On Saturday, November 15 a check for $32,000 was presented to Freedom Alliance during the BYU vs. Air Force Academy football game. The donation was made by a generous Falcons football fan who is donating $1,000 to Freedom Alliance for every touchdown scored by the Air Force Academy in the 2008 season to benefit the organization’s Scholarship Fund and Support Our Troops programs. Freedom Alliance is an organization committed to honoring the service of our men and women in uniform.
“We are very grateful to our generous supporter,” stated Freedom Alliance President Tom Kilgannon. “I thank him for showing his commitment to our military heroes and I thank the Falcons football team for a great season.”
In between the 1st and 2nd quarter, Vicky Skalko of the Armed Forces Bank made the presentation on behalf of the donor, who requested anonymity, to Tom Kilgannon. Joining them were U.S. Air Force Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. John Regni and two Freedom Alliance scholarship recipients – Joe Rodriguez and Nicole Nunez.
Last year, a similar pledge resulted in a $48,000 contribution to Freedom Alliance. The $32,000 donation reflects the 32 touchdowns scored by the Falcons entering the game versus BYU. The final amount donated to Freedom Alliance will reflect the total number of touchdowns scored at the end of the year.
Over the years, the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund has provided hundreds of college scholarships to students, awarding $2.5 million to the sons and daughters of U.S. service members who have been killed or permanently disabled in an operational mission or training accident. Additionally, any student who meets the scholarship requirements is eligible for a full tuition scholarship at Colorado Technical University. Last year, CTU President Greg Mitchell announced that $1,000,000 in scholarships is available for the sons and daughters of military heroes.
The Support Our Troops Program honors members of our Armed Forces – those who have been wounded in combat and are recuperating at military hospitals throughout the United States – as well as those currently serving on the frontlines. Freedom Alliance accomplishes these goals through visits to military hospitals, Troop Appreciation Dinners and other appreciation events, grants for wounded troops, and Gifts from Home care packages to soldiers stationed overseas. Freedom Alliance has hosted dozens of Troop Appreciation Dinners this year including one for wounded troops at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs.
