Congratulations to our 2019 DSF Scholarship Award Winners!

We are excited to announce the winners of the 2019 DSF Scholarship Award! It was a difficult job to pare down the applicant pool as each student who applied was outstanding in their own way. Nine students were awarded prizes ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. These funds are to be used for their college education. All of the applicants had impressive academic and extra-curricular credentials and are to be commended for their achievements. We wish all of the candidates who applied for the scholarship the very best in their college careers.

And the winners are:

$5,000 AWARD

Rachel Robin
University of Maryland
Daughter of Nelson Robin, Contractor

Dean Sherman
College of William & Mary
Son of Greg Sherman, Office Director

Ethan Sisbarro
Princeton University
Son of Kevin Sisbarro, DS/PSP/PSD Chief

$2,500 AWARD

Jacob Munyan
Brigham Young University
Son of Walter Munyan, ATA East Africa Program Manager

Mira Wroblewski
College of William & Mary
Daughter of K. Andrew Wroblewski, Regional Security Officer

$1,000 AWARD

Hannah Ford
Duke University
Daughter of Peter Ford, Retired Agent

Tucker Rawlings
University of Virginia
Daughter of Steven Chalupsky, Retired Agent

Brock Sotolar
University of Missouri
Son of Jeremy Cheung, Special Agent

Jace Stern
Southern Methodist University
Son of Jacob Stern, Explosives Ordinance Disposal Technician

Congratulations, again to all!

Donate to DSF While Shopping on eBay? Why YES You Can!

Did you know you can donate to DSF while you shop on eBay?

Visit our eBay charity page  https://www.charity.ebay.com/charity/Diplomatic-Security-Foundation/2302744, and click on “Add to Favorites”. Then every time you buy something on eBay, you can choose to add a donation to DSF, as little as $1, and 100% of it goes to DSF, no fees!

If you’re an eBay seller, you can donate a percentage of your sales to DSF! Learn more on our eBay charity page. See link to our eBay charity page above.

(eBay partners with the PayPal Giving Fund, a 501(c)3 nonprofit that covers the cost of credit card and transaction fees so that 100% of your donation goes directly to the charity.)

Such an easy way to help out while you shop!

DSSAA annual family picnic: Sept 7. Tickets on sale until 8/31/19

Our partner organization, DSSAA, is hosting a family day at Ticonderoga Farms out in Chantilly, VA on Saturday, September 7, 2019. It looks to be such a fun event! Check out their website https://dssaa.org/family-picnic or their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/events/331239451159840/ for more info about the event. Sure to be a good time! Hope to see you there!

US Emb Cotonou raises $400 for DSF

As part of DSSAA’s efforts to encourage participation in the 2019 National Police Week 5K event, our friends at US Embassy Cotonou held their own fun race. Members of U.S. Marine Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team (FAST) members were in town for a two-week contingency response exercise and joined in on the fun! Thanks to Team Cotonou & FAST!!

Registration Reopens for June 3rd DSF Charity Golf Outing!

Hey Golfers!  We’ve got some exciting news! We have re-opened registration to fill a few remaining golfer spots for our upcoming June 3rd charity golf outing at The Golf Club at Lansdowne Resort in Lansdowne, VA.

REGISTER NOW for the 29th Annual DSF Mike Considine Charity Golf Outing and join us for a fun-filled day of golf while raising money for DSF.  The day includes 18 holes of golf followed by a great luncheon with tons of fabulous raffle prizes.  For more details and to register, click HERE.

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National Police Week 2019 – DSF & DSSAA Honor the Fallen

As part of National Police Week 2019, and to honor those who have fallen in the line of duty, DSF, and our partner organization DSSAA, purchased and placed wreaths at the Memorial Wall at Diplomatic Security Headquarters.

 The inscription on the Memorial Wall bears repeating:

“We honor all those who lost their lives in the line of duty while in service to the United States of America and the Bureau of Diplomatic Security. Their contributions are vital to our mission of providing a secure environment for the conduct of American diplomacy. The courage and devotion to duty of our fallen colleagues will never be forgotten”

We remember, honor and respect those whom we have lost.

DSF Scholarship: Time's Up!

The DSF Scholarship deadline is just a few hours away. All applications must be emailed to us by 11:59pm, May 15 (or postmarked 5/15/19). Student must be a (step)child/grandchild of a current, former, retired or deceased DS employee w/3 years service. Awards usually range between $2000-$2500, and usually there are 5-10 awards (every year is a little different). Visit us for more info:  https://www.dsfoundation.org/grants-scholarships

New Grant: $2,000 to family of guard at US Embassy Dili

Today we sent a grant of $2,000 to the family of a senior guard at the US Embassy Dili in Timor-Leste. The guard perished while rescuing his wife and young son from a flood at their residence. He had worked at the Embassy since 2005 and was a valued and trusted member of the LGF. Additionally, prior to his death, he had been nominated and selected to receive a Meritorious Honor Award for saving the life of a fellow guard.

$14K in Grants made in March & April

We’ve had a lot of requests recently and as such have given out $14,000 in grants to those in our DS “family” who are suffering from a hardship or loss. We are honored, and humbled, to be able to provide for these hardworking men and women who keep American diplomacy safe. Thank you to everyone who donates to DSF - it is because of YOUR generosity that we are able to provide this assistance.

$2,000 to a local guard at US Consulate Adana, Turkey, to cover medical costs associated with a work-related injury

$5,000 to a local guard at US Embassy Lima, Peru, whose house was destroyed by fire

$4,000 to a local guard at US Embassy Ankara, Turkey, to assist with medical costs due to an illness

$1,000 to a guard at US Embassy Khartoum, Sudan, to cover burial costs for members of his family.

$2,000 to a local guard at US Consulate Adana, Turkey, to cover medical costs associated with a work-related injury

A complete list of all of our grants can be found on our GRANTS page

If you’d like to help us continue our mission of providing for those in need, please visit our DONATE page

FEEA Scholarship Deadline is 3/25/19 3pm EDT

Our friends at the Federal Employee Education & Assistance Fund (FEEA) give scholarship awards ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 for one academic year, and federal employees, their spouses, and college-age kids are all eligible. Learn more about eligibility and access application instructions at www.feea.org/scholarships

Golf Outing Registration/Sponsorships OPEN!

29th Annual DSF Mike Considine
Charity Golf Outing

Monday, June 3, 2019

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DS Special Agents Dutcher, Smith, O'Neil & Santiago hitting the links at the 2018 event.

Don’t delay - this event will sell out. This is our main fundraiser of the year; started in 1990 by DS SA Mike Considine and dedicated to his memory in 2005. Last year’s event raised $235,000 for DSF. With these funds, we help those who provide a safe platform for American diplomacy.

This event is for golfers of ALL skill levels, and is a chance to play at Lansdowne*, one of the best courses in the DC area. Cost is $195/golfer…if you can only make it to breakfast/lunch the cost is $35.

Sponsoring the golf outing is a great way to support DSF.  Last year we had more than 100 sponsors, who donated more than $200,000 to DSF. Individuals can become a Hole Sponsor at $100, and there are lots of levels for corporate sponsors. Be sure to check out the sponsors who have already signed up! www.dsfoundation.org/sponsors

We sure hope you can make it. Don’t wait too long - last year’s event sold out in March. Visit our website for more info: www.dsfoundation.org/golf-2019

*This year we have discounted rates at Lansdowne for hotel rooms and spa treatments.

Helping those in our DS "family": January grants total $11,500

We are honored to be able to help these families during their times of suffering.
THANK YOU to the RSOs who reach out to us and make us aware of these situations.
THANK YOU to our donors who make sure we have the funds to help.

Here’s a list of the grants we made in January:

$5,000 to the family of a local guard at US Embassy Caracas, Venezuela, who died in a motor vehicle accident. The guard is survived by a pregnant wife and a 2 year old daughter.

$3,000 to a local guard at US Embassy Podgorica, Montenegro, to help with funeral costs for her husband who died in a motor vehicle accident.

$3,500 to the family of a local guard at US Embassy Cairo, Egypt who died unexpectedly and leaves behind a family including an 11 year old daughter.

$135K in grants made by DSF in 2018

2018 was a busy year for grants. We made 27 grants, totaling more than $112,000 to those in the DS world-wide “family” who were suffering from a hardship or need. Additionally, we were able to provide $23,000 in scholarships for rising college freshman. A big thank you to everyone who donated to DSF in 2018, your gift allowed us to help so many. Thank you! Visit our Grants page for a complete list of all of our grants.

2019 DSF Scholarship Application now available!

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DSF Scholarship application is now available! $2500 award for high school senior who is a child/grandchild/step of a DS employee/contractor (not just Special Agents), planning on attending any institute of "higher" learning (at the university, community or vocational level. Visit our website for specifics and a list of past winners. Last year we gave out $23,000 in scholarships! Deadline to apply is May 15. Award July 2019.

Area restaurants offering Shutdown Specials

And on a more fun note, here’s a list of DC restaurants that are offering Shutdown specials, from discounts to free eats. “Because some of those 800,000 workers without paychecks now lack the disposable income to go out and eat, many restaurants are also offering discounts to help keep their own businesses busy.”

http://bit.ly/DCShutdownRestaurants

Info for those affected by Shutdown

The Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund (FEEA) wants to make it easier for those affected by the shutdown to find resources that can help. They’ve created a page on their website www.feea.org/shutdown where they’re compiling articles that link to both national and regional resources and will continue adding to the list while the shutdown continues.

DSSAA Monthly Happy Hour: Today

Our partner organization, DSSAA, is hosting their first Social Hour of 2019 this Wednesday, January 16, from 5-7 pm, at the Continental in Rosslyn

Open to to all current and retired DS employees, not just members of DSSAA! Come relax, network, and see old friends outside of work.

Food and Beverages: DSSAA will be providing a limited number of appetizers. Wednesday is half-price burger day and many other specials are available. https://continentalpoollounge.com/

Parking: DSSAA has worked with DS/EX to open SA-20 parking for this event. If you have a valid DoS badge, you may park at SA-20 starting at 5pm. If you do not possess a valid DoS badge, street parking and local parking ramps are available nearby for a fee.

Come find us in the back by the bar. Hope to see you there!

DSF provides $5K to education fund for son of SA Tyler King

Our condolences to the family of Special Agent Tyler King who passed away last month. An education fund for Tyler and Adrienne’s son has been set up. Memorial contributions can be made in the form of a check to Alexander King and sent to Tri-Town Teacher’s Federal Credit Union, 61 Jesup Road, Westport, CT 06880, ATTN: Alexander King Account. DSF is making a donation of $5,000 in Tyler's memory.

$1,000 grant sent to family of Winchester Police Officer who was killed in line of duty

DSF has sent a check to support the family of Officer Hunter Edwards. On November 24, 2018 at approximately 10:50 p.m., Officer Hunter Edwards, 30, was involved in a single vehicle crash on West Jubal Drive in the City of Winchester that took his life. Officer Edwards was responding to a call of a large fight just a few blocks away on S. Loudoun Street. Officer Edwards is survived by many family members including his wife, Tara Edwards, and stepson.

The Winchester-Frederick County Law Enforcement Foundation has partnered with City National Bank to establish an honorary fund in the name of Officer Hunter Edwards. Donations are collected at the Winchester and Stephens City branches are by mail (P.O. Box 662, Winchester, VA 22604). Please write “Officer Hunter Edwards” on the subject line of the check.