Frederick, Maryland; November 26, 2007: Tuscarora High School senior Josh Cooney was inspired to help others for his senior graduation project after reading about The Community Foundation of Frederick County’s 1LT Rob Seidel Wounded Soldiers Fund. Established by Bob and Sandy Seidel to honor the memory of their son Rob, who was killed in action in Iraq in May 2006, the Fund supports charities that provide direct services to military veterans of the War on Terrorism. Such services may include medical treatment, housing assistance, psychological, physical, occupational, recreational, music, and art therapies, companionship, mentoring, employment training, and any other service that will help veterans of the War.
Helping those in the armed services is a cause important to Josh, even at the young age of 17, because he, too, will join the ranks of those serving their country when he enters the U.S. Air Force after graduation in June to study and be trained in aerospace maintenance. “I have a deep respect for those who serve our country,” says Josh, “and I wanted to have a meaningful senior project for the wounded veterans of the War on Terrorism.”
Josh’s project – The 1LT Rob Seidel Wounded Soldiers Fund Poker Run – raised over $2,000 by organizing a motorcycle run where participants drew a playing card at each stop, accumulating enough cards to equal a poker hand. The person with the best hand won a variety of door prizes in 45 competitions held throughout the event on October 20. Josh encouraged additional participation by allowing cars to compete in the Poker Run.
Josh arranged for donated items from organizations participating at stop points, gathering support from the Thurmont Amvets, the Gettysburg and Williamsport Harley Davidson Clubs, Twigg Cycles in Hagerstown, Dogpatch Tavern, the U.S. Military Vets Motorcycle Club, and Red Neck Ribs, which made sure that participants were well-fed.
“Josh put a lot of effort and many miles on his car to make sure the Poker Run was a success,” say Bob and Sandy Seidel. “He did a great job. It really means a lot to us to know that young people like Josh are thinking of the men and women who are sacrificing so much for the liberties that many of us take for granted.”
Those interested in helping the troops who proudly serve the United States in the War on Terrorism may send contributions to The lLT Rob Seidel Wounded Soldiers Fund by making checks payable to The Community Foundation of Frederick County, 312 East Church Street, Frederick, MD 21701. Simply insert the Fund’s name in the check’s memo line. To donate online, visit www.cffredco.org and click on “Contribute” in the upper right hand corner. All contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
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Caption (L-R): U.S. Military Vets Motorcycle Club member Patrick Cooney with Bob Seidel as Tuscarora High School senior Josh Cooney presents the proceeds of the 1LT Rob Seidel Wounded Soldiers Fund Poker Run to Sandy Seidel and Community Foundation Trustee Scott Grove, with U.S. Military Vets Motorcycle Club member Lloyd Heimer.
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