Nice story on DC’s WRC Channel 4 about one of this blog’s favorite charities, ThanksUSA.org, which provides educational scholarships for wives and children of our troops:

The big winner of a national American history treasure hunt that raises money for scholarships for military families made a visit to D.C. over the weekend.

Tom Thompson, 55, of Elmont, N.Y., came to Washington to collect a treasure chest worth $100,000. He won the prize in the first annual ThanksUSA treasure hunt game designed to support families of U.S. troops.

“We do a lot of things — arguably not enough– but we, do a lot of things to support the troops, but as a country, we really don’t do anything to support the families,” said Thompson.

The online game was created two years ago to raise scholarship money for the children and spouses of military service members.

Inside Thompson’s treasure chest were relics from around the globe, including rare coins from sunken ships, Civil War era bullets, a buckle and buttons from a soldier’s uniform and diamonds and jewels from four continents. The grand prize also included a stay at the Willard Hotel; a tour of the White House, Capitol and other District monuments; and attending a Washington Nationals game.

The hunt’s creators are sisters Rachel and Kelsi Okun of McLean, Va.

Click here for the full story.