1LT Robert F. Welch III Charity
The 1LT Robert F. Welch III Run for our Heroes Race was created by Becky Welch in an effort to preserve the memory of her late husband, 26 year-old Army 1LT Rob Welch III, who was killed in Afghanistan on 3 April 2011. Her goal was to pay tribute to her husband and other Fallen Soldiers, as well as use the event to say thank you to those military currently serving, local Veterans, Firemen, and Police officers. With the support of family, friends, and community members, the first annual Run for our Heroes Race took place on 14 April 2012 marking Welch’s 1 year “Angel”versary. Ever since, the event is held every year on the Saturday in April closest to 1LT Welch's "Angel"versary date. Proceeds from the event benefit the 1LT Robert F. Welch III charitable foundation  to help support the needs of local veterans, fire departments, police departments, and Gold Star families. With the money raised in the events first two years, we were able to establish the 1LT Robert F. Welch III Memorial Endowment within the Wylie ISD Education Foundation to a yearly scholarship to be awarded to a deserving high school student from Wylie High School and Wylie East High School who exemplify the tenets of community service. In past years, the Charity have been able to begin funding other donations m supporting the local American Legion, the Wylie Police Department K-9 unit, assisting families of fallen soldiers, and support of the local Veterans food pantry. Robby Welch was an early supporter of the DFW GI JOE Collector Club while in college and before his deployment. The DFW GI JOE Collector Club is very proud to have assisted the Charity in every race held and supported their gala events for several years. Additional information on the 1LT Robert F. Welch III Run for our Heroes Race and the Charity can be found at- https://www.1ltwelchrunforourheroes.org/about.html.