The family of fallen Wading River soldier Sergeant Jonathan M. Keller yesterday announced a partnership with United Way of Long Island that will allow donations to the Sergeant Jonathan M. Keller Memorial Fund to be tax-deductible. The memorial fund provides annual scholarships to graduates of Shoreham-Wading River High School.
“We are extremely grateful to United Way of Long Island, and to family and friends who have generously donated to ensure local students, like Jonathan, can follow their dreams,” said Marty Keller, Jonathan’s father and a resident of Wading River.
A 1998 graduate of Shoreham-Wading River High School, Jonathan Keller’s love for his country inspired his service in the U.S. military after 9/11. Sgt. Keller was wounded in a firefight while patrolling the Afghanistan-Pakistan border while he was deployed with the U.S. Army’s 172nd Airborne division. He died on January 24, 2009.
Jonathan’s cousin, Geoff Keller, founded the scholarship fund in 2009. Since then, donations from the local Veterans of Foreign Wars, Knights of Columbus, and community sports tournaments have allowed the Keller family to award more than $10,000 to graduating seniors of Shoreham-Wading River High School.
The family reviews each application and personally grants the scholarships every spring. The Keller family will award several $1,000 scholarships to 2015 graduates of Shoreham-Wading River High School in June.
The family said in a press release it hopes the modest awards help to inspire young people to follow their dreams, as Jonathan did, and will keep Jonathan’s memory alive in the community.
“United Way of Long Island is proud to support the Sergeant Keller Memorial Fund and is proud to support military families across Long Island through our Military Family Assistance/VetsBuild Project,” said Theresa Regnante, president and CEO of United Way of Long Island. “The Military Family Assistance/VetsBuild Project incorporates a five-star approach to helping veterans in the areas of emergency financial assistance, career development, employment linkages, veteran’s resources and case management services. All services at no cost to the veteran.”
To make a tax-deductible donation to the Sergeant Jonathan M. Keller Memorial Fund, please visit www.unitedwayli.org and, using the online donation form, indicate that the donation should be directed toward the Sergeant Jonathan M. Keller Memorial Fund.
Source: Press release from Sergeant Jonathan M. Keller Memorial Fund issued May 25, 2015.
The survival of local journalism depends on your support.
We are a small family-owned operation. You rely on us to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Just a few dollars can help us continue to bring this important service to our community.
Support RiverheadLOCAL today.
