An Apex family who lost a loved one fighting overseas has now set up a fund in his memory to help others.

The family of Sgt. Lance Eakes with the 1132nd Military Police Unit stationed in Rocky Mount died on April 18, 2008 in an explosion in Baghdad. Now, his family is looking to the community to give money to special foundations in his name.

One of the groups is the North Carolina National Guard Association Education Foundation or NCNGA. Any member of the National Guard and their family can apply for this scholarship and receive a $350, $750 or $950 award.

The North Carolina National Guard Soldiers and Airmen Assistance Fund or NCSAAF is another foundation to which the money will be donated. This group provides assistance for natural disasters and financial emergencies such as shelter, food, utilities, vehicle repairs and medical expenses to the families of military personnel.

Major Matt Handley with the N.C. National Guard said money for these kinds of emergencies cuts down the stress on military families.

"First of all, we have about 5,000 soldiers on alert to deploy in the next year and that's going to involve a lot of families. Occasionally, there are challenges that families have and some for these funds will be able to help out whether it some calamity that strikes a family, the differential of costs of their loved one going away. There are a host of situations that may arise." North Carolina National Guard Major Matt Handley said.

If you would like to donate you can make checks payable to Triangle Community Foundation Lance O. Eakes Memorial Fund and mail it to Lance O. Eakes Memorial Fund P.O. Box 1118 Apex, N.C 27502-1118.

For more information about how to apply or the N.C. National Guard click here.

Related Links

1. N.C. National Guard Association