WPS Charitable Foundation donates to Stand Down Madison

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
DeAnne Boegli
Vice President of Communications
608-512-5754
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com

WPS Charitable Foundation donates to Stand Down Madison

MADISON, Wis.—Sept. 13, 2022—On Sept. 9, the WPS Charitable Foundation presented a $5,000 check to Wayne D. Horner Memorial Stand Down Madison, a local organization that provides relief to veterans experiencing homelessness.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager Natalie Isensee, Vice President of Communications DeAnne Boegli, and Charitable Foundation Program Administrator Amy Callender awarded the check to Angie Nickels, President of Stand Down Madison, and other Stand Down Madison representatives.

“At WPS, we seek to partner with organizations that have a strong affinity to our mission of helping veterans get needed health care,” Boegli said. “Stand Down Madison’s compassionate care of veterans experiencing homelessness is a cause we are proud to support.”

The Stand Down Madison fundraising main event is Oct. 8, and the organization is in need of volunteers for the event. Vendors can register online at standdownmadison.org/become-a-vendor. Volunteers can sign up to help at standdownmadison.org/volunteer.

About the WPS Charitable Foundation

The WPS Charitable Foundation was formed in 1986 to honor WPS’ first president, Ray Koenig. The Foundation is a nonprofit charitable organization that focuses on enhancing the communities we call home by supporting organizations focused on health and wellness, especially of women and children, seniors, military and veterans, and underserved populations. The Foundation also funds the Ray Koenig Memorial Scholarship program. Each year, the program makes educational opportunities available through scholarship awards to children of employees of WPS Health Solutions and its subsidiaries.

About WPS Health Solutions^®

Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Solutions), founded in 1946, is a nationally regarded benefits administrator for a variety of U.S. government programs and a leading not-for-profit health insurer in Wisconsin. WPS Health Solutions serves active-duty and retired military personnel, seniors, individuals, and families in Wisconsin, across the U.S., and around the world. WPS Health Solutions, headquartered in Madison, Wis., has more than 2,700 employees. Within the enterprise, there are three divisions: WPS Government Health Administrators, WPS Military and Veterans Health, and WPS Health Insurance/WPS Health Plan/EPIC Specialty Benefits. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.

Photo caption:
WPS Charitable Foundation presents a $5,000 check to Stand Down Madison. Pictured (l. to r.) are: Stand Down Madison representatives Jim Blankenheim, Angie Nickels, and Charlie Arndt, as well as WPS Health Solutions employees Natalie Isensee, DeAnne Boegli, and Amy Callender.

###

National Guardian Life Insurance Company donates $100,000 for The Center for Black Excellence and Culture

National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) is pleased to announce a $100,000 gift to support The Center for Black Excellence and Culture. NGL values diversity of thought, background and beliefs which are key to living our cultural values of integrity, dependability, collaboration, compassion and growth. Creating a welcoming, inclusive environment is integral to ensuring everyone feels a sense of belonging.

“We are proud to join other leaders in the community in support of this important project to inspire and advance the Black community. The Center will have a transformative impact for everyone in Madison because we all benefit when we create opportunities and empower others to thrive and succeed,” said Knut Olson, President & CEO at NGL.

Expected to open in 2024, the 65,000 square foot Center will be a valuable resource that is inspired, designed and led by members of the Black community. The Center’s areas of focus include health and wellness, leadership and innovation, performing and arts visuals, and youth and families.

“This fantastic gift sends a message of affirmation to us, and it reverberates in the Black community. NGL’s support helps demonstrate that The Center is becoming a reality, and the business community embraces a solution that helps Black people feel at home in greater Madison. We are so grateful for this impactful investment in The Center,” said Reverend Dr. Alex Gee, The Center’s Founder and CEO.

About NGL

Established in 1909 National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) is an insurance company headquartered in Madison, Wis. Licensed to do business in 49 states and the District of Columbia, NGL markets preneed and individual life and annuities, as well as group markets products. Information about NGL can be found at www.nglic.com; Facebook: Facebook.com/NGLIC and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-guardian-life-insurance-company.

National Guardian Life Insurance Company is not affiliated with The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America a/k/a The Guardian or Guardian Life.

###

WPS Health Solutions: Army veteran Mike Colligan saluted for Operation Fan Mail

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
DeAnne Boegli
Vice President of Communications
608-512-5754
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com

Army veteran Mike Colligan saluted for Operation Fan Mail
Program is sponsored by WPS Health Solutions and the Green Bay Packers

MADISON, Wis.—Aug. 23, 2022—The Green Bay Packers and WPS Health Solutions paid special tribute this week to Army veteran Mike Colligan and his family in conjunction with the Aug. 19 game against the New Orleans Saints. Operation Fan Mail, the program that recognizes military families and veterans at each Packers home game, marks its 16th season in 2022.

Colligan, originally from Wild Rose, Wis., was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1970 and spent two years serving, including 11 months in an infantry unit in Vietnam. He was a machine gunner for his first three months in Vietnam and was then promoted to a squad leader, eventually earning the rank of specialist 4th class.

After leaving the service, Colligan returned to Wild Rose and worked for FedEx and started a storage unit business. The lifelong Packers fan also survived cancer and multiple heart surgeries. Colligan was nominated by a fellow veteran who served with him in Vietnam, Dr. John Hofer.

“I know he’s a big Packers fan and that’s why I wanted to do this for him,” Hofer said. “He just deserved it.”

Colligan attended the Aug. 19 game with his wife, Genny, and his two daughters, Molly and Caitlin. He and Genny also spent 23 years as devoted foster parents to 60 kids.

As the honorees for Operation Fan Mail, the Colligan family also received a $150 Packers Pro Shop gift card, courtesy of WPS.

The program, which debuted in 2007, is designed to honor families with a member who is on active duty or a member who is a veteran. The Packers and WPS Health Solutions will host a family at each 2022 season home game and recognize the members on the video boards during pregame activities. A total of 149 individuals, families, or groups have been recognized through the program since it began.

The Packers and WPS Health Solutions invite interested families, or friends of eligible families, to submit an essay, 500 words or less, on why a particular family should be saluted this year. Families intended for recognition are those that have a member serving on active duty, or a member who is a veteran. The family member can be a spouse, mother, father, son, daughter, or sibling.

Essays can be sent to Operation Fan Mail, P.O. Box 10628, Green Bay, WI, 54307-0628 or online at operationfanmail.com.

About WPS Health Solutions

Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Solutions), founded in 1946, is a nationally regarded benefits administrator for a variety of U.S. government programs and a leading not-for-profit health insurer in Wisconsin. WPS Health Solutions serves active-duty and retired military personnel, seniors, individuals, and families in Wisconsin, across the U.S., and around the world. WPS Health Solutions, headquartered in Madison, Wis., has more than 3,100 employees. Within the enterprise, there are three divisions: WPS Government Health Administrators, WPS Military and Veterans Health, and WPS Health Insurance/WPS Health Plan/EPIC Specialty Benefits. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.

###

National Guardian Life Insurance Company Sponsors the 2022 Conference of African American Financial Professionals

National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) is pleased to be a Platinum Sponsor of the 16^th Annual Conference of African American Financial Professionals (CAAFP) held in Washington, D.C. This is the third consecutive year NGL has sponsored the event with it being the first time NGL employees were able to attend in-person since the pandemic began. Hosted by The American College of Financial Services, the conference was August 8-10 and is the largest gathering of African American financial professionals that provides an opportunity for education, networking, and engagement.

“The CAAFP was one of the best conferences I have attended,” shared Christin Blotz, Talent Development & DEI Partner at NGL. “At NGL, we are committed to supporting diversity, equity and inclusion and we are proud to be an ally and help foster change in the financial services industry that create opportunities and lead to economic empowerment for Black communities.”

In addition to attending the conference, Blotz introduced keynote speakers, George Nichols, President & CEO of The American College of Financial Services and Jacob Pruitt, President of Fidelity Charitable. During their keynote session they highlight family inspiration and values, philanthropy, and business and community leadership.

About NGL

Established in 1909 National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) is an insurance company headquartered in Madison, Wis. Licensed to do business in 49 states and the District of Columbia, NGL markets preneed and individual life and annuities, as well as group markets products. Information about NGL can be found at www.nglic.com; Facebook: Facebook.com/NGLIC and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-guardian-life-insurance-company.

National Guardian Life Insurance Company is not affiliated with The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America a/k/a The Guardian or Guardian Life.

###

PRCAAFP82022

UScellular Donates $30,000 to Boys and Girls Club of Dane County

Grant Focuses on Providing Access to STEM Learning and Experiences

Madison, Wis. (August 2, 2022) – UScellular has announced a $30,000 investment in the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County to provide educational opportunities and experiences to local youth. The company has invested in the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County to support K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and academic enrichment programs.

The STEM learning and experience provided is designed to prepare students for the careers of tomorrow, and according to Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth Outcomes survey, the youth at Clubs display far greater interest in pursuing STEM careers than their peers nationally (52% vs. 27%).

This year the funding will support the Club with field trips, staff training and STEM activity kits.

“We’ve heard from parents and students that they think STEM is good for their future careers but 48% of students and 41% of parents don’t know enough about the opportunities a STEM education would afford,[1]”  said Christine Paulsen, director of sales. “The Boys and Girls Club of Dane County provides this critical access so that we can build a future of bright and enthusiastic tech leaders.”

We are very happy to continue this work with UScellular in order to support STEM education at the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County,” said Michael Johnson, President & CEO, BGCDC. “We know that shaping the future of young people starts with providing them access to what’s possible and with UScellular’s commitment, we are opening doors for today’s youth.”

Last year, UScellular also donated 2,845 hotspots and services – a value of nearly $2.6 million – to 35 Boys & Girls Clubs as a part of the After School Access Project, a program that provides free mobile hotspots and service to nonprofits that support youth after the school day has ended.

Since 2009, UScellular has donated nearly $21.4 million along with countless experiences and technology items to nonprofit organizations across the country. For more information about the company’s corporate social responsibility initiatives, please go to https://newsroom.uscellular.com/community/.

About UScellular

UScellular is the fourth-largest full-service wireless carrier in the United States, providing national network coverage and industry-leading innovations designed to elevate the customer experience. The Chicago-based carrier provides a strong, reliable network supported by the latest technology and offers a wide range of communication services that enhance consumers’ lives, increase the competitiveness of local businesses and improve the efficiency of government operations. To learn more about UScellular, visit one of its retail stores or www.uscellular.com. To get the latest news, visit newsroom.uscellular.com. Connect with UScellular on social media at facebook.com/uscellular, twitter.com/uscellular, instagram.com/uscellular, YouTube.com/uscellularcorp and linkedin.com/company/uscellular.

About The Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County is a local non-profit youth development organization serving thousands of youths in eleven locations, including eight school-based sites and three traditional Club sites. The Clubs fuel kids with the inspiration to dream and teach them the skills to achieve when they are most impressionable through quality programs in five core areas: Character & Leadership Development; Education & Career Development; Health & Life Skills; The Arts; and Sports, Fitness & Recreation. See the impact we make in the life of each Club member here: www.bgcdc.org.

###

For more information, contact:
JULIE EMBLING, public relations counsel
414-270-7187
jembling@laughlin.com