requirements from the combination of several other outside grants. However, the Warrior Foundation is prepared to provide full funding for the educational programs if other sources are unavailable. This unique program allows the Foundation to provide funds required for each student's needs while also investing funds for the needs of the students who will attend post-secondary schools in the future.

Wounded Warrior Support
The Special Operations Warrior Foundation, in cooperation with the U. S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), is part of a united effort to address the needs of special operations personnel severely wounded in the global war on terrorism. To this end, the Foundation has joined a coalition of non-profit organizations dedicated to assisting the wounded. The Warrior Foundation coordinates with USSOCOM to ensure all of the needs of the wounded special operations personnel are met including providing $2,000 to meet immediate needs their families face when severely wounded special operations personnel are hospitalized from wounds suffered in combat.

TESTIMONIALS

From Children of Fallen Warriors

"I knew the people from the Special Operations Warrior Foundation were always in my corner ready to help." Dr. Jim Lewis, the son of Captain Hal Lewis who was killed in Operation Desert One in Iran.

"I would not be where I am today without SOWF. I truly believe SOWF goes beyond the call of duty." Benjamin Barnard, the son of Staff Sergeant Larry Barnard who was killed in Operation Just Cause in Panama.

"I was struggling financially, so the Foundation has been a life saver. I am very thankful that I have secured assistance not just financially, but personally." Jill Jenson Robinson, the daughter of Captain Randy Jensen who died in an aircraft accident in 1981.

"I want to thank all the people associated with the Warrior Foundation. All of your sincere encouragement and letters have made me feel like part of a family. My most sincere thanks to you for helping me with the financial obligations while attending the University of East Carolina." Heather Hurley, the daughter of Sergeant Major Patrick R. Hurley who was killed in Operation Desert Storm in 1991.

"The Special Operations Warrior Foundation has been helpful by being there as a friend in a time of need." Keith O. Reinhard, the son of Major Kenneth Reinhard who died in an aircraft accident in 1987.

From the Widowed Spouses

"The outreach of the Warrior Foundation to my children has been fantastic. I think it's reassuring for them to know they are not alone - that there are other children with similar circumstances, and there are caring adults who are willing to do so much on their behalf. They're very proud of their father, and the Warrior Foundation makes them realize that they have not been forgotten." Anita Goetz, the widow of Captain Randi Horstman who died during a training mission.

"In October 1993, my life and my family's future dreams were shattered with notification that my husband was killed in Mogadishu, Somalia. In 1996 I was contacted by the Warrior Foundation with a generous offer for counseling and scholarship assistance for my two sons. I thought it was too good to be true. Your generous contributions will allow for my sons to fulfill the educational dreams that Matt and I had planned for them." Trish Rierson, the widow of Sergeant First Class Matthew Rierson who was killed in Somalia, October 1993.

"If it wasn't for this organization, the dream of college for my son might not have been realized. My husband lost his life for his country, but thanks to the Warrior Foundation, a dream is fulfilled. A good education was the primary goal of my husband for his children. Thanks, Warrior Foundation." Terry Buege, the widow of Senior Master Sergeant Paul Buege who was killed during the Battle of Khafi, January 1991.

From the Troops

"In the process of coordinating benefits for the family [as the Casualty Assistance Calls Officer] ...I told [the widow] about the SOWF college scholarship program for her three children. It is hard to describe the play of emotion that crossed her face. Doubt and questioning grew to gratitude as she realized that her children's education would be fully funded. Obviously, this does not replace the loss of her husband, but it was very comforting for her to know that a huge financial burden was lifted from her. I know that I will be contributing to your worthy institution." Commander B.J. Keepers, Special Operations Command South

"Please keep up the terrific work on the SOWF Warrior Foundation. It helps us all to do our job better to know our families are taken care of." Captain William McRaven, Naval Special Warfare Group One

 

ORGANIZATION
The SOWF is governed by a Board of Directors (up to 25 members), which consults with the Board of Advisors. The Board of Directors has four standing committees: Executive, Development, Audit & Finance, and Governance. The SOWF office is located four miles from MacDill AFB, the home of the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). The Foundation has eight full-time salaried employees: The President/CEO, the Executive Director, Public Relations Director, Family Services Director, Financial Aid Director and three Assistants.

CHALLENGES
The Special Operations Warrior Foundation strives to relieve SOWF personnel of the one concern, their families, which might distract them when they need to be-and when America needs them to be-at their very best. Since 1980, more than 500 Special Operations personnel have given their lives on operational missions or during intense training programs. Nearly 700 children survive these oft-unsung heroes.

FUND RAISING
The Special Operations Warrior Foundation obtains its funding primarily from private citizens, corporations, and participation in the Combined Federal Campaign and State Campaigns in Florida, North Carolina, Washington, Texas, California, Maryland, and Virginia. The Warrior Foundation participated in 15 fund raising events in 2005. In 2005 the Combined Federal Campaign donations totaled $934,000 bringing the total revenue to $6.7 million. With some 100 students eligible for college each year through 2018, the Foundation's estimated financial need is $60 million.

The Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF) was founded in 1980 to serve members of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps Special Operations community. A tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, SOWF is dedicated to providing free college scholarships and educational counseling to the children surviving Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps Special Operations personnel who are killed in a training accident or operational mission. These services are provided throughout the United States, or overseas, depending upon where the surviving children reside.

Information Updated: 15 June 2007 All information provided by The Special Operations Warrior Foundation which is soley responsible for its content.