The Associated Veterans Network (AVN), a group that provides a network for military veterans within the company, recently asked Green Bay colleagues to participate in a Jeans Day cause—where colleagues could wear jeans to work if they made a $5 donation to the Old Glory Honor Flights organization. All funds raised were then matched by the AVN. Collections from Associated colleagues’ donations totaled $950, which the AVN matched to help round the total donations up to $2,000.

“The match event for Associated colleagues and the AVN was a huge success,” said Barry Schramm, lead security guard, Associated Center in Green Bay. “Colleagues choose to support efforts that are important to them, and this honor flight match was the largest fundraiser to date.”

Old Glory Honor Flights is dedicated to providing transportation to local World War II and Korean War veterans to Washington, D.C., where they can visit the memorials built in their honor. AVN also assists veterans and their families, both within the company and in the communities that Associated serves.

“The Jeans Day match showed the respect our colleagues have for our heroes who have served in the military,” added Patrick Derpinghaus, chief audit executive and AVN executive sponsor. “If you have ever been at the airport when the flight returns, you can see the emotion on the veterans’ faces and the pride when the crowd welcomes the vets back home. It is a very moving experience.”

In addition to the Old Glory Honor Flights organization, the AVN has also raised money for organizations such as Wounded Warriors in Action, Fisher House Foundation of Wisconsin, Camp American Legion, Fox Valley Veterans Council, disabled veterans fishing event in Milwaukee, and American Legion of Wisconsin.

The Associated Veterans Network and Associated colleagues donate $2,000 to the Old Glory Honor Flights organization that provides transportation to local World War II and Korean War veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials built in their honor.