The Newman’s Own Foundation, in partnership with Fisher House Foundation and Military Times, recently awarded $200,000 to five organizations that support service members, veterans and their families at the Pentagon’s Hall of Heroes.
Newman’s Own Foundation is an independent, private foundation formed in 2005 by Paul Newman to sustain the legacy of his philanthropic work, and it includes 22 veterans’ organization in its grantee list.
Funded entirely through the profits and royalties of Newman’s Own products, the Foundation does not maintain an endowment, raise funds or accept donations, according to its website. Since 1985, Newman’s Own has donated more than $495 million worldwide to thousands of nonprofit organizations.
The Joint Staff (Twitter)
Navy Vice Adm. Kevin D. Scott, the Joint Staff’s director of joint force development, expressed his gratitude to Newman’s Own, the Fisher House Foundation, and the five organizations that were honored at the ceremony.
“Your continuing efforts are critical in supporting our men and women in uniform, past and present, and their families,” Scott said, the Defense Department reported. “As you know, our men and women in uniform have been running pretty hard – and in some cases have been sprinting – in so many places around the globe. On land, at sea and in the air, they are standing the watch.”
DoD photo by Jim Garamone
Five judges sorted through more 250 organizations and selected to receive the awards. The recipients included:
- Camp Sunshine at Sebago Lake, which received $50,000 for its military family program. Founded in 1984, Camp Sunshine provides retreats for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. In 2014, four Navy SEALs created a program called SEALs for Sunshine. The four SEALs swam across Sebago Lake and raised enough money to provide transportation costs for 40 military and special operations families who have a child battling a life-threatening illness to come to Camp Sunshine. Since then, SEALs for Sunshine has held events each summer to help bring military families to the camp.
Vice Adm. Kevin D. Scott and Newman’s Own Vice President of Operations Jeffrey Smith present the overall Newman’s Own Award, including a bust of Paul Newman, to Michael Katz, right, executive director of Camp Sunshine in Sebago Lake, Maine, in an awards ceremony Wednesday at the Pentagon. (Ashley Estill/Fisher House)
- Dog Tag, Inc., Fellowship received $37,500 for its education program. They provide an opportunity for veterans with disabilities, spouses and caregivers by offering an education through Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and experiential learning in their small business venture, Dog Tag Bakery. The Dog Tag, Inc., program helps transitioning veterans become business-ready, competitive and employable.
Dog Tag Bakery (Twitter)
- The Foundation for Women Warriors Childcare Assistance program received $37,500 for its program that helps veterans’ mothers. The organization in Los Angeles provides childcare scholarships and stipends for veteran mothers who work or attend school. The award will allow the organization to provide 88 women and children with a combined 1,440 days of childcare.
Jodie Grenier, center, executive director of Foundation for Women Warriors, accepts a 2017 Newman’s Own Award from (from left) Navy Vice Adm. Kevin D. Scott, Jeffrey Smith of Newman’s Own, Fisher House trustee Suzie Schwartz and Sightline Media Group president David Smith. (Ashley Estill/Fisher House)
- The Hampton Roads Community Development Initiative received $37,500 for their Armed Service Arts Partnership. The program empowers veterans and military family members to re-enter, find a voice and thrive in their communities through art classes, workshops, performances and alumni opportunities.
Armed Service Arts Partnership (Twitter)
- And last but never least, Boot Campaign received $37,500 for its ReBOOT program. ReBOOT provides funding for world-class physical and mental wellness programs for veterans dealing with traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic pain, addiction and insomnia.
Boot Campaign (Facebook)
The Newman’s Own Foundation is no stranger to military charity – This is the 18th year of the Newman’s Own Foundation Awards.
In 2015, the organization donated $1.5 million in grants to 29 different military organizations.
“Our men and women in uniform make great sacrifices in their own lives to protect the unique freedom, privileges, and opportunities we enjoy as Americans. It is not so much a responsibility to support them, but more a privilege to express our gratitude for their service,” President and CEO of Newman’s Own Foundation Robert Forrester said.
