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WASHINGTON D.C. (January 28, 2008) - Servicemembers from the Tar
Heel state who face financial burdens can turn to a newly
established fund for assistance.
The North Carolina Heroes' Fund was established to provide
support to military men and women from North Carolina or stationed
at one of North Carolina's many military bases, said Scott Stone,
the fund's chairman.
"This support is primarily centered on hardships which these men
and women, or their families, may have endured due to their service
overseas," he said.
The assistance is provided through various methods, including
direct payments or coordinating volunteer efforts. Family members
also can benefit from cash payments for financial needs, Stone
said.
As resources allow, academic scholarships will be available to
dependents of North Carolina's servicemembers, with special
consideration for children of servicemembers killed in action,
according the fund's Web site.
Initial reaction to the new fund has been positive, Stone added.
"We have already seen widespread support of the organization,"
Stone said of the fund, which has a first-year goal of raising
$500,000. "Between some of the commitments we have already received
from corporate sponsors as well as private individuals, we are
confident that the North Carolina Heroes' Fund will be able to
raise a substantial amount of money."
The North Carolina Heroes' Fund recently became a supporter of
America supports You, a Defense Department program connecting
citizens and corporations with military personnel and their
families serving at home and abroad.
"One of the greatest challenges is spreading the word of our
organization, particularly to potential grant recipients," Stone
said. "Often those soldiers in need or their families are either
reluctant to ask for help or don't know where to turn for
assistance."
Stone said he hopes his group's affiliation with America
Supports You will help spread the word.
Editor's Note: To find out about more individuals,
groups and organizations that are helping support the troops,
visit www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil. America
Supports You directly connects military members to the support of
the America people and offers a tool to the general public in their
quest to find meaningful ways to support the military
community.
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