The Bob Woodruff Foundation held its third annual Veterans Classic at the Westhampton Country Club on May 20, raising more than $250,000.
The event featured a performance by the veteran-owned and operated Patriot Parachute Team, which jumped in with two of last year’s auction winners; a golf tournament, pickleball, lunch, dinner, cocktails, and awards ceremony, along with remarks by the foundation’s CEO Anne Marie Dougherty. Board members Colin Heffron and Mike Hoffman co-chaired the event for the third consecutive year.
“Gathering on the greens to play golf with a great group of people and veterans symbolizes the spirit of unity and support that drives our mission,” said Dougherty. “This event isn’t just about the game; it’s also about making a difference in the lives of those who have served our country. Our thanks to our co-chairs Colin Heffron and Mike Hoffman under whose leadership we raised over $250,000 for our mental health investments.”
Recognizing the unique challenges military children face, from frequent moves to deployments to the prospect, or actuality, of losing a parent, the Bob Woodruff Foundation pledged to invest $1 million in military children’s mental health in 2022. The foundation has exceeded its goal, working with numerous organizations throughout the country to ensure that the investments complemented the services available through insurance providers and increased the availability of clinicians trained to work with children. They have also invested in additional programs that focused on military children’s overall mental wellbeing by fostering relationships with mentors and by increasing access to extracurricular activities.
The Bob Woodruff Foundation was founded in 2006 after reporter Bob Woodruff was wounded by a roadside bomb while covering the war in Iraq. Since then, the Bob Woodruff Foundation has raised awareness about the tough challenges veterans and military families are facing, and invested in solutions to help support them in the next chapter of their lives.