Illinois Patriot Education Fund Partners with Pat Tillman Foundation

Funds will help bridge Post-9/11 GI Bill gaps for Illinois military families

CHICAGO –Illinois Patriot Education Fund (IPEF) announced 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 2012 fundraising efforts. The two organizations began their partnership in 2011.

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. Applications for the 2013 program are being accepted from Jan. 14 through Feb. 15, 2013, via its website.

The contribution from IPEF was raised during its 2012 fundraising efforts and is earmarked to support Tillman Military Scholars with connections to the state of Illinois. IPEF’s mission is to provide educational financial assistance to support Illinois military families. IPEF is a registered 501(c)(3) that supplements educational needs beyond benefits provided by the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Those benefits include school supplies and materials, professional tutoring programs, funding to help offset charter school costs, and scholarships.

“The Pat Tillman Foundation is honored to continue its strong partnership with the Illinois Patriot Education Fund to provide educational support to veterans and military spouses in the state of Illinois and we are humbled to be selected to receive funds raised through its efforts,” said

Marie Tillman Shenton, President of the Pat Tillman Foundation. “It is through the generosity of donors like IPEF that we are able further the Tillman Military Scholars program and impact lives by providing the financial and educational resources needed to prevent undeserved debt, increase economic stability and establish a foundation for greater career opportunities.”

“The Pat Tillman Foundation and its Tillman Military Scholars program are very worthy of our ongoing support and an important educational effort we all need to make on behalf of our Illinois military families,” said Mark Slaby, founder and executive director of Illinois Patriot Education Fund. “We look forward to continuing our partnership as we stand together as an educational resource for those who have given so much for all of us.”

This donation was made in honor of Marine Corp. Anthony Mihalo of Naperville, Ill. Mihalo was a five-time Purple Heart recipient killed in Afghanistan in 2008 during his third tour of duty. He was a graduate of Naperville North High School. The 2011 senior class gifted the school with a memorial Peace Garden in May 2011 to honor Mihalo and fellow graduate Staff Sgt. Andrew Pokorny, who earned the soldier’s medal and lost his life in Iraq in 2003 while trying to save a fellow soldier. IPEF founder Mark Slaby was a high school friend of Pokorny’s and also graduated from Naperville North.

IPEF receives 100 percent of its funding through individual and corporate donations via its website and at its fundraising events, including the upcoming Medinah Patriot Day, to be held Tuesday, May 28, 2013, at the legendary Medinah Country Club, home of the 2012 Ryder Cup. The event will be held on Course #2, designed by famed architect Tom Bendelow and ranked #15 in the state of Illinois. For more information about sponsorships or securing a foursome, please visit www.medinahpatriotday.com.

About the Illinois Patriot Education Fund

The Illinois Patriot Education Fund is a 501(c)(3) based in Chicago, whose mission is to provide educational financial assistance to support Illinois military families. IPEF is a registered 501(c)(3) that supplements educational needs beyond benefits provided by the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Those benefits include school supplies and materials, professional tutoring programs, funding to help offset charter school costs, and scholarships. For more information please visit the 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.

About the Pat Tillman Foundation

Family and friends established the Pat Tillman Foundation following Pat’s death in 2004 while serving with the 75th Ranger Regiment in Afghanistan. Created to honor Pat’s legacy and pay tribute to his commitment to leadership and service, the Pat Tillman Foundation is a national leader in providing educational support and resources to veterans, active servicemembers and their spouses. Inspired by Pat’s attributes of leadership, passion for education and spirit of service, the Foundation annually awards educational scholarships through the Tillman Military Scholars program. Since the Foundation’s inception, over $5 million in educational support has been invested in individuals committed to a life of service both in and out of uniform, including over $3.2 million awarded to 230 Tillman Military Scholars nationwide. For more information, visit www.pattillmanfoundation.org. For more information on the Tillman Military Scholars program, click here.