What Is Folds of Honor and How Can You Help?

Did you know that when you make a purchase from The Granite Gold Company, you’re doing a lot more than protecting your natural stone, wood, leather or other surfaces? Thanks to our partnership with Folds of Honor, you’re helping to make a huge difference in someone’s future, too. 

We’re proud supporters of Folds of Honor, a non-profit organization that provides scholarships to spouses and children of fallen or disabled U.S. military and first responders. 

Here’s how it works and why it matters. 

What Is Folds of Honor? Honoring the Sacrifice of America's Heroes

Folds of Honor is the brainchild of Lt. Col Dan Rooney, an F-16 fighter pilot in the Oklahoma Air National Guard. Returning home from his second tour of duty in Iraq, he pondered the difficulties faced by families whose loved one in uniform was fallen or disabled. Too often, they had to give up their educational dreams and aspirations, yet their families had already paid the ultimate sacrifice. That didn’t seem fair. 

More On Lt. Col. Dan Rooney

Lt. Col. Dan Rooney had two childhood dreams–to become a fighter pilot and a PGA golf professional. After playing golf at the collegiate level, he initially pursued a career as a professional golfer, but ultimately joined the U.S. Air Force to fulfill his dream of becoming an F-16 fighter pilot. Rooney completed three combat tours in Iraq and earned numerous accolades, including being a two-time Top Gun recipient. 

While returning home from his second tour, a deeply impactful experience on a commercial flight made Rooney recognize the sacrifices of military families. This inspired him to found the Folds of Honor Foundation in 2007, which provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of fallen or disabled U.S. military members and first responders. He chose the symbol of the folded flag because it represents not just the heavy price of freedom, but also hope for the future. 

Through Folds of Honor, Rooney has helped more than 44,000 families with nearly $200 million in scholarships. Today, he is celebrated as a true American patriot who has dedicated his life to honoring those who have served and empowering their families. His story exemplifies how following one's dreams can lead to an even greater calling to serve others.

A Proud Track Record

Since 2007, Folds of Honor has made a huge impact on the lives of deserving families: 

• 52,000 educational scholarships awarded
• 91% of donated funds go directly to scholarships

Granite Gold’s Partnership with Folds of Honor

Granite Gold became supporters of Folds of Honor to coincide with our 20th anniversary year back in 2022. Supporting U.S. servicemen and their families seals our own American story, which began when our grandfather Leonardo Pellegrino came to the United States from Italy in the 1950s. And three of his sons, Tony (Lenny P’s late father), Frank and John proudly served in the U.S. Air Force.

Over the generations, we’ve become as proud of our American roots and our Italian heritage, and supporting Folds of Honor allows us to make a contribution to future generations. 

Granite Gold's Commitment to Supporting Military Families

We donate a portion of the proceeds from every sale of Granite Gold, Guardsman, and MicroGold to support Folds of Honor's mission. Impacting the lives of military heroes’ spouses and children is now part of our mission, too. 

Our partnership allows us to make a tangible impact on the lives of military families. When you choose our products, you're not only protecting your home surfaces, but you're also contributing to the educational dreams of those who have sacrificed for our country.

Our commitment to Folds of Honor goes beyond just financial support. We're also dedicated to raising awareness about their important work and encouraging others to get involved. We believe that by working together, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of these deserving families.

How Can You Make a Difference?

You can choose from a wide range of products to protect your stone, quartz, ceramic tile or wood. When you decide to buy from Granite Gold, you’re choosing to protect the very foundation our nation is built on–freedom. 

You can also encourage your friends, family, and community to support Folds of Honor by sharing the organization's story and the impact it has had on countless lives.

Giving Back to Those Who Have Served

We're grateful for the support our customers have shown us in honoring the legacy of our nation's heroes. Our collective effort will continue to make a lasting impact on the lives of military families. By working together, we can ensure that the educational dreams of these deserving service members are never forgotten.

To find out more about making a direct donation to Folds of Honor, click here.