DALLAS, August 18, 2014 – Snowball Express, the Dallas-based organization, which provides service and support to children of the nation’s fallen military heroes, today announced that the Highland Capital Management Challenge Grant has officially totaled $1.7 million in donations, a new donation record for the organization.
Snowball Express will use the proceeds of the challenge grant to increase the number of Gold Star children the program serves across the U.S. to more than 8,000. The organization currently provides programs and support each year to more than 1,200 children who have lost a parent in the military.
“The Highland Capital Management Challenge Grant has been a resounding success and gives Snowball Express the ability to focus its’ efforts on serving the more than 8,000 Gold Star children who have lost a parent in the military since 9/11,” said Francis Kern, Executive Director of Snowball Express. “We are extremely grateful for what this grant will allow us to do and on behalf of the entire organization, I’d like to extend our immense gratitude to the team at Highland Capital Management for making a commitment to these children and inspiring others to do the same.”
Highland announced the challenge grant on March 13, committing to match every dollar donated to Snowball Express through Memorial Day, May 26, 2014.
“It’s vitally important that we as Americans understand the sacrifices our military families make and that we do everything we can for them in return,” James Dondero, Co-Founder and President of Highland Capital Management. “We all have a responsibility to help these children, which is why we’re so hopeful that this cause help inspire others to give as well.”
Highland Capital Management implemented the challenge grant after being inspired by the story of the Eckert family of Ohio and their mission to pay it forward.
“The Eckert family is the perfect example of how a small group of people can inspire so many to do so much,” said Mark Okada, Co-Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Highland Capital Management. “The public’s response to ‘paying it forward’ has truly been overwhelming and a blessing for gold star kids everywhere.”
Donations to Snowball Express can be provided through www.snowballexpress.org/support/donate/ or by texting “snowball” to 41444. For more information, please visit our website, www.snowballexpress.org.
About Snowball Express
Snowball Express is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that raises awareness and funds for programs that serve the children of America’s fallen military service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice since 9/11. We honor America’s fallen military service members who have died since 9/11 by humbly serving the families they left behind. We champion their children’s future success by creating opportunities for joy, friendship, and communal healing, by connecting these families to one another, as well as others inspired to support their cause.Since 2006, the mission of Snowball Express has been a simple, yet profoundly important one: Provide hope and new happy memories to the children of military fallen heroes.
About Highland Capital Management
Highland Capital Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser which, together with its affiliates, has approximately $19 billion of assets under management. Founded in 1993 by Jim Dondero and Mark Okada, Highland is one of the largest and most experienced global alternative credit managers. Highland’s strategies include collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), high yield bonds, distressed credit, public and private equities, structured products and natural resources.