NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Business icon and New York Times Bestselling Author Bob Parsons announced a $1.5 million donation to The Headstrong Project during the organization’s annual gala on November 7 in New York City. The GoDaddy and PXG founder and U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam veteran made the surprise pledge during his acceptance of the Moral Courage Award presented by retired Marine Corps General Jim Mattis, 26th Secretary of Defense. Long-time Headstrong supporter Jake Gyllenhaal also spoke during the evening’s ceremony, which raised funds for free mental healthcare for service members, veterans and their families.
“Bob demonstrated outstanding bravery and selflessness as a young Marine Corps combat veteran, and his willingness to serve others and do what is right only grew as he made his name in business and philanthropy,” said Dan Kaepernik, CEO of The Headstrong Project. “The Headstrong Project is deeply grateful for Bob’s standout generosity, which will help fellow service members and veterans follow in his footsteps of triumphing over trauma.”
The Moral Courage Award recognizes Parsons for his extraordinary efforts to share his own experience recovering from PTSD to help reduce the stigma of struggling with mental health challenges and seeking support. Parsons served as an infantry rifleman during the Vietnam War, receiving the Purple Heart Medal, Combat Action Ribbon and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry for his actions.
Over the years, three of Parsons’ entrepreneurial ventures – Parsons Technology, which he started in 1984, GoDaddy, the world’s largest domain name registrar, and now PXG – have all been recognized by Inc Magazine as being among America’s fastest growing privately-held companies. Along with PXG, Parsons currently owns and operates a dozen other companies including The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation which he and his wife, Renee, founded to support marginalized populations, including wounded veterans and military families.
“I believe that one of the most courageous things a person can do is to ask for help. I also know it’s easier said than done,” said Bob Parsons, United States Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran and co-founder of The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. “To our nation’s active-duty military and veterans—you are not alone. The Headstrong Project is at the ready with top-notch mental health providers who understand the challenges of military service. So, be brave. Ask for their help—for yourself and for your family—so you can win your battle with PTSD and finally come home.”
Veteran founded, The Headstrong Project is a leading national mental health network for America’s military connected members and families. The organization delivers cost-free, bureaucracy-free and stigma-free evidence-based treatment with industry leading outcomes. Since 2012, Headstrong has provided more than 200,000 clinical sessions, with treatment options now available in all 50 states.
“20 years ago, my battalion lost 33 Marines, and over half our battalion was wounded in the Second Battle of Fallujah,” said Headstrong Project Co-founder and Chairman Emeritus Zach Iscol. “When we returned home, we began to lose more Marines to suicide than we had to enemy action. We founded The Headstrong Project to provide our service members and veterans with the world-class, barrier-free, and cost-free mental healthcare they need to recover from their hidden wounds and lead full and meaningful lives.”
Service members and veterans who complete Headstrong’s confidential intake form are contacted within one business day and placed in their first session with a trauma specialist within 13 days. By 2029, the organization will provide an additional quarter million clinical sessions. The Annual NYC Gala was presented by Carlisle Companies Incorporated.
Images from the evening can be found here. Photo credit: The Headstrong Project.
About The Headstrong Project
The Headstrong Project is a non-profit mental health organization providing confidential, barrier-free, and stigma-free PTSD treatment to our veterans, service members, and family connected to their care. Our goal is to help our clients “Triumph Over Trauma.” by providing them with effective mental health treatment. Headstrong’s network of clinical trauma specialists provide individualized, evidence-based outpatient care to our clients. To learn more visit theheadstrongproject.org.
