Children of Fallen Patriots raises $2.5 million at Greenwich gala

The Children of Fallen Patriots raised $2.5 million at its 13th annual Greenwich Gala to support its mission of providing college scholarships and educational counseling to military children who have lost a parent serving in the armed forces.

The nonprofit recognized its 20th year of serving Gold Star families as it hosted more than 500 people at the Riverside Yacht Club.

The money raised will be enough to provide a full college education for more than 100 students.

Beyond tuition, students will also receive financial help with application fees, room and board, educational counseling, school supplies and more, according to the nonprofit.

At the ceremony, Lt. Gen. Willard M. Burleson III, commanding general of Eighth Army at Camp Humphreys in Korea, was honored with the 2022 Patriot Award and addressed the crowd in the keynote speech.

Isabella Gilbert Ravella, daughter of U.S. Air Force Maj. Troy Gilbert and a sophomore at Belmont University, who attended with her family, gave a speech about her father’s legacy and her experience as a Children of Fallen Patriots Scholar.

Her father was killed in 2006 when his F-16 fighter jet crashed in Iraq during a rescue mission, leaving behind his wife and five children. All five Gilbert siblings have received Children of Fallen Patriots scholarships.

“The call to serve manifests in many ways. For two decades, Children of Fallen Patriots and its generous supporters have served our fallen brothers and sisters by ensuring their legacies for the future,” said David Kim, co-founder and CEO of Children of Fallen Patriots.

Since its inception, Children of Fallen Patriots has awarded more than $61 million in support to more than 2,700 children, including more than 1,300 graduates. To learn more about Children of Fallen Patriots, visit www.fallenpatriots.org.