|
DALLAS –
Army Sergeant Mark McKane, Army Sergeant Lonnie Maynard, Navy Corpsman Brian
Alaniz and Jennifer Laskowski, widow of Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Matthew
Laskowski, have been selected as grant recipients of the Fallen Patriot
Fund, established on April 16, 2003, by the Mark Cuban Foundation, to help
families of U.S. military personnel who were killed or seriously injured during
Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Army Sergeant Mark McKane, 24, Elgin, Texas
Sgt McKane received $15,000 from the Fund to assist with living expenses after
he suffered the loss of his left arm, gastrointestinal bleeding, a hematoma on
the back of the head, narrowing of the L5 vertebrae, a concussion, dental trauma
and two collapsed lungs when he was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade on the
highway between Fallujah and Baghdad, Iraq, on April 7, 2004.
Sgt McKane was assigned to Alpha Battery, 4-5 ADA, 1st Cavalry Division out of
Fort Hood, Texas.
“The Fund was exactly what I needed,” said Sgt McKane. “I was living in my
niece’s room for seven months because I had nowhere else to go. I was considered
unemployable by workman’s compensation and receiving benefits from the VA was a
slow process. The Fund ensured that I was able to make ends meet during this
transition period.”
Army Sergeant Lonnie Maynard, 31, Independence, Mo.
Sgt Maynard, his wife, Kym, 31, and children Logan, 9, Kameren, 9, Matthew, 7,
Keiffer, 2, received $2,500 from the Fund to assist with their house payment
after he was injured when an insurgent deliberately rammed into his vehicle
while he was on patrol, causing a lot of damage to the humvee and injuring
Lonnie in Iraq in Sept. 2003. Maynard sustained debilitating back injury that
causes extreme pain on a daily basis.
Sgt Maynard was with the 1139th Military Police Company out of Harrisonville,
Mo., but was attached to the 82nd Airborne at the time of the incident.
"Having this money has finally given me the opportunity to concentrate on my
family instead of whether or not we were going to be homeless before the
Holidays,” said Sgt Maynard. “Now I can actually enjoy being home since I was
gone last year, and still be in my home and not on the streets."
Navy Corpsman Brian Alaniz, 30, Austin, Texas
Navy Corpsman Alaniz, his wife, Ammi, 22, and their five-month-old daughter
Haleigh Bryanna received $15,000 from the Fund to assist with living expenses
after he stepped on a landmine on a road to Basra when he went to provide
medical assistance to a fallen Marine who also stepped on a landmine. Alaniz
sustained a below-the-knee amputation of his right leg as well as multiple
shrapnel injuries.
Navy Corpsman Alaniz was assigned to the 1st Marine Division, 3rd Battalion, 7th
Marines out of 29 Palms, Calif.
"I just want to express how much this assistance will help our family and how
much of a struggle it's been to try and make ends meet,” said Navy Corpsman
Alaniz. “Organizations like The Fallen Patriot Fund are a Godsend. Thank you for
everything you stand for."
Jennifer Laskowski, 32, Phoenix, widow of Army Chief Warrant Officer 2
Matthew Laskowski, 32
Laskowski received $15,000 from the Fund to assist with raising her daughters,
Isabel, 6, and Aniela, 2, after her husband, CWO2 Laskowski died in Habbinayah,
Iraq, when the OH-58 helicopter in which he was flying crashed on February 25,
2004.
CWO2 Laskowski was assigned to the 4th Squadron, Outlaw Troop, 3rd Armored
Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Col.
“I do not know how to begin how to express my deep appreciation of this
recognition and generous gift from the Mark Cuban Foundation and Fallen Patriot
Fund,” said Jennifer Laskowski. “We are truly blessed and we feel very honored.
This precious gift will help our situation be a little easier and assist me with
providing a home of our own for my girls. I wish a safe and happy holiday to all
and God Bless you all.”
About the Fallen Patriot Fund
The fund has approved more than $865,000 in grants to 46 families across the
United States since its inception. Donations are still being accepted and can be
made at any of the 5,700 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, 2003, donations have been received
from 48 states, Canada and Italy. In addition, the Bank of America Foundation
will match employee 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.
The fund has
approved more than $805,000 in grants to 41 families across the United States
since its inception. Donations are still being accepted and can be made at any
of the 5,700 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.
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
|
