In Honor of Robert Adam Rankin

Robert Adam Rankin, known to his family as Bobby, was one of the best people the world had to offer. Bobby was an extremely funny and caring person. He was a proud and loving cat Daddy to 2 beautiful cats, Athena and Freyja. Bobby loved his family and his navy family, video games, Renaissance festivals, and just being a goofball. Bobby also served in the United States Navy as a Petty Officer First Class. He was a nuclear electronics technician for 8 1/2 years and had just finished his time in the Navy.

Bobby, unfortunately, lost his life to suicide on May 25, 2023. This fundraiser is to honor his wonderful life and to raise awareness for Veteran mental health and suicide. The family has chosen the following charities to donate to in Bobby's name after the fundraiser. Other small charities may be added at the family's discretion.

Pounce Cat Cafe

Pounce helps shelter cats by getting them out of cages and into a friendly, loving, and comfortable space to be adopted. Our rescue cats live at Pounce until they find their furrever homes, and they are never caged or crated. Pounce typically houses between 15-20 cats at any given time, which means that there are significantly less cats at the shelter in need of care. Since our launch in December 2016, we have helped over 3,500 cats and kittens throughout South Carolina and Georgia find their furrever homes! On average, we have 1 cat adopted from our cafes every day.

Pounce was a very special place to Bobby, He met and adopted both of his sweet kitties from pounce. He loved the cafe and their mission and he adored his girls.

Black Horse Forge

Black Horse Forge was created in 2018 by Steve Hotz retired as a sergeant and served in the 325th Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. He provides much of the blacksmithing equipment and is passing down his knowledge of the craft. Steve has been Blacksmithing for 8 Years. He is also on the path to become a Journeyman Knife Maker then onto a Master Bladesmith.

Black Horse Forge Cadre are Veterans, Active Duty along with Law Enforcement. The Black Horse Forge Family consists of the students, volunteers, and talented individuals who make our mission possible. Black Horse Forge has expanded to include several affiliate forges throughout the United States. Black Horse Forge is also proud to be affiliated with the Veteran Forges in The United Kingdom and Australia.

Warriors Way Forge

Warriors Way teaches Veterans, First Responders, and their supporters different aspects of recreational Therapy with the goal of providing a sense of accomplishment, physical and mental well-being, and the Knowledge and experience to continue recreational therapy in their own communities.