For More Information:
Jeff McCarthy, 262-560-2196
jeff.mccarthy@fbfcwi.com
First Bank Financial Centre Makes Donations
To Two Area Veterans Organizations
Milwaukee (March 8, 2016) – First Bank Financial Centre (FBFC), a full-service, community bank that has served southeastern Wisconsin since 1859, proudly supported the Stars & Stripes Honor Flight and Camp Hometown Heroes with two separate donations on March 7.
FBFC presented a check to John Mercure, WTMJ-AM 620 radio host and Stars & Stripes Honor Flight board member, in the amount of $11,000. The Stars and Stripes Honor Flight honors all veterans by flying WWII, Korean War and terminally ill veterans from other conflicts to Washington, DC to visit their memorials. They actively promote educational aspects of this mission in our schools and our communities.
This donation to the Stars & Stripes Honor Flight was made in honor of First Sergeant Matt Eversmann, who recently spoke at an FBFC leadership event. According to Mark Mohr, President & CEO of FBFC, “We are grateful to the men and women who have served our country, and wanted to honor Sgt. Eversmann for his heroism in Mogadishu. The work done by the Stars & Stripes Honor Flight is remarkable, and it’s our pleasure to support them in their mission.”
First Sergeant Matt Eversmann (Ret.) is a testament to the true nature of war and heroism. He is immortalized in the epic film Black Hawk Down and the 2004 book The Battle of Mogadishu, which tell the heroic story of a group of elite United States soldiers sent to Somalia in 1993 as part of a United Nations peacekeeping operation. Upon his return from Iraq in 2007, Matt retired from the Army as an Infantry Company First Sergeant after 20 years of service. He is co-author of The Battle of Mogadishu (2004).
“I’m touched that First Bank Financial Centre is supporting this wonderful organization in my honor,” said Eversmann. “Our World War II and Korean War veterans are true heroes, and I’m glad the Honor Flight is giving them an opportunity to be honored and appreciated for their service.”
Eversmann and FBFC employees then visited with Deb Paschke, Executive Director of Camp Hometown Heroes and donated several autographed items, including Blu-ray copies of Black Hawk Down to be used for future fundraising activities. Camp Hometown Heroes is a national free week-long overnight summer camp for children and siblings between the ages of seven to seventeen of fallen U.S. service members who died in any manner: combat, accident, illness or suicide. During their visit to camp, perhaps for the first time in their young lives, the children have the opportunity to openly discuss their feelings and experiences. Through the support of pediatric grief specialists, the children partake in art and music therapy programs and optional discussion groups.
According to Eversmann, “These are great kids whose parents paid the ultimate price while serving our country. If FBFC and I can provide the organization with a few items that can assist them in fundraising efforts and send more kids to camp, I’m happy to help.”
The employees of First Bank Financial Centre typically volunteer more than 10,000 hours with over 400 organizations annually, and the bank has donated more than $1 million to charitable causes over the last 5 years.
