On March 31, 2003, I wrote about Patrick O'Day and the tragedy of his needless death. (His tank plunged off a bridge above the Euphrates River near Nasiriyah, Iraq.)

I just found out that his family has been awarded $13,200 ($1,100 a month for a year) through Mark Cuban's Fallen Patriot Fund.

The fund seems like a good way for your dollar to go a long way. If I understand correctly (and I am confirming this with Cuban as we speak), donations will not only be matched by Mark Cuban himself (up to $1,000,000), but Bank of America will also match donations from $25 up to $5,000.

(Wow, never thought I'd have a reason to link to them :-)

O’Day will receive $13,200 (the equivalent of $1,100/month for a year) from the Foundation to assist with living expenses and the cost of raising her unborn child after her husband, Lance Corporal Patrick O’Day, 20, was killed when his tank plunged off a bridge above the Euphrates River near Nasiriyah, Iraq in March.

Lance Corporal O’Day was assigned to Charlie Company 1st Tank Battalion 7th Regiment 1st Marine Division based in 29 Palms, Calif. The couple married just days before he was deployed, and Mrs. O’Day is pregnant with their first daughter.

“When I first found out that I had been accepted for the grant I was happy and excited, but most of all relieved,” said Mrs. Oday. “I was relieved because it will help out so much for myself and my daughter Kylee. I was in the mode of not having anything to worry about, but when Patrick died everything was lost, including my sense of security. But thanks to this grant I feel a lot more secure about raising my daughter under these circumstances. I'm extremely grateful for everything.”

Here is the full text of the article in case the link goes bad:

http://www.fallenpatriotfund.org/5_22_03.html

MARK CUBAN'S FALLEN PATRIOT FUND GIVES GRANT TO FAMILY IN CA

SHINGLE SPRINGS, CA – Shauna O’Day, 19, of Shingle Springs, CA, has been selected as a grant recipient of the Fallen Patriot Fund, established on April 16 by the Mark Cuban Foundation, to help families of U.S. military personnel who were killed or seriously injured during Operation Iraqi Freedom. O’Day will receive $13,200 (the equivalent of $1,100/month for a year) from the Foundation to assist with living expenses and the cost of raising her unborn child after her husband, Lance Corporal Patrick O’Day, 20, was killed when his tank plunged off a bridge above the Euphrates River near Nasiriyah, Iraq in March.

Lance Corporal O’Day was assigned to Charlie Company 1st Tank Battalion 7th Regiment 1st Marine Division based in 29 Palms, Calif. The couple married just days before he was deployed, and Mrs. O’Day is pregnant with their first daughter.

“When I first found out that I had been accepted for the grant I was happy and excited, but most of all relieved,” said Mrs. Oday. “I was relieved because it will help out so much for myself and my daughter Kylee. I was in the mode of not having anything to worry about, but when Patrick died everything was lost, including my sense of security. But thanks to this grant I feel a lot more secure about raising my daughter under these circumstances. I'm extremely grateful for everything.”
The Mark Cuban Foundation will match donations to the Fallen Patriot Fund dollar for dollar up to $1 million. Over the past few weeks, donations have been received from 48 states and Canada. In addition, the Bank of America Foundation will match associate donations dollar for dollar from gifts of $25 up to $5,000.

Donations to the Fallen Patriot Fund can be made at any Bank of America banking centers; through the Web site at www.fallenpatriotfund.org, or mailed to the Fallen Patriot Fund, c/o Bank of America Private Bank, TX1-492-19-09, P.O. Box 832409, Dallas, Texas, 75283-2409. Additional information and grant application may be obtained through the Web site.

Financial resources are vital to enhancing the sustainability of the family unit who has suffered a loss because its loved one sacrificed him/herself for freedom. Within that group, grant recipients will be selected in accordance with criteria established by The Mark Cuban Foundation.

All proceeds will be disbursed. The Mark Cuban Foundation is a tax exempt 501(C)(3) organization, contributions to which are tax deductible. Please contact a tax advisor for further details on charitable contributions.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Gillian Breidenbach (Bank of America) 214.209.3122
Gillian.M.Breidenbach@bankofamerica.com

Dawn Holgate (Mark Cuban), 214.658.7170 (office)
214.878.2867 (mobile)
dawn.holgate@dallasmavs.com