Soldier’s Family Establishes Memorial Fund at IPCF
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The parents of an Army Ranger who died in action in April have chosen to honor his memory through the establishment of a memorial fund with the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation.
Kevin and Vonda Rodgers of Bloomington have established the SGT Joshua P. Rodgers Memorial Fund at IPCF to provide financial support to eligible Army 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment veteran scholarships and other charitable purposes, and support youth sports in the Bloomington-Normal area.
Sgt. Rodgers, 22, of Bloomington, was killed in action April 27, 2017 in Nangarhar Province during a joint operation with Afghan forces. Josh was assigned to Company C, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, and stationed at Fort Benning, Ga. He was on his third deployment to Afghanistan.
“The Rodgers family has experienced an outpouring of support from the community since Josh’s death,” said Greg Meyer, Executive Director of the Community Foundation. “They were looking for a way to honor his life and sought our help in developing a fund that would give back to the community and support local charities that Josh would have wanted.”
Born in Bloomington, Josh attended Northpoint Elementary, Kingsley Junior High and Normal Community High School, where he participated in football and track. After graduating from high school in May 2013, he enlisted in the U.S. Army.
“Josh loved his country, his family and friends, the military, and especially, his fellow Rangers and regiment,” said Kevin Rodgers. “Josh knew his purpose in life and was living out his dream. He was an amazing friend with a big heart. He would have approved of this fund supporting his brothers and sisters in the military and also helping kids in the community play sports.”
To support the SGT Joshua P. Rodgers Memorial Fund, donate online at www.ilprairiecf.org/sgt-joshua-p-rodgers-memorial-fund or send contributions to the fund in care of IPCF, 2401 E. Washington St., Suite 300B, Bloomington, IL 61704.
About the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation
Illinois Prairie Community Foundation, now in its 21st year, encourages and facilitates philanthropy in McLean, DeWitt, Livingston and Logan counties by connecting donors who care with causes that matter to them. The Community Foundation currently manages assets of $15 million in nearly 150 funds including endowments and donor advised, fiscal sponsorship and scholarship funds.