Until one year ago, Chris Gross followed the typical path for a man with a bachelor's degree in finance.

After graduating from the University of Arizona in 1990, Gross worked four years at United Defense, and then switched to Applied Materials.

A financial analyst, Gross earns more than $50,000 a year at the Santa Clara, Calif. company - not bad for a single man of 27.

Gross's prosperity enabled him to buy pretty much anything he wanted, but still, it was not enough.

Last June, after heavy contemplation of the horrible aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing, Gross decided to give up an entire year's salary - $53,874.08 - to establish a scholarship fund for children orphaned after the blast.

So far, "The Children of Oklahoma City Scholarship Fund" has raised almost $600,000 to help 160 children.

Gross says he made the decision because he was at a point in his life where he had no real commitments, such as a family. And the thought of all these children without a mom or dad motivated him to take action.

In order to reach this amount, Gross challenged his company and 18 others in Silicon Valley to match his salary. Some of the companies, including Applied Materials, accepted the challenge dollar for dollar.

Although Gross has received a fair amount of national attention for his good deed, including a spot last year on the Oprah Winfrey Show, he somehow continues to remain humble.

"There are hundreds of people who have done wonderful things for these people," he says.

Today marks the one year anniversary of the Alfred Murrah Federal Building bombing in Oklahoma City. The bombing left 169 people dead and more than 500 others injured.

The trial of Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols - both suspects in the bombing - is scheduled to open in Denver probably late this year or early next year.

But until somebody has been convicted of this heinous crime, Oklahomans continue to suffer, both mentally and physically.

In order to help bombing victims, their families and anyone else mentally affected by the disaster, many relief agencies were established.

One such facility is Project Heartland. Part of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health, it opened on May 15, 1995.

"It became clear that with a tragedy of this magnitude, there were going to have to be several months of counseling, if not long after," says Rosemary Brown, director of media and communications for Project Heartland.

Since its inception, about 3,000 people have sought individual and group counseling at the center, Brown says. In addition to the services provided within the boundaries of its office, Project Heartland is also responsible for distributing about 22 counselors throughout the city's public school systems.

Brown says the Project Heartland offers short-term counseling, usually anywhere from one to 10 sessions. But many victims of all ages have recently returned to the center with renewed anxiety and the inability to cope with the tragedy.

Such charity doesn't come without sacrifice, particularly for Gross, who prior to his decision, was able to do just about anything money could buy.

Gross, an avid wind surfer and traveler, says he had to relinquish his favorite pastimes in order to survive on the $12,000 he had in savings.

Although his parents have not given him any financial assistance over the past year, Gross says he is sure they would have if he had asked. But Gross manages to go it alone, without incurring any debts.

"I was in good shape prior to the situation," Gross says. "My parents put me through (the UA) and I didn't have any credit card bills. I also drive a 1985 SAAB with 180,000 miles."

In order to remain within his budget, Gross meets friends out after they have finished dinner and has become creative with gift-giving.

"For the holidays, I bought cards," he says. "Everybody understood."

Gross says that although he is unable to buy new suits or shoes like most men in the professional world, he has grown accustomed to living on $1,000 a month.

But not for long - Gross's yearlong donation ends in about three weeks.

Admits Gross, "I am very much looking forward to the end."

Gross says he is counting the days until the end of his commitment. He even has plans of attending Harvard University this fall to earn a master's degree in business.

Gross has not visited Oklahoma City, nor has he written or received any letters from the orphans. He says he plans to go, but not any time soon, because he does not want to take the focus away from the victims and the tragedy that transpired one year ago.

Nonetheless, Gross says the last year has provided him with unforgettable memories of what it's like to give it all up for a cause.

"I have had no regrets," Gross says. "It was an amazing personal experience."