2020 Beneficiaries
Following is a summary of some events, projects, causes, and initiatives that the Marine Corps Coordinating Council of Kentucky (MCCCK) and/or its individual members have administratively, logistically, and financially supported during the year so indicated:
- December 2020– Provided financial support of the Marine Corps League, Kentuckiana Detachment #729, Benevolence Committee, in its charitable outreach to a Marine Corps veteran, suffering from PTSD post- Afghanistan combat duty, needing emergency mechanical repairs to his primary vehicle, used to transport children to school, purchase groceries and daily commute for employment from Shelbyville to Louisville, Kentucky.
- December 2020– Provided financial support for the Toys for Tots program within the greater Louisville area and surrounding Kentucky counties.
- December 2020 – Cooperative acquisition of grants and individual donations from Kentucky Marines and Friends of the Corps, totaling $82,299 for the benefit of the Semper Fi Fund (SFF), all of which was matched dollar-for-dollar by the Bob and Renee Parsons Foundation, thereby resulting in $1164,598 support of injured and wounded Marines nationwide. With these matched donations and grants, the Marine Corps Coordinating Council of Kentucky (MCCCK) has now been responsible, either directly or indirectly, for generating $1,625,880 in support of the SFF and its vital mission, since 2008.
- December 2020 – Continued funding of a college or university “Marine Corps Coordinating Council of Kentucky Scholarship,” to be awarded annually to a worthy son or daughter of a Kentucky Marine, under the auspices of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation (MCSF), which has been “honoring Marines by educating their children” since its inception in 1962. The Marine Corps Coordinating Council of Kentucky is proud to partner with the MCSF for the tenth consecutive year (2011-2020) in this truly important extension of its motto “Marines Serving Marines.”
- November 2020 – Provided direct financial tuition support of six (6) wounded Kentucky Marines, enabling them and their families to participate in a physical and emotional therapeutic Wounded Warrior Deer Hunt in Woodford County, Kentucky, marking the seventh consecutive year that the Marine Corps Coordinating Council of Kentucky has supported Marine corps veterans participating in this event.
- November 2020 – Presentation of an outdoor American flag to the Thoroughbred Club of America (Keeneland), Lexington, Kentucky, in gratitude for its gracious and generous hospitality in allowing the Marine Corps Coordinating Council of Kentucky to enjoy its beautiful facility for the annual Kentucky Marine Corps Birthday Breakfast, despite the cancellation of same due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
- August 2020 – Coordinated a joint effort with the Marine Corps League (MCL), Frankfort, Kentucky for the restoration of the Kentucky State Historical Marker at the gravesite of the legendary Lt Presley N. O’Bannon, USMC, located in historic Frankfort, Kentucky, to include interaction with the Kentucky State Historical Society and funding support.
- July 2020 – Facilitated the submission of personal accounts of World War II battles in the Pacific Theater, compiled by a local Marine Corps veteran, directly to the Marine Corps History Division, Quantico, Virginia for its review and potential retention as part of its historical archives.
- July 2020 – Provided information and guidance to Marine Corps Coordinating Council of Kentucky members concerning process for applying for Veterans Affairs disability payments and/or enhancement of same, as offered by a member with direct knowledge and experience.
- June 2020 – Facilitated donations to the Semper fi Fund, in memory of the late Col Robert V. “Bob” Evans, Jr, USMCR (Ret), Director Emeritus (2008 – 2018) of the Marine Corps Coordinating Council of Kentucky and Treasurer of the 2008 “Salute to the Legends of the Corps,” for the benefit of the Semper Fi Fund.
- March 2020– Funding support of Semper Fi Fund emergency relief efforts, by individual MCCCK members, to assist families of medically retired beneficiaries, whose spouses have been furloughed by employers, as a result of the national economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
- March 2020– Logistical and administrative support of a Quantico Marine Athletes reunion banquet scheduled for May 26-28, 2020 at Lexington, Kentucky, to include assistance in procuring a keynote speaker/guest of honor for the closing banquet, which was subsequently cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- March 2020 – Funding support of Officer Selection Teams (Lexington)(Cincinnati), MCRSL, sponsored and hosted Colonel “Rich” Higgins Awards Banquet, major officer candidate recruiting effort focusing on regional colleges and universities, to include all individual awards, primarily through a subsidizing grant, as well as dedicated award sponsorships.
- March 2020– Facilitation of an external grant for the benefit of Maj Tyler Tidwell, USMC and his young family, as he struggles with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and early medical retirement. Maj Tidwell, a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, where he was a starting linebacker on the Navy football team, served at Marine Barracks, Washington, DC, with a Kentucky Marine, who has compassionately reached out to fellow Marines in an effort to assist with mounting extraordinary medical expenses and family relocation expenses following his retirement.
- February 2020– Monetary grant to the Marine Corps League, Kentuckiana Detachment #729, to assist with expenses associated with the planning and execution of the Marine Corps League, Central Division Conference, which was to be held in Louisville, Kentucky during April 2020, but was subsequently cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a non-specific general grant.
- February 2020– Funding support of the Montford Point Marine Association, Chapter #22, Louisville, Kentucky, Covington – Hagan Scholarships, awarded annually to local deserving college bound African – American students.
- February 2020– Donation ($10,000) to the Parklands of Floyds Fork, funded by individual MCCCK members, as well as MCCCK grant, honoring the memories of David and Betty Jones, long-time compassionate and generous benefactors of many Marine Corps causes both local and national, to include the Semper Fi Fund, Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, and Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, all of which the MCCCK maintains a benevolent relationship with. Parklands of Floyds Fork is a privately funded park open to the public, admission free, in Jefferson County, Kentucky, envisioned, planned, finances and brought to fruition by David and Betty Jones, during the final years of their lives.