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DALLAS – Deborah May, 39, of Twentynine Palms, Calif., 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. May will receive $15,000 from the Foundation to assist with raising her three children, Mariah, 7, Jack, 2, and William, three months old (born after his father’s death). Her husband, Marine Staff Sgt. Donald May, Jr., 31, was killed in action while conducting convoy operations near the Euphrates River in Iraq on March 25.
Donald May, Jr. was assigned to the 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, Calif. May joined the Marines to follow in his father’s footsteps as a tank commander. Donald May, Sr., was a tank commander during the Vietnam War. In November, Deborah May and her children plan to relocate to Jacksonville, N.C., the place she and Donald first met.
“I’m amazed at the outpouring of everyone,” said Deborah May. “It is one thing to say you’re going to do something and another to actually to set up a fund and make sure the money gets to the families. I am very grateful for this grant, it is going to come in handy for our family. God bless Mark Cuban.”
Donations to the Fallen Patriot Fund are still being accepted and can be made at any of the 4,200 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.
The Mark Cuban Foundation will match donations to the Fallen Patriot Fund dollar for dollar up to $1 million. Since April 16 donations have been received from 48 states and Canada. In addition, the Bank of America Foundation will match their associate’s donations dollar for dollar from gifts of $25 up to $5,000.
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
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