Press Releases

December 22, 2009 -- ThanksUSA announced that it awarded a total of 200 scholarships, valued at $3,000 each, to military families in 2009.

Rounding out its fourth year of tuition assistance, ThanksUSA sent out the final 100 scholarship letters on Monday, December 21, with the previous 100 awarded in the fall. Full Press Release

ESA Foundation and ThanksUSA Partner to Aid Military Families
Treasure Hunt Serves to Generate Donations to Annual Scholarship Fund

NOVEMBER 25, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The ESA Foundation and ThanksUSA will unveil Treasure Hunt Five, a free online and fully interactive trivia and puzzle game about American history, culture and values, on Thanksgiving morning, the organizations announced today. Full Press Release

More Than 75 Wounded Warriors Honored With Special Veterans Day Weekend in Las Vegas

Blue Man Group Special Show to Benefit ThanksUSA, Sponsored by The Venetian Hotel and American Airlines

LAS VEGAS, November 11, 2009 -- In honor of Veterans Day, more than 75 wounded warriors and their spouses from San Antonio and Washington, D.C. will be flown to Las Vegas for a weekend of relaxation, entertainment, sightseeing, and educational seminars. Full Press Release

Caring Institute Names 2009 Inductees to the Caring Hall of Fame

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 PRNewswire -- Senator and former Majority Leader, Robert J. Dole, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Caring Institute, today announced the winners of the 2009 Caring Awards. Rachel and Kelsi Okun are one of five youth winners. Full Press Release

The Boeing Company and ThanksUSA to Award $25,000 in Scholarships to Families of Active Military Members

WASHINGTON, July 30, 2009 -- ThanksUSA and The Boeing Company announced today they will award $25,000 in college scholarships to students who have applied for financial support through ThanksUSA. A total of eight Boeing/ThanksUSA awards will be donated, with six to be awarded to engineering students and two to political science majors. Full Press Release

May 27, 2009 -- ThanksUSA to accept NAB Education Foundation's Guardian Award

The awards ceremony will also feature the presentation of NABEF's Guardian Award, honoring ThanksUSA founders Kelsi and Rachel Okun for their commitment to supporting the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. Full Press Release

ThanksUSA Begins Fourth Year of College Scholarships for Military Spouses and Children

WASHINGTON, April 1, 2009 -- ThanksUSA today opened its fourth year accepting applications for scholarships. Interested applicants can find eligibility requirements and the official application form on this website -- see www.ThanksUSA.org. Applications will be accepted from April 1 through May 15, 2009. "We're excited to begin accepting this year's applications," said ThanksUSA chairman Bob Okun, "and hope that these scholarships reflect the nation's appreciation for our men and women in uniform." For complete story, click here.

More Press Releases

News

Abundant Kindness Recognized
McLean sisters among 'Ten Most Caring People in America'

Rachel and Kelsi will be honored at an awards ceremony given by The Caring Institute on Oct.13 at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles, Calif. They will join fellow award recipient Gen. Colin Powell and seven others as the Institute's "Ten Most Caring People in America for 2009." Full Article

ThanksUSA Featured in Northern Virginia Magazine:

While others are attending movies and concerts, catching a game at the new nationals stadium or shopping in the mall, the Okuns and their guests have assembled to conduct business, just as they have most Sunday afternoons for the last three years. The meeting concerns the activities of ThanksUSA, a nonprofit charitable foundation that provides need-based, post secondary scholarships to spouses and children of military members serving on active duty status. The organization is the brainchild of two young women who hold center stage at the Sunday gatherings, Rachel and Kelsi Okun. Full Article

WSJ Opinion "Will you Answer the Call?" by ThanksUSA:

Two years ago, my daughters opened my eyes to a national disconnect between average citizens and soldiers. What started as a kitchen-table idea evolved into ThanksUSA, providing post-secondary school scholarships to the children and spouses of those serving on active duty, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan. Hundreds of thousands of military families deserve support from community members, civic leaders, corporate leaders and all Americans as they set out to reclaim and reassemble their lives in the coming years. Full Article

Military Spouse of the Year charity recipient, Thanks USA, awarded a $5000.00 check to provide educational support for military families:

In 2008, "Military Spouse Appreciation Day" falls on May 9th. On Tuesday, Victory Media Inc. hosted Military Spouse magazine's "Military Spouse of the Year" luncheon. The honoree was Chelle Brewer. And the event's sponsor, TriWest Healthcare Alliance CEO David McIntyre, presented the MSOY charity recipient, ThanksUSA, with a $5,000 check to provide educational support for military families. First Lady Laura Bush participated via recorded message. Full Article

What You Can do for Your Country:

In the "Chairman's Corner" section of his February newsletter, as part of the commentary "What You Can Do for Your Country," Mario Marino of VPP writes:

"Do what you can to respect, honor, and support the men and women of the Armed Forces. Here's a creative example: In 2005, two young sisters, Rachel (10) and Kelsi (8), came up with the idea of creating a national treasure hunt to raise money to help the families of service members. With their parents, they launched ThanksUSA, which has now awarded 1,750 scholarships to spouses and children of active-duty U.S. military service personnel. But you don't have to start a new organization in order to make a difference. Just saying thanks when you see a service member at the grocery store or at a ballgame means a great deal." Full Article

More News

Events

April 27, 2009
Spring Golf Tournament
Robert Trent Jones Golf Club
Manassas, VA

May 13, 2009
Congressional Roundtable Discussion
The Monocle
Washington, DC

May 30, 2009
Boots Vs. Bulls BBQ Cook-Off
The Great Southwest Equestrian Center
Katy, TX

June 8, 2009
Pro Am Tennis Tournament
Army Navy Country Club
Arlington, VA

July 4, 2009
17th Annual Independence Day Celebration
Currituck Heritage Park
Corolla, NC

September 28, 2009
Fall Golf Tournament
The Club at Creighton Farms
Aldie, VA

October 14, 2009
"Treasure Our Troops" Gala
The Newseum
Washington, DC

November 5, 2009
Fight Night Silent Auction (PDF)
The Hilton
Washington, DC

November 9, 2009
ThanksUSA Benefit Concert (PDF)
Ryman Auditorium
Nashville, TN

November 12, 2009
Tribute to the Troops (PDF)
Blue Man Group at The Venetian
Las Vegas, NV