Folds of Honor Kicks-Off The Nov. 12, 2022 Gala with a Patriotic Celebration Hosted by Monica and Joe Eastin
(Featured photos: Monica and Joe Eastin. Regional Development Officers Sarah Duncan and Meredith Connally.)
Folds of Honor North Texas kicked-off its 2022 gala with a celebration hosted by Monica and Joe Eastin in their lovely Preston Hollow home. It was an evening of vibrant and lively conversation in support of Folds of Honor and its mission to provide educational scholarships to the spouses and children of military members who have fallen or been disabled while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
Guests were welcomed by a festive red, white and blue party table full of take-home favors, balloons and more, which set the scene for a fun event and echoed the patriotic theme throughout the home. Servers enticed everyone with hearty Tex-Mex hors d’oeuvres as cocktails were served in the outside verandah, open to the fresh breezes of spring as live music serenaded in the background.
Sarah Duncan, Regional Development Officer, Folds of Honor, welcomed guests and introduced the guest of honor and speaker, Michael Lammy. Michael gave an inspired and emotional presentation, speaking about his personal journey from being stationed in Guam as a member of the United States Navy where he met his wife and began a family. After a horrific accident, he was unable to continue his service. He turned to Folds of Honor to assist in securing an education for his children. Not only did Folds of Honor provide full scholarships for his wife and two daughters to complete college, his third daughter starts Texas Tech in the fall, thanks to a Folds of Honor scholarship, as well. He said that the gift of education is one that never ends and without the help from FOH, his family would not have been able to afford the education they now treasure. It has truly made a difference in their lives now and certainly in the future.
After a rousing round of standing applause, Sarah shared her story as the daughter of a fallen hero and scholarship recipient. She said that after losing her father, Captain Dennis Michael White, Folds of Honor stepped in with a scholarship, which allowed her to attend Auburn. She graduated in 2011. She said that opportunity has made her who she is today. Both stories brought to life the meaning of the nonprofit’s mission and how the crucial funding for Folds of Honor scholarships directly benefits the families of disabled and deceased military members.
She said last year’s event brought in just under $2 million and the goal is for even more support this year, encouraging everyone to join in the annual gala happening on Saturday, November 12th on the field of AT&T Stadium. The evening will bring together military families, veterans, scholarship recipients, and members of the North Texas community in an event of celebration that includes dinner, an auction, live entertainment by Emerald City, and fellowship. The money raised is used to provide educational scholarships to the nation’s most deserving families, the ones that sacrifice to protect our freedoms.
Meredith Connally is also a Regional Development Officer. The gala’s chairs and honorary chairs were announced at the Announcement Party hosted by Honorary Chairs Marilyn and Mike Berry and Molly and Rusty Reid at the Reid’s lovely Fort Worth home (photo below.)
Folds of Honor is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of military members who have fallen or been disabled while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
Its educational scholarships support private school tuition or tutoring in grades K-12, tuition for college, technical or trade school and post-graduate work, including a master’s degree, doctorate, or professional program. Funds for a second bachelor’s degree or trade/technical program certification are also available.
Since its inception in 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded over 35,000 scholarships totaling more than $160 million in all 50 states. Among the students served, 41 percent are minorities. It is rated a four-star charity by Charity Navigator and Platinum on GuideStar, with 91 cents of every dollar donated going directly to scholarships.
Folds of Honor was founded as a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization in 2007 by Lieutenant Colonel Dan Rooney, a PGA Member and F-16 fighter pilot currently stationed at Eglin AFB Florida as a member of 301st Fighter Squadron and served three tours of duty in Iraq. As he returned home from his second tour of duty in Iraq on a domestic flight, the airline pilot announced they were carrying the remains of a fallen soldier, asking passengers to respectfully remain seated while the casket deboarded. He watched as the family of the deceased walked somberly alongside the flag-covered casket. Among them was the young son of the fallen Corporal. Seeing the other side of the war through the eyes of this fallen soldier’s child was life-altering. He decided he had to do something to pay tribute to American service members and their families, and thus, Folds of Honor was born.
For more information or to donate in support of a Folds of Honor scholarship visit https://northtexas.foldsofhonor.org/
*Photos by Danny Campbell.
(Sharon Adams, Adams Communications Public Relations, is honored to represent Folds of Honor and post this Philanthropy Lifestyles Scene.)
