Christian Golcinzski was the first child to be sponsored by A Soldier’s Child, which was inspired by the loss of his father.
Spotlight: A Soldier’s Child Foundation
A Soldier’s Child Foundation is a Tennessee non-profit organization that dedicates its funds to providing birthday parties and scholarships to the children of fallen soldiers.
Daryl Mackin, a former Blackman culinary arts teacher, founded the organization after losing his friend Marc Golczynski, a soldier and father, in combat. Mackin wanted to do something for Christian Golczynski, Marc’s son, which led to him hosting a birthday party for the boy.
Today, A Soldier’s Child Foundation serves over 2,000 children across the United States, Puerto Rico, and Guam. The organization has three main services: providing presents, summer camps, and scholarships for the children. To qualify for these programs, the children must have lost a parent or guardian who passed away because of military service.
Lake Summar, a Blackman Voice and Blackman High alumnus, is now a core member of the ASC team as the office manager. She began her journey with A Soldier’s Child as a volunteer. After graduating Blackman High in 2011, she went on to receive a BBA in Entrepreneurship/Small Business Management at MTSU.
“As long as I can remember, I have always wanted to work in the nonprofit sector, originally wanting to start my own nonprofit. After college and research, I felt that there were already so many great causes and that my talents and time would be put to better use to join a foundation that was already meeting a need,” stated Summar.
You can contribute to A Soldier’s Child many ways, such as donating or sponsoring a child. For more information on how to get involved, visit www.asoldierschild.org.