Helping Veterans' Achieve The Goal Of Receiving Higher Education
THE CHALLENGE CONTINUES: $1 MILLION PLEDGE TO MATCH EVERY DOLLAR DONATED TO THE VETERAN'S EDUCATION CHALLENGE
NEW YORK, Nov. 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- With the election results in and knowing that Donald Trump is President we must now turn our focus to developing important public policy. The veteran population is one in need of attention and assistance. These men and women have served our country loyally and need assistance upon their return home to reintegrate into a non-combat existence. One proven way to help them get back on their feet, to allow them to contribute to their families and society, is the offer of higher education.
Last year Avis and Bruce Richards launched the "Veterans' Education $1 Million Matching Challenge," hosted on the charitable fundraising website Crowdrise.com. The challenge seeks to supplement the tremendous work accomplished by the Post-9/11 GI Bill and help fund higher education among returning veterans. On Veterans Day this year Mr. and Mrs. Richards vow to continue the challenge. In an economy that is marked each passing year by even greater budget constraints, Veterans' education continues to need funding and support to improve for the sake of all our men and women who have served.
"Veterans Day is both important and necessary. On this day we pay tribute to those who have served our nation. Avis and I firmly believe that each and every one of us should do more to honor our veterans," said Bruce Richards, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner of Marathon Asset Management. "Because of this we have decided to continue the Veterans' Education $1 Million Matching Challenge which provides the men and women who have honorably served this country with both opportunity and encouragement to gain a college degree."
The GI Bill and other state initiatives make an indispensable contribution to the support of veterans and the development of both education and social spheres. However, by offering a limited financial benefit package, these programs restrict veterans in their choice of schools. They also often disregard the fact that veterans are a unique category of students who differ from their peers in many respects and for this reason may need more substantial assistance. The Richards donated $1,000,000 towards Veteran's Education to the University of Maryland. The first three scholarships that are a result of this donation will be awarded on November 12, 2016 to Jose Githens, Colton Treadway, and Charles Turner. Mr. Githens served in the military for eight years, Mr. Treadway for four, and Mr. Turner for six.
"Veterans often need financial assistance to pursue their undergraduate and graduate education. These men and women loyally defend our country and often go on to serve in both the public and private sectors. It is our duty to help them achieve their educational goals," said Avis Richards, Founder of Birds Nest Foundation. "It's my hope that the scholarships given to these impressive young men will transform their lives and the lives of their families. This is only the beginning of assisting many men and women who have served this country bravely"
Linda M. Clement, Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of Maryland added: "We are so incredibly grateful to Bruce and Avis for their strong commitment to student veterans at the University of Maryland. Their passion, advocacy and philanthropic support will transform the lives of so many UMD veteran students."
Veterans' Education $1 Million Matching Challenge is an initiative that will support tuition, room and board, and other related and allowable living expenses for veterans seeking higher education. All scholarships awarded under the program will be based on financial need with a priority and preference given to veterans in good standing during their years of service and at their respective universities.
To learn more about the Veterans' Education $1 Million Matching Challenge and contribute please visit: https://www.crowdrise.com/veteranseducationchallenge.
Birds Nest Foundation/Productions is a 501(c)3 non-profit creative group that travels the world to provide media content for non-profits, charities and NGOs. Birds Nest works with charitable organizations to produce high-quality documentaries, short videos and public service announcements (PSAs) that clearly communicate its message and promote activism and awareness. Birds Nest Foundation always remains within the budgetary limits of the non-profit world and regularly seeks out opportunities to aid charitable organizations that want their voices heard.
SOURCE Birds Nest Foundation/Productions
Share this article