The Starved Rock Country Community Foundation is honored to announce the establishment of the Support Our Soldiers Field of Interest Fund. The idea for the fund, born by Scott Underwood, a co-chairman of the Flags of Freedom organization in Princeton, resulted from a discussion about offering a “scholarship” to graduating high school students entering the military rather than a college or university. As key leaders of Flags of Freedom, Rodney and Terry Johnson, also of Princeton, turned to the SRCCF to develop Scott’s idea and create the Support Our Soldiers Fund. The Foundation has held the Flags of Freedom fund for more than nine years. Terry Johnson is also a Group Leader of the Illinois Valley Quilts of Valor and has delivered more than one thousand quilts to Veterans in the past eight years.
As the idea developed with the SRCCF, the military recruiting office located in the Peru Mall was contacted for information regarding what expenses, if any, a military recruit incurs prior to the departure date. “Our assumption was that the military supplies everything and that there are no expenses to a new recruit”, said Pamela Beckett of the SRCCF. “We learned that recruits receive a “packing list” just prior to leaving with required items to purchase, totaling $150-$200” That’s all Rodney and Terry needed to hear and the Support of Soldiers Fund was established.
Financial support will initially be available to all five high schools in Bureau County with the assistance of the schools’ guidance office staff. “The five counselors from Princeton, Bureau Valley, Hall, and Lamoille High Schools along with St. Bede Academy, are excited about this opportunity to provide funding to the recruits who will serve our country,” said Pamela. “We have also arranged for the recruits to be recognized at their school’s Commencement and/or Scholarship Award events alongside those students being recognized for academic achievement”.
“We are so grateful for the relationship we have developed over the years with the Foundation. The Flags of Freedom Fund has flourished and now we are working with the SRCCF again to launch this unique opportunity to honor our youth who have chosen to enlist in our armed forces,” said Terry Johnson.
While funding opportunities are initially being limited to students in Bureau County, the Johnson’s welcome it’s growth to the other high schools in Starved Rock Country. “All it takes is a donation to the SOS Fund to keep this fund going and growing,” said Rodney Johnson. Terry and I chose to provide the initial donation and the excitement about this opportunity for our recruits is already contagious!”
