Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation Celebrates Hug a GI Day

Send a Virtual Hug to Gold Star Children Who Don't Have Their Parent to Hug Anymore

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Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation

Mar 04, 2016, 01:14 ET

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., March 4, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of Hug a GI Day today, Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation, (Fallen Patriots), a nonprofit that provides educational counseling and college scholarships for military children who've lost a parent in the line of duty, is collecting "virtual hugs" in the form of donations. Over 97% of those killed in action are men, leaving mothers, who earn on average less than $50,000 per year, with the financial responsibilities of raising a family. Donors can text "College" to 31996 to make a contribution.

Fallen Patriots has identified over 6,000 students who qualify for financial assistance, and they have helped over 600 scholars attend and graduate from some of the top universities in the country. However, there's approximately 14,000 more children that could use Fallen Patriots help, if they only knew about them.

For some, Hug a GI Day is a celebration of their loved soldier being home from deployment. For others, it is a time to celebrate soldiers who have sacrificed their safety for our protection. Gold Star military children have endured the ultimate sacrifice, not having a parent to hug.

Fallen Patriot scholar Brandi Anderson was only seven when her dad, Michael Charles Anderson, was killed by a mortar launched at his camp in Iraq.

"I miss my dad most when I go to a wedding, imagine getting married and not having my dad walk me down the aisle to give me away," explained Anderson. "It's times like these that his death becomes more prevalent to me and I understand to a fuller degree just what missing him is."

Brandi Anderson has a collection of hugs with her dad through the memories she holds in photographs. Though ordinary to most, she no longer has her dad to hug. His memory stays alive in her heart. Fallen Patriots is asking for followers to send virtual hugs to students like Brandi, by making a small donation.

About Fallen Patriots

Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation honors the sacrifices of military heroes by ensuring the success of their children through college education. Since 2002, Children of Fallen Patriots has provided more than $10 million in total assistance.