A Note From Our Executive Director

The Trust is thrilled to embark on an exciting 2024 fundraising season, with some of our most beloved annual events approaching. Our gatherings are always enhanced by the presence of SF families, so we invite you to check out the upcoming event dates and consider joining us!

Throughout the year, we collaborate closely with leadership across the Regiment to ensure our programs effectively address the needs of the Warrior Family. We take pride in our ability to adapt and provide meaningful services to both the Groups and SF Families.

In this edition, you’ll find information about the COL Martha Raye Award Gala and this year’s recipients. We warmly invite the community to join us for this inaugural gala in Fayetteville at the Botanical Gardens on August 29th, where we will honor the extraordinary spouses who offer invaluable support. Additionally, we are excited to partner again with the “Passing of the Yarbrough” camp for SF Kids this year, which promises to be bigger and better—stay tuned for more updates!

We also offer Side by Side events for Soldiers looking to reconnect with fellow Green Berets, allowing them to rediscover the reasons behind their commitment. Spouses, keep an eye out for the next Mix & Mingle in your area — a fantastic opportunity to enjoy an evening with peers, strengthen your circle, or simply indulge in some well-deserved “me” time.

Whether you are part of the SF Family or the SFCT Donor Family, we sincerely appreciate your support and interest in our mission and efforts!

Sincerely,

Jodi Burns

Upcoming Events in 2024

We may be coming to a city near you! Check out our upcoming fundraising events. We hope you will be able to join us or support from afar!

If you are unable to attend any of the events above, follow the button below to see all our upcoming events!

Programs & Community Giving

SFCT has the privilege to host this year’s COL Martha Raye Award Recipients on August 29th at the Cape Fear Botanical Gardens in Fayetteville, NC! This award recognizes the spouses’ volunteerism within the Special Forces Community! Thank you ladies for all of your wonderful support of the Regiment!

We are so excited to announce the 2024-2025 STRIVE Scholarship Recipients! We are honored to be a part of their education goals!

SFCT was blessed to hear the personal testimony of SGT(R) Lee McKinney, who is 98 years young! He spoke to his time fighting in World War II and the Korean War, where he was captured by the Chinese and held as a Prisoner of War for 28 months.

SGT McKinney is one of the few remaining ex-POWs our nation has from these days. His brief was invaluable to the Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) School students as he provided personal insight into life as a POW.

Their company started out with over 200 soldiers when they came under attack. The Chinese pushed their position back 20 miles that night and left them with 26 survivors, of which 13 were taken as POWs. Ironically, the day that he was captured was supposed to have been his wedding day. He spoke of brainwashing, confinement and the death that ensued over the next couple of years during his time in the far east. He made it pretty clear his determination to get home to “a girl he came to be pretty fond of” kept his mind in the fight. She waited for his safe return for over two years. He was finally able to marry that girl when he got home and they spent 64 wonderful years together!

SFCT realizes how important our Veterans and their Families are to the Special Forces Community. Their shared wisdom furthers the knowledge of the incoming soldiers and keeps their veteran heritage alive. We are committed to supporting their legacy, ensuring their welfare, and providing assistance wherever and whenever possible.

SFCT was privileged to support the brief with SGT McKinney, flying him and his daughter in from Amarillo, Texas and providing lodging assistance to them during their trip to North Carolina and Camp Mackall. It was an absolute pleasure meeting them and being able to spend some time listening to his experience. Thank you for your service to this country!

De Oppresso Liber

Support the SFCT!

Special Forces Charitable Trust
677 S Bennett Street
Southern Pines, NC 28387
9107257034
https://www.specialforcescharitabletrust.org