Distinguished Veteran guests took center stage as the Carrington Charitable Foundation (CCF) held its 11th CCF Golf Classic benefitting CCF’s Signature Programs that support post 9/11 combat wounded American Veterans on October 9, 2023, at The Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Coast, Calif. The event raised more than $1.9 million for its initiatives that enable Mobility, Stability, Purpose and Prosperity for U.S. servicemen and women returning from post-9/11 battlefields. CCF is the nonprofit organization of The Carrington Companies. More than 250 golfers participated and the event culminated in a dinner and auction attended by more than 450 people.
“For so many years, it has been a tremendous honor for us to organize this event; and we are grateful that so many donors, partners, friends and families are able to gather in person to celebrate Veterans,” said Rosemary Rose, Chairman, Carrington Charitable Foundation. “The proceeds from this tournament provide essential support as we expand CCF programs assisting the Veterans and their families who have so proudly served our country. It is an honor and a privilege to be able to help change their lives for the better.”
Since 2011, the CCF Golf Classic, together with its React 2020 and 2021 virtual events, has raised more than $26 million for CCF’s Signature Programs, which provide diverse ongoing assistance to Veterans and their families. In addition to an inspiring day of golf, the event featured an evening banquet and auction, during which attendees bid on a wide variety of items donated by Carrington associates and sponsors. The highlight of the event was Veterans and enthusiastic supporters speaking passionately about the importance of the CCF’s ongoing mission, which supports Veterans through initiatives that provide:
- Mobility: CCF financially supports the Veterans Airlift Command (VAC). Working with a network of volunteer aircraft owners and pilots, the VAC provides free private air transportation for Veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts and their families.
- Stability: From 2014 through 2021, Carrington House built or remodeled 29 custom, adaptive homes for catastrophically injured Veterans, with each home designed to meet the special needs of wounded Veterans and their families. In 2021, CCF transitioned to the Gold Star Family Housing Initiative. In association with Mike Haynes, former Commander of U.S. Navy SEAL Team Two, this initiative assists struggling Gold Star families – the immediate family of a service member who died while serving – by paying off their mortgages. The Carrington Companies and CCF can make a huge difference in the lives of struggling Gold Star families by giving them a place to forever call home, relieved of the economic burden of a mortgage. To date, CCF has assisted the families of U.S. Navy Lieutenant (SEAL) Mike McGreevy and S. Navy Special Operations Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) David Fegyo; and CCF currently is considering a number of Veteran families for this essential program.
- Purpose: CCF assists such Veteran-focused nonprofits, such as the Travis Mills Foundation, that are dedicated to improving the mental health of our Heroes and restoring a sense of normalcy as they return to life post service.
- Prosperity: CCF also supports the The Honor Foundation, which helps Navy SEALs and U.S. Special Operations service members transition to life after service. This pillar of CCF’s Veteran-focused Signature programs works to ease the transition for our Veterans back to civilian life.
Honored Veteran guests at this year’s Golf Classic included U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Jeramie Frasure, U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Michael Jernigan, U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Matthew Miles, U.S. Army Sergeant Matthew Melancon, U.S. Army Master Sergeant John Masson and U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Travis Mills – all of whom were beneficiaries of custom homes through the Carrington House program. Also welcomed this year was U.S. Army Sergeant Andrew Smith. CCF has also been a proud ongoing supporter of the Smith’s Foundation, Honoring the Sacrifice.
The fast-paced evening program included a silent and live auction, and entertainment provided by celebrated signing action painter Joe Everson, as well as a stirring, multimedia-driven, spoken-word tribute to the American flag by Evangelo “Vann” Morris, a former U.S. Navy Surface Warfare Officer. Featured speakers included retired U.S. Navy Master Chief Petty Officer Joe Lara, who is currently Director, Leader Development for Carrington Mortgage Holdings, and a graduate of The Honor Foundation. Lara recounted a personal story about the transformational impact such Veteran-focused programs as The Honor Foundation and CCF can have on former service members. Also presenting was Joshua Cox, U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander (SEAL), now in his 26th year of active duty, who shared with the audience his perspective on the critical importance of service to others – especially to our nation’s Gold Star Families.
“We all have a responsibility to secure our nation’s freedom for generations to come,” said Cox. “That starts with making sure the families of the fallen have the security and stability that is essential for them to thrive.”
Veteran guests gathered on the airport tarmac on arrival for this year’s CCF Golf Classic.
Evangelo “Vann” Morris, a former U.S. Navy Surface Warfare Officer, wowed the crowd with his performance.
