ASHBURN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund is the recipient of the 2017 Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher Distinguished Civilian Humanitarian Award. Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson presented the award to members of the organization’s board of directors in a ceremony at the Pentagon on October 22, 2018.
Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund was established in 2014 by a group of West Point classmates to honor service and sacrifice by providing scholarships and education opportunities to veterans and military family members, especially children of the fallen or disabled. Their inspiration was their classmate Colonel John “Johnny Mac” McHugh, killed in action on May 18, 2010 while deployed to Afghanistan. Colonel McHugh left behind a family of five children.
“Since 2014, Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund has awarded over $10 million in scholarships to deserving military children. Those kids need to know that when their military parents deploy—and some do not return—that we have their backs,” commented Tony Guzzi, Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund co-founder and Chairman, President, and CEO of EMCOR Group, Inc.
Established in 1996 by the Secretaries of the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force, the Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher Distinguished Civilian Humanitarian Award is a multi-service award designated to recognize and reward an individual or organization demonstrating exceptional patriotism and humanitarian concern for members of the Armed Forces or their families. Presented annually, the award is named in honor of Fisher House founders Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher, both of whom contributed extensively in support of service members and their families.
MaryEllen Picciuto, President, Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund, accepted the award and credited the board of directors and the Fund’s supporters for their passion and dedication to advancing the organization’s mission.
“The Fisher Award is very important to us at Johnny Mac. It recognizes and validates the hard work of the board, our donors, and supporters, and motivates us to do even more for military families,” stated Ms. Picciuto. In a nod to previous Fisher Award recipients, Picciuto continued, “Equally important, the association with other top-tier nonprofit organizations and individuals reinforces our credibility and results, and will undoubtedly amplify awareness and support for the Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund mission.”
About Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund
Established in 2014, the Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring military service and sacrifice by providing college scholarships to veterans and military family members, particularly children of our nation’s fallen. The fund is inspired by Colonel John “Johnny Mac” McHugh, KIA in Kabul, Afghanistan on May 18, 2010. To date, Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund has awarded $10 million in college scholarships and education programs, funding over 1,000 students. To learn more or to support the mission of Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund, visit www.JohnnyMac.org
