COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — The founder of a Columbia-based nonprofit says the group raised about $10,000 in an hour when it learned the government shutdown was affecting military death benefits for a Wisconsin soldier killed in Afghanistan.The Columbia Daily Tribune reports (http://bit.ly/17XmGWn ) that when the federal government is fully functioning, the family of a fallen soldier receives a $100,000 gratuity, payment of funeral expenses and transportation to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, where bodies are returned. But because of the government shutdown those benefits weren't being provided.The nonprofit, Marine Parents, says it raised $10,000 for the family ofMo. group raised $10K for family of soldier. after he died Saturday.Tracy Della Vecchia, founder of Marine Parents, says the group will reach out to the families of fallen soldiers to see what help's needed.

The mother of Cpl. Matt Allen, with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced), 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, says good-bye while he waits to depart from Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C. May 11, 2009. The 22nd MEU is deploying this week aboard the ships of Bataan Amphibious Ready Group. (Official Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Theodore W. Ritchie)

Cpl. Theodore W. Ritchie