Check presentation to Special Operations Warrior Foundation

Check presentation to the Green Beret Foundation.

PRESS RELEASE - December 30, 2017

SSG ALEX VIOLA FOUNDATION DONATES TO MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS FOR 3RD YEAR IN A ROW

Keller, Texas – January 2018

On January 25, at the Keller City Town Hall, the SSGAVF presented two checks in the amount of $16,000 to both the Green Beret Foundation and the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, in honor of Keller resident Alex Viola, a Staff Sergeant with the US Army Special Forces who was killed in action on November 17, 2013, in Afghanistan.

The money was raised through the 3rd annual SSG Alex Viola Memorial Car Show presented by Statewide Remodeling, and took place on Veteran's Day, November 11, 2017. The event raised over $30,000. The show drew 270 classic cars and several hundred spectators to the Saturday event. Some of our finest military heroes were recognized and presented with the SSG Alex Viola Warrior award. The special award recipients included; Chief Petty Officer George W. White (WWII), Staff Sargent Derwood “Woody” Beard (WWII) and Lt. Col. Logan Fitch (Vietnam).

PRESS RELEASE - August 1, 2018

AMERICAN AIRLINES TO CO-SPONSOR SSG ALEX VIOLA MEMORIAL CAR SHOW

The Alex Viola Foundation today announced American Airlines has agreed to co-sponsor the foundation’s annual SSG Alex Viola Memorial Car Show to be held November 10, 2018 in Keller, TX.

The event, now in its fourth year, has grown in size and scope since being established in 2015 in memory of local resident Staff Sergeant Alex Viola, a member of the U.S. Army Special Forces Green Berets, who was killed in action Nov. 17, 2013 near Kandahar, Afghanistan.

American Airlines joins other co-sponsors such as Statewide Remodeling, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Painless Performance, Mad Dog Car Club and Turn Key Utility Construction. The car show is expected to draw as many as 300 vintage and restored cars, trucks and hot rods to the Keller Town Hall with current and former members of the armed services acting as judges. All proceeds are donated to the Green Beret Foundation and Special Operations Warrior Foundation. Donations can also be made through www.ssgalexviola.org

“Alex and I shared a keen interest in restoring cars and I felt initiating this event would be an appropriate way to not only honor his memory but help support two very worthy causes,” said Frank Viola, Alex’s father and founder of the Alex Viola Foundation. “We are extremely grateful to American Airlines as well as our other sponsors whose support has allowed us to raise thousands of dollars for these outstanding veterans organizations.”

“American Airlines is tremendously proud to support this great foundation, named after one of our nation’s heroes,” said Randy Stillinger, American Airlines’ Manager of Military and Veterans Initiatives. “As a fellow Soldier, it’s great to see so many patriotic Americans come together to honor Alex’ legacy and raise money for organizations that will benefit the military community.”

PRESS RELEASE - January 23, 2020

SSG ALEX VIOLA FOUNDATION DONATES A RECORD $90,000 TO VETERANS CHARITIES

Today was a very special day as the SSG Alex Viola Foundation donated $90,000 ($45k each) to the Green Beret Foundation and the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. Our day was filled with excitement and a great deal of pride. Presentations from Mayor Pat McGrail, Major General James G. Champion (Ret.) (GBF) and Colonel Sean Corrigan (Ret.) (SOWF) were heartfelt and very informative.

Our special; guest speaker was Cpt. John Arroyo, a Green Beret severely wounded during the Fort Hood mass shooting in 2014 where 4 people including the gunman died and 16 wounded. Captain Arroyo gave us a brief account of his near-fatal experience and how organizations such as the GBF helped him and his family. Truly inspiring.

2019 was a great year and we broke all fundraising records from the prior years. Our donations this year were a 50% increase from 2018. Much pride! Thank you all again for the outpour of support over the years. Your help has enabled us to make significant donations to worthy military support organizations in Alex's name and we are eternally grateful. 2019 is now officially behind us and we have set our sights on 2020. We hope to see you at the next event scheduled for November 8 at the Keller Town Hall.