Ashley Saunders of Suffolk was a recent recipient of a scholarship from the Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the education, welfare and morale of all Coast Guard members and their families.

She is the daughter of Lalona Saunders and retired Coast Guardsman Roy M. Saunders.

“We are pleased to announce that we had a record number of applicants this year and, more importantly, we proudly said ‘yes’ to every student who applied and met the qualifications,” said Anne Brengle, president, Coast Guard Foundation.

“The Foundation’s commitment to education assistance has grown over the years, and is now one of our primary areas of support for Coast Guard members and their families.”

During the last 20 years, the Coast Guard Foundation has helped family members of Coast Guard men and women achieve their dreams of higher education through its scholarship program.

In total, the Foundation has given out more

than $2.4 million and helped 249 Coast Guard children with their college costs.

For more than 40 years, the Coast Guard Foundation has been committed to inspiring leadership, learning and a proud legacy of service by supporting the men of women of the United States Coast Guard.

The Foundation provides higher education grants to enlisted members, reservists and their children; higher education financial support for families of Coast Guard members lost in the line of duty; financial relief to Coast Guard families who have lost possessions in natural disasters; and support for morale programs, including funding recreation, exercise and family-oriented facilities.

For more information on the Coast Guard Foundation, its scholarship program and other support initiatives, or to learn how to support its work, visit www.coastguardfoundation.org.