Ft. Sam Houston, Tex., July 31, 2008 -
On Thursday July 31, 60 business, educational and government leaders gathered at the Ft. Sam Houston Golf Club to celebrate the awarding of Operation Life Transformed’s 50th TRIAD (Texas Resources for Iraq- Afghanistan Deployment) Fund scholarship in the San Antonio Region.
With a mission focused on providing online educational and employment opportunities to military spouses and caregivers to the war wounded, OLT received a $150,000 grant from the San Antonio Foundation’s TRIAD fund in February to provide the tuition for military spouses in the region.
Sandi Paloma-Gonzalez stated on behalf of TRIAD that “they were proud” to be a part of the program and were happy to be present for the awarding. She stood with OLT leaders to present the four TRIAD awards along with Connie Munn a member of the TRIAD Fund Advisory Committee.
Along with the support of TRIAD other awards were presented by CVS Caremark’s Senior Manager, Irvine Porter who had sponsored a scholarship and Central Texas College’s Bill Alexander and Judy Heartfield to present 2 of the pledged 150 certification scholarships OLT has been given to award spouses of recipients of Purple Heart medals.
Upon the end of the ceremony a surprise contribution by Valero Energy’s Sylvia Rodriguez was pledged of a $2500 scholarship and $200 gas cards for each recipient present for use at Valero stations.
Judy Heartfield of the CTC Foundation stated, “Central Texas College and the CTC Foundation are very honored to have a part in helping military spouses. "
Recipients were Pam Herel, Meridian Borgkvist, Paula Heine, Jennifer Marx, Bethany Merritt, Kathy Chambers and Nikita Corley all part of the local military community here in San Antonio. OLT is a nationwide program to benefit military spouses with strong presence in the Texas Community. Almost a third of their recipients are from Texas bases.
Recipients were excited to not only receive scholarships valued at $2500 for certification programs offered through OLT but also gift bags from sponsors including getaway trips for each wife and husband recipient present. Sponsors of the gifts and trips were in New Braunfels; T Bar M Resorts, Fredericksburg; Camp David Bed and Breakfast, Magnolia House, Navajo Grill, Town Creek Bed and Breakfast, The Nimitz Museum, A Taste of Texas Wine, Texas Wine Tours and Grapecreek Vineyards. Locally in San Antonio at the Omni Hotel and two local Day Spas, Spa D’Sante and Skin the Day Spa. Other sponsors included Arbonne, Avon, Tupperware, Chik Fil A, Peter Piper Pizza, Staples, Target, Melanie Dekker, Diane St. James and Mary Kay Cosmetics.
To learn more about Operation Life transformed or to support their programs go to www.lifetransformed.org to see all of their available programs and sponsors.