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Community Corner

LT. DENNIS W. ZILINSKI MEMORIAL FUND DONATES FUNDS FOR PEMBERTON TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS Funds To Buy Books To Help Children Cope With a Parent's Deployment

Pemberton Township, NJ (Wednesday, January 8, 2014) -- Representatives of the Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II Memorial Fund recently visited the Pemberton Early Childhood Education Center [PECEC] to make a special donation of $1,000 toward the purchase of books for children whose parents are deployed service members.  The books will be used in a number of Pemberton Township schools including the Pemberton Early Childhood Education Center, Fort Dix Elementary School, and Aletta Crichton School.

The fund was created and founded in 2006 in order to honor local resident 1st Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II, United States Army, who was killed in action while deployed in Iraq on November 19, 2005.

“Many of our children have parents from nearby military installations that have been deployed,” explained PECEC Preschool Teacher Sharon Donnelly. “There are numerous books available to help younger children cope with the reality of a parent’s deployment and their feelings about it.”

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Donnelly and colleague Michelle Walker, a community parent involvement specialist at PECEC, were discussing the possibility of applying for a grant to purchase these books when Donnelly suggested they reach out to the Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II Memorial Fund.  Donnelly’s son Wes was good friends with Lt. Dennis Zilinski from their days on the Red Bank Swim Team and Christian Brothers Academy.

“When Sharon, who is a family friend, called me and explained the need for these books, our board was delighted to help,” said Marion Zilinski, co-founder of the fund and mother of Lt. Zilinski.  “It’s critical that these children have an outlet to emote when they’re going through a separation with their parent or loved one.”

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Following the check presentation, Captain Matthew Zilinski, brother of Lt. Dennis Zilinski and a member of the Second Battalion 254th Training Regiment at Sea Girt, read a book about a dad who was deployed aloud to the children.  Said Captain Zilinski, “I was particularly touched by this donation in my brother’s memory because I have a child of my own, and I know how difficult a deployment can be on a family, especially children.”

About the Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski Memorial Fund:

Lt. Dennis Zilinski II grew up in Middletown, NJ and graduated from Christian Brothers Academy, where he was a member of the swim team.  He received his nomination to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point and graduated in 2004.  He also completed Airborne School while a student at West Point.

After graduation from Ranger School, he was assigned to the 1/187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) “Rakkasan”.  He deployed with the 101st Airborne Division on September 17, 2005.  Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski, II died in Iraq on November 19, 2005 as a result of a roadside bombing near Bayji, 155 miles north of Baghdad.  Lt. Zilinski’s medals include: Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Global War on Terror,  Iraq Campaign Service Medal and the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal.

As an act of that love, Dennis’ family and friends founded The Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski, II Memorial Fund, whose mission is to continue to serve and assist returning men and women who were wounded in service to our nation. The fund also supports scholarships at CBA.

For more information please visit: www.runwithdennis.org or email RunwithDennis@yahoo.com.


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