Our Story
The inspiration for A Soldier's Child Foundation came while Daryl Mackin, Founder & Executive Director, was preparing for his own 6-year-old son’s surprise birthday party. Like most parents, he was easily caught up in all the “chores” required to pull off the birthday celebration.
The inspiration for A Soldier’s Child Foundation came while Daryl Mackin, Founder & Executive Director, was preparing for his own 6-year-old son’s surprise birthday party. Like most parents, he was easily caught up in all the “chores” required to pull off the birthday celebration.
I quickly lost sight of the joy of the moment,” says Mackin. “I was sitting at my computer at work, where on my wall I have a memorial of Staff Sgt. Marc Golczynski. Marc is the son of my previous neighbors, Henry and Fay Golczynski, and a fallen soldier of the Iraq war. I also have a very moving picture of Marc’s son Christian receiving his father’s flag. This photo by Aaron Thompson won the AP Managing Editor’s Photo of the Year. It went all over the world. “As I finished typing out my son’s invitations and gave a big sigh of frustration, I looked up at my wall and was immediately convicted in my spirit for my negative attitude. My heart turned to Christian Golczynski, who will never be able to have a party planned by his dad.”
There are many children like Christian that will never receive another birthday gift from their father/mother because they gave their life while defending our freedoms. Likewise, the fallen soldier will never be able to give their child a surprise birthday party, a bicycle for their son, a necklace for their daughter, financial assistance for their child’s first car, or pursuit of higher education.
ASC's very first birthday celebration with Christian Golczynski on his 10th birthday June 2nd, 2008.
Daryl Mackin celebrating Cristian Golczynski's 18th birthday May 18th, 2016.
U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Marcus Andrew “Marc” Golczynski (Christian’s father) wrote this in a letter to his mother shortly before he died in combat:
This is the intention of A Soldier’s Child Foundation (ASC).
As citizens of the United States of America, we are forever indebted to the men and women who so unselfishly protect our freedoms. It is our objective to communicate through ASC to the children left behind that the memory of their parent will not fade away. We want them to know that there are many Americans who are forever grateful for their parent’s sacrifice.
With humbleness of heart, we aim to honor the memory of the parent by giving a meaningful gift to his/her children on their birthday. Christian Golczynski was the first child to receive a gift from ASC, and our goal is to reach every soldier’s child, adopting them into the foundation until they are of adult age. We cannot substitute the bond and love of the parent that is forever gone, but with your help we can show them that we really do care.