The Alaska Project

This is @The98Fund's #TheAlaskaProject, a veteran-led, mentor-based retreat. Check out "Mentions"

The 98 Fund was originally founded in 2008 by members of West Point's Class of 1998. Initially focused on scholarships for the children of our Fallen, we have expanded to support veterans and their families in need and have created a mentor retreat (The Alaska Project) where we provide mentorship opportunities between families of the Fallen and those who served with their loved ones in uniform. MI

SSION: The 98 Fund raises and invests monies to provide support to veterans of the United States, their families, and their children. The intent of this fund is to show solidarity and help veterans and their families by supporting, partially or fully, their needs following service to our nation. Three Pillars of The 98 Fund:
1) Educational Support to the Children of our Fallen
2) Assistance to the Veteran and their Families
3) Mentoring retreat for Families of the Fallen (The Alaska Project)

Birth of The Alaska Project
During the lead-up to the 2018 reunion, The 98 Fund continued to evolve through the creation of the “The Alaska Project.” Based on the input provided by our surviving families on how to best provide support, we learned that financial support is always needed, but the loss of a parent leaves a hole that is hard to fill by the surviving parent. The 98 Fund’s president, Mark "Rock” DeRocchi, supported by his parents, 1SG (Retired) and Mrs. DeRocchi, led a pilot program with the eldest son of Major Paul Voelke. Together, they spent time experiencing some of the natural wonder of Alaska while learning how to build a log bridge over a creek; at the end of the week, the bridge was dedicated to Paul and stands today as a living memorial. Refined over the years since then, the core of The Alaska Project remains providing mentorship to our surviving families with volunteers that knew their loved one. In 2020, The 98 Fund purchased approximately 50 acres of rugged and undeveloped wilderness near Hatcher’s Pass, and adjacent to the property where earlier memorials had been built. Work immediately began to transform this wilderness to what will be the base camp for all future iterations of The Alaska Project. The current state of The Alaska Project
The Alaska Project is a veteran led, mentor-based retreat near Palmer, AK. Born from the realization that Gold Star and Survivor Families feel isolated after the death, The 98 Fund updated its mission from solely focusing on providing educational scholarships to providing support. In 2020, The 98 Fund purchased 50 acres to dedicate to the Project. Since The Alaska Project's first iteration in 2015, it has focused on pairing Good Star / Survivor Families with someone who knew and served with their loved one. The retreat provides a basecamp for Alaska-unique activities and facilitates time to share stories and memories about their loved one, while creating lasting memorials throughout the property. This helps create and nurture lifelong mentor opportunities, reinforces the connection between the Family and those who served with their loved one, and honors our most solemn promise that we Never Forget the Fallen. We look to partner with organizations looking to support Gold Star Families

05/17/2025

Opening up for the season! 🇺🇸🌲

Even though the volcanic eruption has postponed our Gold Star family visitors until summer 2026, the local crew showed up STRONG today—cleaning, prepping, and making sure everything is in top shape for the arrival of .

Cabins aired out and deep cleaned,
Memorial plaques lovingly hung,
Solar and generators tested and running strong,
Lawn mowed and leaves blown, and
A new railing built

Every task is done with love and intention— and creating a place of peace and remembrance for their families. We’ll be ready when the time comes.

01/07/2024

Jump over to The 98 Fund - The Alaska Project page and RSVP for this year's The Alaska Project interest meeting (FB Event) to be held on Wednesday February 7th.

FREE Registration (to receive the log-in/viewing information) is here: https://the98fund.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/the98fund/eventRegistration.jsp?event=13&

Photos from The 98 Fund - The Alaska Project's post

11/14/2023

Learn more about what we do, help support us, and get ready for the game

11/02/2023

Arizona friends and family…

Picture it: the sound of soulful melodies filling the air, a voice singing stories of love and life, sublime notes amplified and enriched by the rustic warmth of a wood mill. That, my friends, is what you can expect next Friday, Nov 10th when world renowned singer/ songwriter and guitar virtuoso W***y Porter takes the stage at Ironwoodmills in Phoenix, AZ for a concert benefiting The 98 Fund as part of a new season in the Kostal Guitars concert series.

This concert is open to the public so please spread the word and invite friends, but tickets MUST me purchased ahead of time by going the events page at the98Fund.org or by going directly to this link:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/willy-porter-live-in-concert-for-the-98-fund-tickets-736648213637?aff=oddtdtcreator

Tickets will not be sold at the door.

Ironwood Mills is home to the most unique selection of Arizona grown lumber, live edge slabs and custom art. The main function of their warehouse serves as an urban woodmill with a focus on resawing logs and repurposing them for function and beauty. But on Friday 11/10, this urban mill finds new purpose as an uniquely Phoenician concert venue. The woodmill's acoustics, however, will be one of the key elements that make this event exceptional. When searching for a new home for the kostal Guitars house concert series, I knew this space would be an amazing venue and provide music lovers with a truly unique experience!

The event itself will feature local food trucks (Matt’s Banging BBQ and Tommy’s Tacos) and a silent auction with items being graciously donated by local and national level businesses (Tuft & needle, Savidge Kitchen, Flower Bar, Citizen Public House, Brush Bar and Post & Beam) that you won’t want to miss.

All proceeds directly benefit The98fund’s Alaska Project.

Please contact me directly with any questions.

05/25/2023

Congratulations to Jessica Savidge and Savidge, Co. for winning not one, but TWO Silver Telly Awards for her work with The 98 Fund and telling the story behind The Alaska Project! In addition to her award winner video (https://youtu.be/XmvSM6ywzIs
), you can also find more of her work, and more about and on our YouTube Channel, youtube.com/

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Website

https://the98fund.org/category/the-alaska-project/

Address

N Russet Road
Palmer, AK
99645

The Alaska Project

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