Funds will help bridge Post 9/11 GI Bill gaps for Illinois military familiesil
CHICAGO – Illinois Patriot Education Fund (IPEF) announced today that it has awarded $9,000 in scholarship support to the Pat Tillman Foundation (PTF). The award is one of several being made by IPEF this year as a result of its 2011 fundraising efforts.
In 2011, the Illinois Patriot Education Fund identified the Pat Tillman Foundation as one of its inaugural charity partners. Established in 2004, following Pat Tillman’s death while serving with the U.S. Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment in Afghanistan, the Foundation is a national leader in providing educational support and resources to veterans and their spouses. Inspired by Tillman’s attributes of leadership, passion for education and spirit of service, the Pat Tillman Foundation annually awards educational scholarships through the Tillman Military Scholars program.
Created in 2009, the program is dedicated to supporting educational opportunities for veterans, service members and their spouses by filling the financial gaps in the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. Recognizing the unique needs of these non-traditional students, the Tillman Military Scholars program covers direct study-related expenses such as tuition, fees, books, room and board and other basic needs, including transportation and child care.
The contribution from IPEF was raised during its 2011 fundraising efforts to support Tillman Military Scholars with connections to the state of Illinois. IPEF’s mission is to provide financial assistance to support the educational journey for Illinois military service men and women who have given their lives or become disabled in service to our country and their families. IPEF encompasses early education (K-12) through advanced, collegiate educational needs. IPEF also supports the education of active duty members of our Armed Services over and above the benefits provided by the Post-911 GI Bill.
Technical Sergeant David Glass of Oak Forest, Ill., is one of sixty veterans welcomed to the Tillman Community as a member of the third class of Tillman Military Scholars in June 2011. After completing 10 years of active duty service, including four overseas deployments as an Air Force pararescuman, David is currently pursuing his Doctor of Medicine, Trauma Surgery and Rural Medicine at the University of Illinois. Originally accepted to medical school in December 2010, David volunteered for one last tour in Afghanistan before starting his studies this past August.
“The Pat Tillman Foundation is proud to partner with the Illinois Patriot Education Fund to provide educational support to veterans and military spouses in the state of Illinois and we are honored to be selected to receive funds raised through its efforts,” Marie Tillman, President of the Pat Tillman Foundation explains. “It is through the generosity of our donors like IPEF that we are able to directly impact the lives of Tillman Military Scholars by providing the financial and educational resources needed to prevent undeserved debt, increase economic stability and establish a foundation for greater career opportunities.”
“We appreciate the important work that The Pat Tillman Foundation continues to pursue within the State of Illinois, providing individuals such as Sgt. Glass with continued support towards their educational efforts,” said Mark Slaby, founder and executive director of Illinois Patriot Education Fund. “We look forward to continuing our partnership as we continue to help our Illinois military families.”
This donation was made in honor of the three children left behind by U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Andrew R. Pokorny (30) of Naperville, Ill., who was killed June 13, 2003, in Operation Iraqi Freedom during an accident in his armored personnel carrier near Al Asad while returning from patrol. Pokorny and Slaby were high school friends, both having attended Naperville North High School.
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About the Illinois Patriot Education Fund
The Illinois Patriot Education Fund is a 501(c)(3) based in Chicago, whose mission is to raise scholarship funds on behalf of the spouses and children of Illinois military service men and women who have given their lives or become disabled in service to our country. IPEF encompasses early education (K-12) through advanced, collegiate educational needs. IPEF also supports the education of active duty members of our Armed Services over and above the benefits provided by the Post-911 GI Bill. For more information please visit or official website www.illinoispatrioteducationfund.org or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ILPatriotriotEdFund or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ILPatriotEdFund for the latest updates.