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One of the pillars of the Coast Guard Foundation's mission is to support families in any way we can, whether that means awarding college scholarships for the children of enlisted personnel, or building a playground at a base to give families a safe place to play and build a sense of community.

This past August, in celebration of the Coast Guard's 221st birthday, the Foundation got help from some of the people we've supported in the past. On Coast Guard Day 2011, the "Kids of Training Center Petaluma, California" set up a lemonade stand to raise funds for The Foundation.

Now that 2012 is here, and we've had a chance to reflect on the past year and look ahead to the new, I would like to offer my thanks to everyone who has supported the Coast Guard Foundation, making 2011 yet another successful year.

I came across a news item that perfectly captures the spirit of what we do and why, and I'd like to share it with you today.

With the redesign of our website, we realized that it's time to update our online storefront and better showcase the quality products we offer to Foundation donors and supporters. So it was with that in mind that we gathered a photographer and a couple of photogenic volunteers to capture the products in all their glory.

The Coast Guard Foundation’s Shipmate Fund continues to improve morale and welfare for active duty members. As we head into the final month of 2011, we want to update our friends on the latest morale boosting projects we’ve provided the men and women of the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard Foundation Shipmate Fund continues to be the primary source of support for active duty personnel.

We did it! Thanks to everyone who made the Facebook campaign to reach 5,000 "Likes" of The Weather Channel's new series, Coast Guard Alaska. As of this morning the page had well over 5,200 thumbs up. The Weather Channel will donate $5,000 to the Coast Guard Foundation as a result of the campaign.

Coast Guard Alaska, airs Wednesdays, at 9 p.m. Eastern. The show follows Coast Guard personnel and their families stationed in the remote town of Kodiak, Alaska. The show portrays the incredible work these brave individuals do, and the impact on their families.

Just because we've reached the goal of 5,000 "likes" doesn't mean we shouldn't push it higher! Go to http://www.facebook.com/CGAlaska to like the show. And be sure to watch Wednesdays at 9 p.m.

The Weather Channel announced that it will donate $1 up to $5,000 for every person who "likes" their new show "Coast Guard Alaska" on Facebook before its premiere on November 9.

Please help us in making this campaign successful by liking the show at www.facebook.com/CGAlaska. This is a great opportunity and an easy way to support The Coast Guard Foundation. Please head over to the show's page and "Like" it now!

Coast Guard Foundation Trustee and President of US Sailing, Gary Jobson, has three television shows airing on ESPN Classic tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 4.

Twenty years ago today, the Coast Guard Foundation held its Annual Salute to the U.S. Coast Guard in New York City. The event was complicated by a brutal nor'easter that was battering the East Coast that night.

The Coast Guard Foundation President at the time, John Sargent, watched from his seat on a New York-bound train, as waves crashed on Connecticut's shoreline while gale force winds pummeled the coast. He feared that the storm would wreak havoc on the Foundation's awards dinner scheduled for that evening. The show, as they say, went on, though.

The Coast Guard Foundation hosted the 18th annual tribute to the Coast Guard's 7th District on Monday, October 24, 2011 at the well-appointed, historic St. Petersburg Coliseum.

Last Thursday marked the Coast Guard Foundation's 31st Annual Salute to the Coast Guard in New York City. The event honored the brave men and women who wear the Coast Guard uniform across the country and the globe. The Foundation also awarded two Coast Guard crews — an air crew from Sitka, Alaska and a boat crew from Tillamook Bay, Oregon — for exceptional heroism in the line of duty. A Coast Guard rescue swimmer was also awarded for performing a daring rescue while he was off-duty.