Folds of Honor North Texas 2021 Gala Kick-Off Party

The annual kickoff party fueled patriotism for the Folds of Honor mission

(Featured photo: 2019 and 2020 Honorary Chairs: Chris Thomas, Mike Sweet, Joe Eastin and Marc Sachs.)*

The 2021 North Texas Folds of Honor Gala kick-off party was an evening of patriotism fueled by personal testimonials, camaraderie, and passion, along with a live performance by country artist Stoney LaRue. Guests enjoyed cocktails and conversation and learned more about The Folds of Honor mission and the legacies they have bestowed.

Offering a break from the recent rain, Monica and Joe Eastin‘s home was the perfect spot on Thursday, May 27, to kick off the 2021 Folds of Honor North Texas Gala. The evening began with a social hour filled with libations sponsored by Ben E. Keith Beverage, Balcones Distilling, Loyalty Liquors and Live to Give, where guests enjoyed the beautiful indoor-outdoor space filled with red, white, and blue details and delicious trays of canapés from Spice of Life Catering. From radiant red and white flowers and festive centerpieces to the guest’s red, white and blue attire and captivating performance by Stoney LaRue, patriotism filled the room. Hosts Monica and Joe Eastin greeted and welcomed guests, while Honorary Chairs Cintia and Johnny Powers mixed and mingled with guests.

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Once everyone made their way outside, Joe and Monica Eastin welcomed and thanked everyone for their support for an organization that sits close to their hearts. Eastin then introduced Regional Development Officer Sarah Duncan, who is also the daughter of a fallen hero and a scholarship recipient, to share a very special heartfelt presentation. After thanking everyone for their generosity and support through this past year, Duncan shared her personal experience with Folds of Honor and how the organization supported her family when they lost her father and hero, Captain Denis Michael White. She introduced the Folds of Honor mission and why their support is necessary to help families of disabled and deceased military members.

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.

Now 14 years later, the Folds of Honor has continued to carry forth this singular, noble mission: To provide educational scholarships to spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service-members. Folds of Honor proudly gives back 90% of funds raised to their mission. Their educational scholarships support private education tuition and tutoring for children in grades K-12 and higher education tuition assistance for spouses and dependents. Folds of Honor is proud to have awarded approximately 29,000 scholarships in all 50 states and some US territories, including over 4,500 in 2020 alone.

After Sarah Duncan completed her moving speech, Laura and Chris Thomason and Paige and Marc Sachs were invited to the stage and presented with World War II handmade bomber jackets, expressing heartfelt thanks for their hard work and support of Folds of Honor this past year. Details of the upcoming Folds of Honor North Texas Gala were shared with attendees to close out the evening.

The annual Folds of Honor North Texas Gala will be held  Saturday, November 13th, on the field at AT&T Stadium. Cintia and Johnny Powers are the Honorary Chairs and 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.

Sponsors:

Monica and Joe Eastin, Ben E. Keith Beverage, Balcones Distilling, Live to Give, Loyalty Liquors.

For more information, visit the website at www.fohevents.org/2021gala or contact Sarah Duncan, Regional Development Officer at sduncan@foldsofhonor.org, or Meredith Allen, Associate Regional Development Officer at mallen@foldsofhonor.org

ABOUT FOLDS OF HONOR:
Since 2007, the Folds of Honor has carried forth this singular, noble mission. To provide educational scholarships to spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service-members. Folds of Honor is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization, rated a four-star charity by Charity Navigator and platinum on Guide Star, that provides educational scholarships to the families of military men and women who have fallen or been disabled while on active duty in the United States armed forces. Folds of Honor proudly gives back 90% of funds raised to their mission. Their educational scholarships support private educational tuition and tutoring for children in grades K-12, as well as higher education tuition assistance for spouses and dependents. Founded in 2007 by Lieutenant Colonel Dan Rooney, a PGA Professional and F-16 fighter pilot in the Air Force Reserves who served three tours of duty in Iraq, Folds of Honor is proud to have awarded approximately 29,000 scholarships in all 50 states and some US territories, including over 4,500 in 2020 alone. 

*Photos courtesy Folds of Honor.

(This Charity Lifestyles Scene is courtesy Folds of Honor.)