BISMARCK, N.D. — The North Dakota Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (ND-TAPS) received a donation in April from Century 21 Morrison Realty in Bismarck. The amount donated of more than $1,000 will go toward the TAPS program under the North Dakota National Guard Foundation. The money will be used to help Families of the fallen heal and grieve from their loss of a service member in North Dakota.

Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general, during a Century 21 board meeting and said, “Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness on behalf of our Soldiers and Airmen serving overseas. Your thoughtfulness in looking out for our Guard Families and their loved ones is inspiring to me and to our community and I am humbled at your contribution to our TAPS program.”

Century 21 Morrison Realty was the business that gathered the donations a the Home Builders Show at the Bismarck Civic Center. They gave away red, white and blue wrist bands for donations. Century 21 Morrison Realty donated a check for $500. The remaining donations were checks from various individuals and also included some cash donations.

The North Dakota Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (ND-TAPS) and the North Dakota National Guard Emergency Relief Fund (ERF). ND-TAPS supports the national TAPS initiative. The funds are used to assist with transportation costs for Families of fallen service members as they travel to Washington, D.C., to participate in the annual national TAPS program on Memorial Day weekend, which is a great event to help family members connect with others who are also going through the same pain and healing process.

The North Dakota National Guard ERF program provides financial support in sudden and unforeseen emergency situations for North Dakota National Guard members and their Families, who may be facing illness, accident recovery, fire, theft or natural disasters.

As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, the North Dakota National Guard Foundation has no paid employees and hires no professional fundraisers. It relies on volunteer assistance and donations from those concerned about military members and their families. For more information, contact Holly Gaugler at 701-333-2079 or holly.gaugler@us.army.mil or visit N.D. National Guard Foundation website for more information.

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Since the 2001 terrorist attacks on America, the North Dakota National Guard has mobilized more than 3,800 Soldiers and more than 1,800 Airmen in support of the Global War on Terrorism. About 70 percent of all members serving today have joined since that time. Currently, nearly 400 North Dakota Guardsmen are serving overseas while about 4,000 remain in the state for emergency response and national defense. For every 10,000 citizens in North Dakota, 65 serve in the North Dakota National Guard, a rate that’s more than four times the national average.