A $2,000 donation was made to the The Mark S. "Choppa" Chopelas Youth Benefit Fund by Brandeis at the beginning of July. The fund was started by the Chopelas family in memory of Mark Chopelas, the construction worker who was killed last March falling 25 feet to his death while working on the construction site of The Village quadrangle, which opens to students today. The University was informed about the fund by Thomas Chopelas, brother of Mark.The money raised by the fund will benefit youth in Mark's home town of Malden, MA, where he was very active with youth activities.

"My brother was a coach in Malden's little leagues and children's basketball league and had a special relationship with kids," Thomas Chopelas said. "He just loved kids, we thought this was a way to make his name live on."

The Chopelas family intends to use some of the fund, which has already amassed approximately $15,000 (including Brandeis' donation), to buy a defibrillator for the Malden High School. The family also intends to donate money from the fund to Malden's little leagues. According to Thomas Chopelas, the family is uncertain of how exactly the entire fund will be allocated.

"We want to make sure the funds don't get wasted, that's for sure...we want the money to stay in Malden, to help local kids...this is something that we're going to do; its really just the beginning," Thomas Chopelas said.

According to Thomas Chopelas, excluding Brandeis' donation, most of the donations to the fund were made by individuals at a fundraiser held on May 23. Approximately 250 to 300 people attended the fundraiser, paying a $20 entrance fee per person. The family intends to hold a similar fundraiser each year. Next year's fundraiser will be on Feb. 21. It is likely that the Chopelas family will ask Brandeis to donate to the fund each year.

"It was a very generous donation," Thomas Chopelas said. "I'll be looking for a donation every year, not necessarily one for $2000."

John Hose, Executive Assistant to the President and Associate V.P. for University Affairs said that President Reinharz made the decision to make a donation of $2000 to the memorial fund.

Hose believes that it will be a one-time donation: "Memorial funds of this sort are generally of a one-time nature," he said.

"We think it's an appropriate thing to do under the circumstances," Hose said. "It's a terrible tragedy for a young man...while we all recognize that construction can be dangerous, it's a terrible tragedy; it hit everybody pretty hard."

Hose also said that the fund's purpose is an "appropriate way for his family to memorialize him," especially since Mark was active in youth activities.

Thomas Chopelas also contacted the William A. Berry and Son Construction Company to make a donation to the fund.

The Chopelas family has not yet received a donation, and has been in communication with the company.

The death of Chopelas is the first accidental death in the history of the William A. Berry and Son Construction Company.

"The Company has been and continues to be profoundly affected by the death of Mark Chopelas. The loss of life is always difficult, but for someone young and energetic it is especially difficult," said David Passafaro, Vice President and Director of Business Development at William A. Berry & Son, Inc.

Berry intends to possibly cover the cost of next years fundraising event.

"William A Berry & Son Inc. intends to contribute to the event and in addition the Berry Foundation, the employee funded and managed charitable foundation, will also contribute to the effort," said Passafaro.

"We will look to (the Chopelas family) in the fall to find out how we could best participate," he said.