Rite Aid Foundation commits $6 million to Folds of Honor
CAMP HILL, Pa. - Over Memorial Day weekend, the Rite Aid Foundation KidCent's program announced a three-year, $6 million commitment to Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization based in Owasso, Okla., dedicated to providing educational scholarships to children of fallen or disabled service members.
The donation is the second made to Folds of Honor by The Rite Aid Foundation's KidCents program; it previously awarded more than $1.3 million to the organization in 2015 to support educational scholarships for children of fallen or disabled service members in the communities served by Rite Aid.
Ken Martindale, CEO of Rite Aid stores and president of Rite Aid Corporation, who also serves as president of The Rite Aid Foundation, announced the donation alongside Maj. Dan Rooney, Folds of Honor founder, during the Patriot Cup Invitational, the organization's annual golf tournament and gala celebrating the nation's heroes and raising funds for Folds of Honor.
"The Rite Aid Foundation's KidCents program is honored by the opportunity to deepen our support of this incredible organization and bring our company's core value of being a caring neighbor to life in such a meaningful way," Martindale said. "Working closely with Folds of Honor over the past year, we've seen firsthand the fantastic difference they're making in the lives of children of fallen and disabled service members. We've been touched by their stories of how Folds of Honor has forever changed their lives and couldn't help but be compelled to do more for them and their families who have already sacrificed so much."
"Since joining the Folds of Honor family last year, Rite Aid, its associates and customers have taken on our mission as their own and have partnered with us as we work tirelessly to honor the sacrifices made by our service men and women, their families and children," Rooney added. "We could not ask for a more dedicated partner and are so thankful for Rite Aid's continued generosity and commitment to ensuring the legacy of our service members live on by supporting the educational endeavors of their children."
Folds of Honor also announced a new initiative, DreamShip, designed to raise awareness and inspire people across the country to support the organization. The Rite Aid Foundation is supporting DreamShip in its inaugural launch, scheduled for later this year.
A fully operational hot air balloon, DreamShip will raise awareness about Folds of Honor while it travels the country, serving as a symbol of the commitment made by the organization, its partners and donors, to honor the nation's fallen and disabled service members and their families.
The fabric of the hot air balloon will showcase artwork created by Folds of Honor scholarship recipients symbolizing their hopes and dreams for the future. Standing eight stories tall, with every launch, DreamShip will lift up the dreams of children helped by Folds of Honor, both physically and metaphorically.