Palm Coast, FL – Even after two and a half years, the loss of Lori Sullivan still impacts those who knew her. Honoring her spirit and gift of caring for others, her legacy lives on through The Lori Fund.
Raising $175,000 after a successful concert featuring The Voice TV show celebrities Kaleb Lee and Pryor Baird, silent auction and golf tournament fundraiser at Hammock Beach Resort’s ocean course in May 2021, Lori’s husband Frankie and their extended friends and family, were able to present a check for $50,000 to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation during a luncheon on Thursday, October 30, 2021.
Receiving $150,000 to date from The Lori Fund, the Special Operations Warrior Foundation is a top-rated nonprofit organization that provides fully funded education and more to the surviving children of fallen special operations personnel, as well as for the children of all Medal of Honor recipients. The foundation also provides immediate financial assistance to severely wounded and hospitalized special operations personnel.
Between the couple’s son serving as a Green Beret and Lori’s love of children as a special education teacher, the Special Operations Warrior Foundation was a perfect fit to carry on her legacy.
“We decided to support that and have done extremely well in a short period of time,” said Petruno, who serves as executive director of The Lori Fund. “We’ve donated over $365,000 in a little over two years.”
On hand to represent U.S. Congressman Michael Waltz, district director and retired Brigadier General Ernie Audio was moved by The Lori Fund’s dedication to the children of fallen service members.
“When it comes to inspiring the next generation to service bigger than themselves, I can’t think of a better way than to provide scholarships to worthy families who have lost someone in combat, so that their kids can be prepared to move on to the next challenges,” said Audino.
“Honest to goodness I couldn’t be prouder to be associated with this team,” he said. “When guys are on the battlefield, their biggest concern is not for themselves, but have I done enough for my family so that if something happens to me, they can carry on. If you can take that worry off their shoulders, they’re even better soldiers on the battlefield.”
Longtime friends of Frank and Lori say supporting the nonprofit’s mission is important to not only themselves, but their families, as well.
“Frank epitomizes a great Winston Churchill quote that I love “you make a living by what you get, but you make a life by what you give” and that’s what Frank’s doing. It’s awesome,” said John Mitchell, a family friend for more than a decade.
“It’s really pulled the community together,” he said.
“I would say exactly the same as John said, because he said it perfectly,” shared Michael Borso.
“I love Frank very much, and my family, my entire family supports The Lori Fund. We were just speaking about it. My daughter Alexis actually she sponsored the concert, and her, my wife and I are very involved in The Lori Fund. We support everything about it because of all the good that it does for the children of these fallen warriors. And it goes beyond that. It’s a group of people who have come together for a common goal which we never knew about, and it’s just unbelievable.”
Borso said Lori had an effect on everyone’s life who knew her.
“I think it’s a respect where everyone misses her dearly and misses the infectious person that she was and is to this day, and her spirit still lives on,” he said.
Described as a selfless daughter, sibling, friend, mother, and grandmother, Petruno sees The Lori Fund as a way to cherish her memory while allowing her legacy to continue serving others.
“Lori was a military mom. Our son Robert currently serves in the Special Forces in the U.S. Army. What a great way to support these families and carry on her legacy of giving back to those in need, Lori would be so proud of the charity we selected,” he said.
“My goal is to raise between a million and two million dollars over a ten year period. It helps me heal to be honest with you, because Lori was the love of my life. It keeps me alive, going strong, knowing she’d be proud of what we’re doing to keep alive. Lori was a shining light, a bright light, and I think it’s a great way for us to honor her. She touched a lot of lives.”
