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Pictured left to right, KPMG Partner and ThanksUSA Board Member Patty St. George, ThanksUSA Chairman & CEO Bob Okun, ThanksUSA scholar Jennifer Benecke with her husband Chief Petty Officer George Benecke, their son Dominick, and friend George Brennan

ThanksUSA Celebrates Ten-Year Anniversary at Treasure Our Troops GalaNearly 250 supporters attended the annual Treasure Our Troops Gala on October 6th that featured honorees General Norton A. Schwartz, USAF (Ret.), 19th Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and Gala Underwriter USA Funds, along with emcee Jim Handly and keynote speaker Admiral Michelle Howard, Vice-Chief of Naval Opera-tions and the first African-American woman to achieve the rank of admiral.

Mrs. Sheila Casey, spouse of the 36th Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, and Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) introduced the nine ThanksUSA scholars in atten-dance, including NC’s Michael Atkins who represented his fellow scholarship recipients in speaking of their experi-ences growing up in a military family.

ThanksUSA co-founder Kelsi Okun brought an emotional end to the night when she surprised her child-hood neighbor Allie Ward—daughter of Col. Lanier Ward, the original inspiration behind ThanksUSA—with an honorarium scholarship award.

Thank you to our generous sponsors and to the donors who helped us sur-pass our Gala Challenge goal of raising funds for ten more scholarships that night. We are proud that ThanksUSA continues to impact the lives of mili-tary families with the gift of education.

FALL 2015

WHAT’S HAPPENINGThanksUSA Receives Nationals “Spirit Award”ThanksUSA received the Washington Nationals Spirit Award at Nationals Park on September 18, National Air Force Day in the U.S. The award rec-ognizes accomplishments that reflect the Nationals’ spirit of giving and com-munity. Game-night attendance and additional contributions by employees of financial services firm KPMG and its supporting company teammates resulted in a contribution of $15,000 to ThanksUSA’s scholarship fund.

“The KPMG family is honored to help our military families through the gift of education,” said KPMG Partner and ThanksUSA Board Member Patty St. George. “Our servicemen and women put their lives on the line every day. This is our way of showing gratitude.”

ThanksUSA scholarship recipient Jen-nifer Benecke was present during the event, along with Navy husband Chief Petty Officer George Benecke, their son Dominick, and his friend George Brennan. The special occasion fea-tured the debut of ThanksUSA’s new public service announcement on Nats HD. Dominick Benecke and George Brennan also held the finish-line tape for the famed Presidents Race.

Scholarship Program Highlights

• Nearly 3,700 scholarships awarded for a total value of over $11 million

• Our scholarship recipients come from each of the 50 states and D.C.

• Recipients represent all military branches including the National Guard and Reserves

• In 2015 alone, 2,400 applications (average GPA of 3.4) received, and 257 scholarships awarded

ThanksUSA Among D.C. Region’s Best CharitiesThanksUSA has been chosen for the Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington Class of 2015-16, as one of the region’s best community- based charities. This award recog-nizes ThanksUSA’s effectiveness and success in working to provide need-based scholarships to children and spouses of military families.

ThanksUSA was selected for the 13th annual Catalogue for Philanthropy which has connected caring citizens with worthy community causes and raised more than $28 million for fea-tured nonprofits since 2003.

www.cfp-dc.org

Pictured left to right, Senator Thom Tillis; Mrs. Sheila Casey; and ThanksUSA scholars Zain Shah, Kinza Shah, Sabrina Shah, Jinah Kim, James Green, Charlotte Orren, Michael Atkins, Christine Nussio, and Regan McAllister

Do you have appreciated stock you want to donate? Please email

MicheleStork@ThanksUSA.org or visit www.ThanksUSA.org/donation-options.

DONATE STOCK

KALLI JERMYN Current Scholar

Kalli Jermyn was awarded a $3,000 Blavatnik Family Foundation/ThanksUSA scholarship to continue her music therapy studies at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. As the daughter of a Navy Reservist, Kalli has dealt with separation many times during her life. She often sang or played the guitar to cope with the loss she was feeling.

“My father is my biggest fan and when he would deploy, I felt like a piece of me was missing. The sadness I felt gave me the drive to work harder and do my best. I fully intend to make a difference in the world, through music, which has always been an important part of my life,” Kalli said.

Kalli is learning how to use her talents to help others through difficult times. She volunteers as a music therapist at Project New Hope Retreats and Chelsea Soldier’s Home and is in the process of developing a music therapy internship program at Walter Reed National Military Medical Hospital.

“This scholarship has allowed me to con-tinue my education and my path towards fulfilling my dream of becoming a music therapist. Once I become licensed, I plan on working with veterans, psychiatric patients, or children in special education. My family and I greatly appreciate your support.”

“Because of this program, I have been able to continue my education with a better focus on my academics and growth as an individual.” U.S. Army Dependent Elizabeth Bonney

Scholarships Awarded By State Since 2006

27 AK

97 AL

35 AR

58 AZ

187 CA

84 CO

21 CT

4 DC

11 DE

233 FL

160 GA

7 GU

56 HI

22 IA

26 ID

68 IL

25 IN

74 KS

86 KY

43 LA

38 MA

112 MD

12 ME

31 MI

42 MN

76 MO

54 MS

25 MT

254 NC

23 ND

41 NE

6 NH

32 NJ

25 NM

16 NV

105 NY

98 OH

84 OK

23 OR

51 PA

1 PR

14 RI

93 SC

34 SD

86 TN

291 TX

43 UT

305 VA

3 VT

139 WA

40 WI

11 WV

12 WY

2 AA

51 AE

23 AP

21 APO

2015 Events RecapThanksUSA’s Annual Charity Golf Tournament, underwritten by Intelli-gent Decisions, featured a day of VIP golf on May 11th at Creighton Farms Golf Club in Aldie, VA.

The fourth annual Jackson Casey Memorial Golf Tournament, which raises funds for military dependents in Jackson’s name, was held on July 13th at the Belle Haven Country Club in Alexandria, VA.

Red Cloud Food Services’ Heartland 4 Heroes Golf Tournament on July 27th at the Governors Club in Brentwood, TN, benefited spouses and children of those serving at Fort Campbell, KY, and other Heartland States.

At the Trump National Charity Tennis Pro-Am, underwritten by Intelligent Decisions Global Procurement (IDGP) on July 30-31, tennis pros joined local amateurs to support ThanksUSA in Trump National’s new indoor tennis center in Potomac Falls, VA.

ThanksUSA honored Senator Dan Sullivan and military families at the Senator Stevens and Senator Inouye Memorial Scholarship Luncheon on September 10th in Washington, DC.

ThanksUSA’s Charity Tennis Pro-Am took place on October 12th at the Army Navy Country Club in Arling-ton, VA, and featured a clinic with Wilander on Wheels.

Thank you to our generous event sponsors and supporters! Proceeds from these events support our mission of providing scholarships to military families. Please check our website for 2016 event dates.

VIEW OUR 10TH ANNIVERSARY PSA HERE: www.ThanksUSA.org/psa-videos

Treasure Hunt Update The ThanksUSA team will not be releasing a Treasure Hunt this year. Instead, we will be focusing entirely on providing scholarships to the spouses and children of military families. Our sincerest appreciation to The ESA Foundation for seven years of sponsorship! Thank you to the hundreds of individuals, families and classrooms that have partici-pated in our annual Treasure Hunt. And of course a big thank you to our resourceful and enthusiastic volun-teers, including LCDR Timothy Castle, USCG (Ret.), Carolyn Ferek, Douglas R. Fink, Frank Gregorsky, Koch Family, Okun Family, Tom Thompson, and our one and only mascot Miles the Beagle.

MICHAEL ATKINS Alumni Scholar

Air Force dependent Michael Atkins spoke on behalf of ThanksUSA scholars at our 2015 Treasure Our Troops Gala.

“As a third-year student at Campbell Law School in Raleigh, NC, I am proud to stand alongside a group of ThanksUSA recipients who represent the very best of what military families across this great nation have to offer,” said Michael.

Michael received $9,000 in ThanksUSA scholarships for his undergraduate stud-ies at North Carolina State University. A student of the prestigious Thomas Jefferson Scholars Program, Michael graduated in 2013 earning degrees in political science and sociology.

In 2013, he was accepted to the Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law at Camp-bell University. He is currently a research assistant, Student Bar representative, and president of Lambda Law. He has been a member of the Moot Court Team and interned with the North Carolina Depart-ment of Justice and GoTriangle. Michael plans to pursue a career in corporate law.

“It is because of the bravery of the spous-es and children of these soldiers that the soldiers are able to do the things they do for our country. And it is because of their sacrifices that those things should be recognized, and ThanksUSA is doing that for military dependents like myself.”

DEGREE® Celebrates Stephen Curry’s 2014-15 NBA Season with Donation to ThanksUSA

The leading deodorant brand donated $10,000 in the name of ThanksUSA’s national spokesperson and Golden State Warrior Stephen Curry following his team’s NBA championship victory. Curry has partnered with Degree® for the past two years and has served as ThanksUSA’s national spokesper-son since 2010. Best of luck to Stephen and the Golden State Warriors this season!

FALL 2015

Special Thanks to These Generous Supporters in 2015

“Your generous gift has assisted me in fulfilling a lifelong dream of earning a college degree.”

Marine Corps Veteran & Spouse Marie Charron

Tennis PROs Thank the Troops in a USPTA Division Challenge United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) and Tennis Thanks the Troops are asking tennis PROs to donate the proceeds from a lesson prior to Veterans Day, to support ThanksUSA scholarships for military families.

Visit our website to donate your lesson fee and enter the USPTA Division Challenge for a chance to win!

ThanksUSA is proud to be a part of the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) as charity number 99441. Now through December 15, pledges can be made through the CFC, whose mission is to promote philan-

thropy in an employee-focused, cost-efficient and effective way while giving federal employees the opportunity to improve quality of life for all.

2015 LEADERSHIPBoard of DirectorsHon. B. Robert Okun, Chairman & CEOCarolyn Ferek, SecretaryPatricia St. George, TreasurerStephen E. BaskinRhett Butler Fred CannonGen. George W. Casey, Jr., USA (Ret.)Maj. Gen. Jack Catton, USAF (Ret.)

Capt. John P. “Sean” Coffey, USN (Ret.)J. Andrew Don Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody, USA (Ret.)Jill A. DyalAlex EhrlichFrank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.Timothy H. GillisGillian JaegerGen. James L. Jones, USMC (Ret.)Gary M. Kittay

Suzie KovnerLt. Gen. Normand Lezy, USAF (Ret.)Laura A. OdellDeanna Tanner OkunRachel OkunRuss OwenMaj. Gen. Hawthorne L. Proctor, USA (Ret.)Win SheridanPeter L. ThorenHon. Zach Wamp

Advisory CouncilRear Adm. Richard A. Buchanan, USN (Ret.)Mrs. Sheila Casey, USAMrs. Eva-Marie Chandler, USAFMs. Sharon Chase

Mrs. Beth Chiarelli, USAMr. Martin Coster Sgt. Ronald Drach, USA (Ret.)Captain Dawn Halfaker, USA (Ret.)Sgt. Maj. Alford McMichael, USMC (Ret.)

Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minihan, USAF (Ret.)Mrs. Deborah Mullen, USNMrs. Mary Jo Myers, USAFLt. Gen. Tad Oelstrom, USAF (Ret.)Ms. Caroline Suplizio

Emeritus DirectorHon. Rod Paige