01/13/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/13/2025 13:20
DENVER - For the ninth year in a row, Sport Clips Haircuts presented a check to the VFW Foundation for more than $1M toward Help A Hero Scholarships for veterans, the largest veterans' scholarship program of its kind. The donation presentation was held at VFW Post 1 in downtown Denver, known for its historic significance and dedication to honoring and empowering those who have served, where free haircuts for local veterans were part of the event.
Veteran-founded Sport Clips launched the Help A Hero Scholarship program in 2013 to be administered by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). It affords service members and veterans support for education needed in post-military careers when G.I. Bill funds are often exhausted.
"Help A Hero recipients tell us these scholarships lighten the financial burden of additional education following their service and allows them to focus more on their studies and less on financial concerns. It's one of the primary reasons Sport Clips started the program," said Gordon Logan, Air Force veteran, VFW Life member, and founder and chairman of Sport Clips. "It's something we hear from numerous grateful veterans, even though the gratitude is ours for their sacrifice and service."
"We're proud to partner with Sport Clips and its team members in making a positive difference in the lives of veterans," said VFW National Commander Al Lipphardt. "The VFW recently announced 161 student veterans, including active duty and Reserves, received a total of $741,000 in Help A Hero Scholarships for the current semester ... proof these funds are hard at work supporting those who've served."
The check presentation in Denver was also an opportunity to thank the local McMurdo family that has multiple Sport Clips locations in Colorado and hosts an annual golf tournament at Castle Rock to benefit Help A Hero Scholarships. The family's work has generated nearly four hundred thousand dollars in donations to the program over seven years.
Logan also credits stylists, clients, and product partners for being on the front lines of fundraising for the annual program that has awarded $15.8 million in scholarships to more than 3,227 student veterans. Almost 20 percent of this year's donation was from Sport Clips store owners across the country who committed $2 per haircut service on Veterans Day, while clients, individual supporters, and Sport Clips team members gave the most generous portion of money raised in stores and online. Sport Clips product partners Direct Beauty Express, John Paul Mitchell Systems, Sexy Hair, Gibs Grooming, Actiiv, and American Crew also made substantial contributions.
The application period for fall 2025 Help A Hero Scholarships is open now through April 30 to receive up to $5,000 of assistance per semester, per family for service members and veterans in the rank of E-5 and below. To find out more, visit your local Sport Clips, SportClips.com/hero or vfw.org/Scholarship.
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