News

The 20th annual Coast Guard Foundation tribute to the 8th Coast Guard district was certainly one for the record books.

We raised $519,000 from event guests and sponsors — the highest grossing dinner we've ever hosted in New Orleans. Over the past 20 years, our 8th Coast Guard Tribute dinner has raised $6.5 million total, which has helped the men and women of the Coast Guard excel on- and off- duty during that time.

Sadly, the Coast Guard was struck by the loss of four members last February, when the helicopter crew of CG-6535 went down in Mobile Bay, Alabama. Since the day of this tragedy, the Coast Guard Foundation has supported the families and members of the Coast Guard community, affected by the crash.

The four lost crew members were: Chief Petty Officer Fernando Jorge; Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew Knight; Lt. j.g. Thomas Cameron; and LCDR Dale Taylor.

Registration for the 2013 Coast Guard Remember, a series of events to honor fallen Coast Guard members across the country, is now open. The majority of activities will take place the weekend of May 18 and 19.

A Coast Guard small boat crew from South Padre Island, Texas will be honored for heroism in the line of duty at the Coast Guard Foundation's 20th Annual Tribute to the 8th District on Friday, March 1 in New Orleans.

On the night of October 11, 2012, the crew of the 33-foot special law enforcement boat was patrolling the international maritime border off of South Padre Island, Texas when they spotted a Mexican vessel illegally fishing in U.S. waters. In addition to being harmful to the maritime environment, these vessels are often used for smuggling drugs and other contraband.

The Coast Guard Foundation is hosting an overnight sailboat race on April 27-28. The Coast Guard Foundation Cup, managed by the Annapolis Yacht Club (AYC), will start and finish outside of Annapolis Harbor. All sponsorship proceeds benefit the Foundation and its support of the men and women of the Coast Guard and their families. 

At a reception on January 23, 2013 at Coast Guard Headquarters, Coast Guard Foundation staff member Patricia Gross was honored with a Coast Guard Distinguished Public Service Award by Commandant of the Coast Guard, Admiral Bob Papp.

The Coast Guard Foundation is proud to announce that Brian Overcast, of St. Petersburg, Florida, has joined our team to manage fundraising efforts and work with donors and prospects throughout the Southeastern United States. In his role, he will seek to broaden the reach of the Foundation in Florida, and throughout the region, through his engagement with individuals, corporations and foundations.

The Coast Guard Foundation is proud to announce that we have received a $25,000 grant from the Motorola Solutions Foundation's Public Safety and Security Institute. A charitable arm of Motorola Solutions Inc., the Motorola Solutions Foundation's Public Safety Grants aim to support safety education and training programs for first responders, their families and the general public in the United States and Canada. Through the grant, we will support our scholarship program that currently helps 80 children of enlisted United States Coast Guard personnel attend college each year.

It's with great sadness we report that Mr. John K. Irish passed away at his home on Tuesday, November 27.

John was a driving force behind the Coast Guard Foundation in its early years and served us well during our transition from the Coast Guard Academy Foundation to the Coast Guard Foundation. He was also a champion of our event recognition program, most notably the annual Coast Guard Foundation Salute to the Coast Guard in New York City.

Former Coast Guard Foundation Chairman Ross E. Roeder is one of six recipients of the 2012 Spirt of Hope Award. Mr. Roeder was nominated by the Coast Guard for his work as leader of the Board of Directors. Each branch of the armed services nominates someone for the award, which recognizes volunteer efforts for military. The Spirit of Hope honor is named after comedian Bob Hope, who dedicated countless hours to the men and women of the armed services through his work with the USO.