GIVING BACK TO VETERANS

AMY CROZIER

U.S. AutoForce, Credit Risk Assistant, Appleton, WI

“All the way home, he told me, ‘This has been the best day of my life,’” Amy recalls.

That day was four years ago when a team member offered tickets to Amy and her dad, Andy, to attend Warbird Alley at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. Andy had served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War as a deep sea diver in a mine hunting unit. He didn’t always open up about his service to our country, but that day he met other veterans, swapped stories and smiles, and found common ground again. Then, five months after the event, Andy passed away.

Witnessing the joy her father experienced that day inspired Amy to stay involved as a volunteer with EAA AirVenture. She now honors his legacy by escorting veterans and honoring our nation’s heroes every summer.

Amy logs her volunteer hours and has used the matched dollar program, in which U.S. Venture matches dollar-for- dollar up to $1,000.

“It brought joy to him to be there, and after he passed on, I just had to continue to be a part of that event,” she says. “U.S. Venture is willing to share in your passion by giving to it. It makes me want to give and do more for the company and community. It makes me proud to work for this company.”

EMPOWERING WOMEN

KENNETH WRIGHT, DAMAR MADISON-CLAY & MARCUS BURGESS

Drivers, U.S. AutoForce, Bridgeton, MO

Kenneth, DaMar and Marcus are truck drivers with U.S. AutoForce, but several times a month, they choose to spend time sitting behind the wheel of the MOXI Traveling Boutique – a mobile fashion truck that brings suits to women who have limited or no access to transportation in the St. Louis and Kansas City Metro area.

They believe that while they’re delivering outfits for women to wear for a job interview, what they’re really delivering are smiles and confidence. The truck is a part of the Dress for Success program within Connections to Success, a nonprofit working to end the cycle of poverty in Missouri and Kansas.

“It makes me feel great to see the smiles on peoples’ faces when they realize how good they look in their new outfits,” says Marcus.

“U.S. Venture supports us in helping to get the job done,” DaMar adds. All three use volunteer paid time off and log their volunteer hours.

“Driving for this company means a lot to me because it’s allowing me to give back and help others,” says Kenneth. “It’s important to show my kids that it’s important to help those who might not be ability to help themselves.”

PROVIDING NON-PROFITS WITH FINANCIAL GUIDANCE

JUDY ENGEN-PAZDERA

U.S. Venture, Treasury Manager, Appleton, WI

Judy is no stranger to non-profits; her late husband, Brad, was one of the founders of the Volunteer Center of East Central WI. But between her job as a divisional controller with U.S. Oil and raising their children, it was hard to find extra time to spare. That is, until a few years ago when her youngest daughter flew the coop for college.

Having participated in other community engagement offerings, such as volunteer paid time off (VPTO) and matching dollars program, she decided to join the board of directors at the Volunteer Center of East Central WI. Then a fellow team member approached her about filling a seat on the board at Rebuilding Together Fox Valley.

Today, Judy serves as treasurer on both boards, as well as a few committees. She is proud to provide her financial knowledge and skills with the organizations.

“Non-profits are very diverse,” she says. “You can help as little or as much as you want; they accept any amount of time you can devote to their cause. There’s a wide range of concentrations and focuses, and boards and committees, so you can certainly find something right for you.”

PERSONAL SHOPPER

SHERRY TINNIN

U.S. AutoForce, HR Business Partner, Bridgeton, MOHR

Earlier this year, Sherry suited 22 students from an inner city school in St. Louis. Dresses, suits, ties, accessories – so they could feel proud attending a special banquet at school.

“I’ll never forget the look on one young girl’s face when she came out wearing a dress I found her,” Sherry says. “She needed to be told she was beautiful!”

She volunteers as a personal shopper for Dress for Success in St. Louis, which is a program part of the non-profit Connections to Success working to end the cycle of poverty in Missouri and Kansas. Whether or not she’s dressing a teen for a banquet or an adult for an interview, she gets to spend time with people looking to find purpose. She also helps prepare adults for job interviews and is looking to get involved as a mentor.

Sherry logs her volunteer hours and uses her volunteer paid time off. She’s even recruited fellow team members to get involved with Dress for Success.

“It’s empowering to know we can be a light in someone else’s journey,” she adds. “My advice to other team members is to get out there and find something you’re passionate about. U.S. Venture supports your endeavor.”