For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Emily Burkle

emily@burkleconsulting.com

THE HONOR FOUNDATION SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETES INAUGURAL ‘SWIM FOR SOF’

The event met all the non-profit’s goals of raising awareness and funds to support Special Operations Forces veterans

September 19, 2021 (SAN DIEGO, CA) – On September 18, 2021, The Honor Foundation (THF) successfully completed its first ever Swim For SOF, a high-performance athletic challenge to raise awareness and funds to support Special Operations Forces veterans. The event raised thousands in donations, garnered lots of media attention, and was well-attended by supporters, families, and sponsors, amplifying THF’s mission to help Special Operations Forces veterans transition from military to civilian life.

The event was spearheaded by THF alum Jason Goyanko, who worked tirelessly for months to bring it to fruition. 45 Members of the Special Operations Community participated, completing a 3.3 mile open water swim from Coronado Island to the USS Midway Museum in San Diego, with runs and tribute workouts along the way. THF Alumni Scott Rathke was the first male to complete the harrowing swim, and Emily Young was the first female. The event culminated with a tribute workout on the Midway flight deck, followed by a closing ceremony and special guest appearance from CBS’s SEAL TEAM actor Justin Melnick.

Following the event, THF held a party and silent auction at the Intercontinental Hotel, where participants and supporters alike could celebrate the day’s achievements. Swim for SOF, which was the very first event of its kind in San Diego, was made possible with the generosity and vision of title sponsor Surefox North America. Many other sponsors offered their support for the event, including Fitbit, Apollo Management, JP Morgan, R3, Bubs Naturals, and GovX. It would also not have been possible without the hard work and coordination of the USS Midway Museum, the Intercontinental San Diego, So Cal Maritime Support, Elite Maritime Services, and the 40+ event volunteers.

Swim for SOF was a testament to not only the grit, stamina, and dedication of the community THF serves, but also to the loyal community it has built. With its mission achieved through this year’s event, THF plans to continue it annually and looks forward to another successful event next year.

ABOUT THE HONOR FOUNDATION

The Honor Foundation (THF) is a career transition program for U.S. Special Operations Forces that effectively translates their elite military service to the private sector and helps create the next generation of corporate and community leaders. It achieves this through a three-month program which provides tailored executive education, one-on-one coaching, and access to a nationwide professional network. This program was built by the desire to serve others with honor for life, so that their next mission is always clear and continues to impact the world. Every step is dedicated to preparing these outstanding men and women to continue to realize their maximum potential during and after their service career. The Honor Foundation has 1000+ graduates to date and has campuses in San Diego, CA; Virginia Beach, VA; Camp Lejeune, NC; Fort Bragg, NC; and a virtual campus (THFv). The Navy SEAL Foundation is a Founding Partner of The Honor Foundation.

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