Adding to its ongoing support of special operations forces (SOF), Glock Inc. donated $100,000 to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF) during the Special Operations Forces Industry Conference (SOFIC) in Tampa, Fla.
The money will be used to directly support the families of fallen and wounded Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps special operations personnel. The donation was made during a special presentation at the Glock exhibition booth at the Tampa Convention Center.
The Special Operations Warrior Foundation was founded in 1980 to provide support and assistance to personnel serving in the U.S. Special Operations Command. There are two major aspects to the Foundation's mission. First is to provide a full college education to surviving children of fallen SOF personnel, and second is to provide immediate financial assistance and support to the family of severely wounded SOF personnel.
"Glock has a long-standing tradition of supporting those who put themselves in harm's way, and this donation to the SOWF will go a long way in providing assistance to the families of fallen and wounded heroes," said Josh Dorsey, Glock's vice president. "The SOWF is a tremendous organization that provides significant contributions to military families, and we are honored and proud to continue our support of the foundation."
Accepting the donation on behalf of SOWF was Col. John T. Carney Jr., the founding father of Air Force Special Tactics and current President of SOWF, and Melinda Ruddess Petrignani, former recipient of the SOWF scholarship.
"The generosity of the men and women of Glock will have a long-lasting effect on the families of SOF warriors," said John T. Carney, Jr., president of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. "This donation will ensure that the children of fallen SOF warriors receive funding for a college education, and will provide immediate financial assistance to severely wounded special operators."
Petrignani is one of more than 800 children of fallen SOF personnel to whom SOWF has provided aide. Her father, Army Ranger Private First Class Michael Ruddess, was killed in a training accident in 1986 when she was only eight months old. Through the financial assistance from SOWF, Petrignani graduated from DePaul University in 2008 with a degree in Business Administration. In September 2010, Melinda joined SOWF, where she works with families and students as a Financial Aid Counselor.
Throughout the past seven years, Glock has contributed $700,000 to SOWF. Glock Inc. donates more than $500,000 each year to causes that benefit those who endeavor to defend the freedom that Americans enjoy.