GREEN BAY, Wis. — May 3, 2017 – The first-ever Wagon Warriors campaign presented by Associated Bank recently launched, raising funds and gathering donated items to fight cancer. The campaign is based around “tricked-out” wagons, decorated by local schools. The schools are working through their community to raise the most funds to fight cancer. It’s an opportunity for kids to help other kids, with the wagons eventually being donated to area hospitals. Throughout the month of May, area schools will raise funds and encourage the community to take action in the fight against cancer.
The Wagon Warriors campaign is raising critical funds for groundbreaking cancer research through the American Cancer Society. It also will help support Colton’s Cure, a foundation that helps alleviate the cancer burden on Wisconsin families battling pediatric cancer. Associated Bank is the presenting sponsor for the campaign.
Colton’s Cure was created in honor of a little boy named Colton, who was diagnosed with stage IV neuroblastoma at the age of two and a half. Although Colton’s time with us was short, he left behind a legacy through his foundation.
Colton’s mom, Tara, came up with an incredible idea to provide wagons instead of wheelchairs to hospitals so kids can feel like kids during treatment. Local sponsors generously donated wagons for the campaign. Local schools have joined the effort by decorating these wagons, which will be donated to area hospitals. The wagons are sponsored by the Ben Bartolazzi Team at Keller Williams Realty in Green Bay.
Each participating school is competing to win a $2,500 grant donated by Associated Bank. Check out
each school’s wagon on our website: https://www.crowdrise.com/WagonWarriors. Wagons will be on display at local Associated Bank branches through the end of May.
You can support the Wagon Warriors campaign by donating on a school’s fundraising page to “vote” for your favorite wagon. The school that raises the most money will be awarded the grant. All monetary donations will fund cancer research through the American Cancer Society. The Web pages are open for donations through May 31.
“We’re very excited to be involved with Wagon Warriors,” said Jeff Schofield, senior vice president with Associated Bank. “We’d love to see the communities rally behind their school and the wagons they built to help support cancer research. We are all hoping to someday see a world without cancer.”
“This is a wonderful opportunity for families to get involved and support cancer research. It’s touching when you have kids helping other kids, and you see their natural generosity come through,” said Laurie Bertrand, American Cancer Society executive director in Wisconsin. “We are grateful for the schools that are participating, the volunteers and their family and friends who want to help, and the generosity of our sponsors.
Participating schools include:
- Wilson Elementary School in Sheboygan
- Hillcrest Elementary in Hobart
- Taft Elementary School in Neenah
- Westside Elementary School in Kimberly
- Hemlock Creek Elementary in De Pere
- Pioneer Elementary School in Ashwaubenon
- Howe Elementary in Green Bay
- Janet Berry Elementary in Appleton
- Cormier School in Ashwaubenon
- Washington Jr. High School in Manitowoc
- Helen Keller Elementary in Green Bay
You can also participate by donating items for the Colton’s Cure donation drive. Visit a local Associated Bank branch and help us fill these wagons with items from the Colton’s Cure wish list. Please note that financial donations cannot be accepted at Associated Bank. All donated items will support families in Wisconsin battling pediatric cancer through the Colton’s Cure Foundation.
Wish list items include tie blankets, pillow cases, gift cards, coloring books, markers and crayons, iTunes gift cards, note books or journals, gas cards, toys, and superhero costumes.
For more information about the Wagon Warriors campaign call Kristen Herbes of the American Cancer Society at (920) 321-1366.
About the American Cancer Society:
The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of 2 million volunteers saving lives in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the Society's efforts have contributed to a 25 percent decline in the cancer death rate in the U.S. since 1991, driven by less smoking, better treatments, and earlier detection. We're finding cures as the nation's largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings and more. For more information, to get help, or to join the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at (800) 227-2345 or visit cancer.org.
About Colton’s Cure Foundation:
Started in 2012, Colton’s Cure Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides financial aid and support to families in the state of Wisconsin. Colton’s Cure accomplishes this by working through Pediatric Cancer Centers in the state to provide financial grants, as well as, delivering care packages and supplies to those undergoing treatment. To find out how you can help, or to learn more about what we do, visit our website at www.coltonscure.org.
ABOUT ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP
Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE: ASB) has total assets of $29 billion and is one of the top 50 publicly traded U.S. bank holding companies. Headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Associated is a leading Midwest banking franchise, offering a full range of financial products and services from over 200 banking locations serving more than 100 communities throughout Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota, and commercial financial services in Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio and Texas. Associated Bank, N.A. is an Equal Housing Lender, Equal Opportunity Lender and Member FDIC. More information about Associated Banc-Corp is available at https://www.associatedbank.com
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