The Cause

The Special Operations Warrior Foundation

The Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF) will again be the beneficiary of proceeds from SOAR. SOWF provides college educations to the surviving children of fallen Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps special operations personnel. It also provides immediate financial assistance to the families of severely wounded special operations personnel so they can be bedside with their loved one when needed most.

Testimonial from Executive Director of SOWF

Each year, I look forward to joining the wonderful people in the Highlands, Sapphire, and Cashiers region of North Carolina for the annual Special Operations Adventure Race (SOAR), which benefits the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. Your warmth and generosity – and your commitment to the children and families we serve – are an example for all Americans to follow.

Today, 200 children of fallen U.S. Special Operations personnel have graduated from college, and another 144 children are attending colleges across the nation. This is possible because of caring and concerned people like those associated with the SOAR events.

There are another 600 children in our scholarship program that have yet to reach college age. With your help, they, too, will receive the educations their parents would have wanted for them. 

Over the past 10 years, your community has raised over $500,000 to help fund college educations for these deserving children. Success on this scale is achieved through the dedication of the SOAR board, the assistance of countless volunteers and supporters who devote months to planning and organizing the SOAR events; and the generosity of the business owners in the region. We cannot thank you all enough for your efforts on behalf of our special operations personnel and their families. 

You’re an example of how a community can make a significant, positive impact on the lives of some very special children, and I look forward to seeing you again in June 2012.

Sincerely,

Steven L. McLeary
Major, USAF (Ret.)
Special Operations Warrior Foundation
Executive Director

Learn More About SOWF