This month we’re focusing our Charity Spotlight on a courageous young man who has recently undergone personal hardship. Patrick Rein is a recent graduate from the The Citadel, a military college in South Carolina, and has just lost his fiancée, Elizabeth.

May 7, 2011 should have been a day of commemoration for Patrick, as it was the morning of his graduation. Instead, the freshly minted cadet’s family was involved in a tragic accident. His fiancée Elizabeth, her mother and father, and their 3 year old daughter were driving along when they were hit by a speeding truck. The father was killed on site, while his fiancée passed away in the hospital. In swift response, Patrick’s classmates set up a Piryx donation page to support Rein and his injured daughter.

We at Piryx are deeply saddened by this story, and hope you take the time to support Patrick and his family. We also wish to acknowledge his fellow cadets for serving as a pillar of strength and fortitude for him during these times. Please visit here to donate to the Patrick and Isabelle Fund.