U.S. Army Reserve Soldier Raises Money to Support Auburn Football Recruit

AUBURN, Ala., Aug. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Sgt. Josiah Greene, U.S. Army Reserve soldier, is living the Army value of selfless service from afar from his station in Kosovo. The Auburn University student has raised more than $17,000 in honor of Auburn-bound student and U.S. Army All-American Bowl football player Shon Coleman and his fight against cancer.

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While stationed in Kosovo, the 25-year-old soldier who serves with a unit based at Fort Gordon, Ga., learned about Coleman's condition on the Internet while reading local Auburn news. Coleman, a standout high school offensive lineman from Mississippi who was recruited to play for Auburn, was diagnosed in March 2010 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Even though the two never met, Greene began the Shon Coleman Tribute Fund in an effort to honor Coleman's courage as he battled the disease. The fund supports St. Jude Children's Hospital where Coleman is receiving treatment.

"My biggest motivation is making a difference for people back home," Green said. "This is just one of the many impacts I have been able to make as an Army Reserve soldier."

Greene spread the word about the Shon Coleman Tribute Fund through his online social networks, and the message began to spread to other students from other universities and to former Auburn players across the NFL. Donations poured in, and to date, the fund has raised more than $17,000.

"My hope was to raise maybe $1,000," Greene said. "I found a way to set up a tribute fund through the St. Jude Web site and created the fund in his name. I posted the link to message boards, Facebook and Twitter, and within a matter of just a few days it was over $7,000."

Coleman is signed to play football at Auburn and will report for class and training in the summer of 2011 after he completes his treatments.

Greene is currently an animal science major and will return home from Kosovo later this summer to continue his education at Auburn.

About U.S. Army Accessions Command (USAAC)

The U.S. Army Accessions Command (USAAC), a subordinate command of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, meets the human resource needs of the Army by transforming volunteers into officers, warrant officers, and enlisted Soldiers.  In providing the force, the 18,400 men and women of Accessions Command prepare these future Soldiers and leaders for their initial military training. Commanded by Lt. Gen. Benjamin C. Freakley, USAAC is located at Fort Knox, Ky., and Fort Monroe, Va.

SOURCE U.S. Army