Recent News and Updates from The Coast Guard Foundation
Category: News Release
Nov 12th, 2019 by Keith Worrall
Modified Nov 12th, 2019 at 11:04 AM
A Note from Coast Guard Foundation President Susan Ludwig
It was a busy summer for the United States Coast Guard, and it was a busy summer for the Coast Guard Foundation. Our 2019 scholarship recipients headed off to college, full of excitement for the fall semester, and ready to take on the challenges and opportunities that college offers.
Coast Guard Foundation Announces Scholarship Awards for the 2019-2020 Academic Year
The Coast Guard Foundation awarded 128 scholarships in 2019, totaling $354,000 in support. In the 29 years of the program, the Coast Guard Foundation has paid out more than $5.4 million to more than 1,100 college-aged young adults. For details about the scholarships, click here.
Our 2019 Graduating Class
This year we have over 40 young men and women graduating college thanks to the Coast Guard Foundation scholarship program. Three of this year’s graduates have written to share their gratitude for our support.
“I wish to express my most sincere gratitude because the scholarships I received made a huge impact on the past four years of my life and contributed to my success. Thank you to everyone involved in the Foundation for your generosity,” said Jessica, who graduated from the University of South Florida with a degree in Microbiology.
“Thank you for all the help I received during my time in school! The scholarship helped me in that I didn’t have to work, so I was able to put all of my attention on school. Not only that, I was able to graduate debt free,” said Gabrielle, who graduated from Flagler College with a degree in Elementary Education/Deaf Education.
“Thank you for the support it has helped immensely with the cost of my education. With your support I have been able to get that much closer to my goal of becoming an officer in the U.S. Coast Guard,” said Clayton, who graduated from the Maine Maritime Academy with a degree in Marine Engineering Technology. Read more link: https://coastguardfoundation.org/news/our-2019-graduating-class
Supporter Leaves a Lasting Legacy
Eleanor Gilford Buker, a long-time supporter of the Coast Guard Foundation, passed away this summer at the age of 99.
Mrs. Buker enlisted in the Coast Guard as a SPAR during World War II and served from 1943-1946. During her time in the Coast Guard, she served in the research department at headquarters in Washington, D.C. and was honorably discharged at the end of the war with the rank of Chief Petty Officer.
The Buker family supported the Coast Guard Foundation through an endowed scholarship fund for Coast Guard children enrolled in college and studying for their bachelor’s degree. The Coast Guard Foundation Eleanor Gilford Scholarship was awarded for the first time in 2019. Taylor Santti, the inaugural recipient of the award, is the daughter of retired Chief Petty Officer Norman Santti. She’s enrolled in her senior year at the University of New Hampshire, where she’s a double major in education and human development and family studies. Upon graduation, she plans to enroll in a master’s program in education, with the ultimate goal of being a kindergarten teacher.
Click here to read more about Buker’s incredible life: (https://coastguardfoundation.org/news/coast-guard-foundation-supporter-leaves-a-lasting-legacy)
Home To Heal: Foundation Sponsors Home Makeover For Coast Guard Family
In July, the Coast Guard Foundation received a letter from AFI 2019 Coast Guard Spouse of the Year Jessica Manfre informing us of her hope to collaborate with Moving With The Military, a show which celebrates military families with surprise home makeovers, to help a Coast Guard family in Florida.
The Coast Guard family sponsored for this project was the Coleman family. Petty Officer Bill Coleman, currently serving at Air Station Clearwater in Florida, is a Coast Guard member balancing his duties to the service, his two young daughters and his wife who is terminally ill with cancer.
In December 2015, Bill’s wife, Sarah, discovered she had a large tumor located in the frontal lobe of her brain. After undergoing successful surgery to remove it and beginning a long and difficult course of treatment there was hope for a path to remission. But after a year and a half it had returned and this time they discovered three new tumors in her brain. In June they received the news that Sarah’s cancer is terminal.
Throughout it all, Bill has continued to serve and take time off when possible to look after their two young daughters. We’re grateful for the Coleman family’s service to their community and our nation, and it’s our honor to give them a home to heal.
Click here to find out more about the Home Makeover by Moving With The Military: (https://coastguardfoundation.org/news/home-to-heal-foundation-sponsors-home-makeover-for-coast-guard-family)
