(pictured left to right) Hope For The Warriors CEO Robin Kelleher and Hope For The Warriors Gary Sinise Community Service Award Winner, Stirling Collins.
JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (August 30, 2022) – Weston resident Stirling Collins was recently named a recipient of the Gary Sinise Community Service Award at the Hope For The Warriors Summer Soiree.
Presented by World Series champions Johnny Bench and Doug Flynn, Collins received the Gary Sinise Community Service Award, which is awarded to an individual who puts his or her patriotism in action to serve military families and raise awareness of the needs of the military community.
The annual Summer Soiree at River Landing Country Club in Wallace, North Carolina honored three members of our nation’s armed forces and their families with the Vigiano Family Hope & Courage Awards, in addition to honoring individuals, corporations and organizations which have stood beside the organization in serving military families.
“I think everyone on our staff would describe Stirling as humble and generous,” said Robin Kelleher, Hope For The Warriors co-founder and CEO. “Whether it be his time, connections or monetary support, he has a passion for advocating for military families and we’re honored to award him the Gary Sinise Community Service Award.”
“I am humbled and honored to be recognized by Hope For The Warriors,” shares Collins. “I was introduced to HOPE by my dear friend and mentor Harry Bridgwood 12 years ago, my first thought was what can I do to help. From that initial introduction was born the annual New York Sporting Clays event which I am very proud to say has grown to one of the largest and most successful such events (for Hope For The Warriors) in the New York region.
“What has been truly inspirational is the support from friends and colleagues asking what they can do. Now, we have the annual motorcycle ride hosted by my friend Michael Nehlsen from Hillman Consulting, the annual Striped Bass Fishing Tournament on the Hudson hosted by my friends Bernie Ruff from Broadway Builders and his wife Linda and new this September a Cornhole Tournament hosted by Champion Elevator and BLT Building and Land Technology.”
For over 10 years, Collins has been an advocate for Hope For The Warriors in the New York region and volunteering for the nonprofit’s Military Spouse and Caregiver Scholarship Program.
In addition, he has organized a clay shoot at Orvis Sandanona in Millbrook, New York. The annual event raises funds for Hope For The Warriors while hosting service members and veterans supporting their rehabilitation and mental health.
New this year, Collins assisted Bernie Ruff with organizing a striped bass fishing tournament on the Hudson River hosting over 75 participants, including service members and veterans. Altogether, his efforts have raised over half a million for Hope For The Warriors and its programs.
As a third-generation elevator industry professional, Collins began his career in 1990 at Martin Elevator, his family’s 90-year-old business. Today, he is a partner at Champion Elevator Corp. based in the greater New York metro area.
Collin’s along with his wife Lisa reside in Weston, Connecticut.
For more information on Hope For The Warriors visit, hopeforthewarriors.org.
About Hope For The Warriors: Founded in 2006, Hope For The Warriors is a national nonprofit dedicated to restoring a sense of self, family and hope for post-9/11 veterans, service members and military families. Since its inception, Hope For The Warriors has served over 40,000 through a variety of support programs focused on health and wellness, sports and recreation and transition. One of the nonprofit’s first programs, Military Spouse and Caregiver Scholarships, has awarded 192 scholarships to caregivers and families of the fallen. For more information, visit hopeforthewarriors.org, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
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