WPS joins Disability:IN Wisconsin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

WPS joins Disability:IN Wisconsin
Partnership promotes inclusion of people with disabilities

MADISON, Wis.—Nov. 8, 2021—WPS Health Solutions commits to support Disability:IN Wisconsin as a Sustaining Partner. Disability:IN Wisconsin is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, business-to-business network of professionals with disabilities and allies across the state. The partnership allows WPS to share best practices and local resources on disability inclusion.

Events organized by Disability:IN Wisconsin will allow WPS employees to engage with local, regional, and national experts on important topics in disability inclusion. Working with the organization also allows WPS to connect with local certified disability-owned businesses.

Jihan Bekiri, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at WPS, said, “Joining Disability:IN is a conscious step toward disability inclusion at WPS. I am thrilled to have WPS join this group of dedicated advocates so we can learn more and move forward together.”

Disability:IN Wisconsin offers participating employers resources for recruiting candidates with disabilities, information on disability issues/topics, recognition for best disability employment practices, and exposure to an untapped market for goods and services.

The new partnership follows on the heels of other WPS diversity, equity, and inclusion work, including hiring Bekiri in January, signing the CEO Action Pledge and participating in the Day of Understanding, joining the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber in June, and the creation of the ‘WPS Diversity in Insurance’ scholarship, which helps underrepresented Madison College students pursuing careers in insurance, in September.

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 2,800 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.

Eppstein Uhen Architects: Beyond Design Bike Tour Online Auction Raises Money for Local Charities

MILWAUKEE + MADISON, WI, October 11, 2021 —For the past 15 years, Eppstein Uhen Architects (EUA) has held a Beyond Design Bike Tour (BDBT) to raise money for charities within the community. Due to circumstances related to the pandemic, the 16^th Annual Beyond Design Bike Tour was canceled out of an abundance of caution and safety for our bikers, sponsors, and volunteers.

Although the event was canceled, EUA held an Online Silent Auction from August 23^rd – 26^th that raised over $7,500 with proceeds benefiting the intended charities of Camp One Step and Shining Stars Foundation.

EUA would like to thank all our sponsors who contributed to the 16^th Annual Beyond Design Bike Tour and a special thank you to the sponsors who opted to still contribute their donations of $40,350:

Baker Tilly, BMO Harris Bank, CD Smith, CG Schmidt, Gilbane Building Company, Giles Engineering Associates, Graef, Grumman/Butkus Associates, Grunau Company, Kapur & Associates, M3 Insurance, Mortensen Construction, Next Generation Wealth Management, Riley Construction, Ring & DuChateau, RTM Engineering, Tour of America’s Dairyland

EUA looks forward to hosting the 17^th Annual Beyond Design Bike Tour on August 25^th, 2022 in support of Camp One Step and Shining Stars Foundation in the fight against childhood cancer.

To learn more about how the charities will be utilizing the donations contact Katie Weil at Camp One Step and Mackenzie Brenneman at Shining Stars Foundation:

Camp One Step
Katie Weil
Vice President, Philanthropy
kweil@camponestep.org

Shining Stars Foundation
Mackenzie Brenneman
Director of Programs and Events
Mackenzie@ShiningStarsFoundation.org

About Eppstein Uhen Architects (EUA) 

Eppstein Uhen Architects (EUA) is best known for designing environments that elevate people’s potential. Nearly 180 employees in Denver, Milwaukee and Madison demonstrate unparalleled commitment to the markets, communities and clients they serve. The respected 114-year-old firm specializes in several markets including aerospace, education, workplace, industrial, healthcare, senior living, mixed-use, community and science + technology. For additional information, please visit the firm’s website at eua.com.

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Megan Kocchi, Marketing Leader, at 414.298.2204 or megank@eua.com.

WPS Health Solutions: Army veteran Eric Bebee saluted for Operation Fan Mail

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Army veteran Eric Bebee saluted for Operation Fan Mail
WPS Health Solutions and Green Bay Packers honored Bebee Oct. 3

MADISON, Wis.—Oct. 4, 2021—The Green Bay Packers and WPS Health Solutions paid special tribute this week to Army veteran Eric Bebee and his family in conjunction with the Oct. 3 game against Pittsburgh. Operation Fan Mail, the program that recognizes military families and veterans at each Packers home game, marks its 15th season in 2021.

Bebee, originally from Birchwood, Wis., enlisted in the U.S. Army after seeing news coverage of the 9/11 attacks 20 years ago. At the beginning of his military career, he was in the infantry, serving as a rifleman, machine gunner, and Fire Team Leader. He finished his Army career as an Information Technology Specialist, helping troubleshoot computer and network issues, operating and maintaining radios, and facilitating battalion communications.

During his time in the Army, he traveled all over the world. He was stationed from 2003–11 in Germany, deploying from there to Afghanistan three times. He was then stationed at Fort Hood in Texas, from where he deployed to Afghanistan once more, as well as Liberia, Africa, in 2014 as the Lead Information Technology Specialist in support of Operation United Assistance to assist with the Ebola Outbreak Crisis.

In 2016, Bebee transitioned from active duty to the Iowa Air National Guard, and he and his family now live in Hornick, Iowa. He works full-time as a cyber security manager at the 185th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City, Iowa, as a Department of Defense civilian during the week. He serves as a traditional Air Guardsman on drill weekends. During his time in the military, he has received five Army commendation medals, three Army achievement medals, the Combat Infantry Badge, and an Iowa Air Guard Commendation medal.

Bebee met his wife, Patricia, while stationed in Germany, and their family includes their daughter, Suriana, and their son, Wyatt. After Patricia became a U.S. citizen in 2018, she also enlisted into the Iowa Air National Guard to serve her country.

As the honoree for Operation Fan Mail this week, the Bebee family also received four tickets to the game and 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 2021 home game and recognize the members on the video boards during pregame activities. A total of 140 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 packers.com/lambeau-field/operation-fan-mail.

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.

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Oak Bank’s Great Pumpkin Give Away is Back

Donations received for more than 30,000 pumpkins have gone directly to area nonprofits.

Fitchburg, WI – It’s a sure sign of fall in Fitchburg! After being canceled last year due to the pandemic, the Oak Bank Annual Great Pumpkin Give Away is back and will be held next Saturday, October 9.

Families can enjoy a variety of activities at the Great Pumpkin Give Away, including hanging out with local mascots, taking a ride on a tractor-drawn wagon, and other family-friendly activities.

“We are thrilled we can host this event and safely celebrate the fall season in person,” said Terry Taylor, President at Oak Bank. “Being able to participate in some fun traditions, like finding that perfect pumpkin, helps lift everyone’s spirits as we continue to find our way out of the pandemic.”

More than 30,000 pumpkins have found their Halloween homes at the Annual Great Pumpkin Give Away since 2000. The joy of finding that perfect pumpkin has a ripple effect beyond the day of the event. Cash donations collected for the pumpkins are given to a chosen local nonprofit organization. This year, the Madison Reading Project is the recipient.

Madison Reading Project’s mission is to connect the community with free books and literacy enrichment programs that ignite a love for reading. They partner with over 100 local schools and organizations and give over 70,000 free books every year to kids in Dane County to fill their homes with high-quality reading material.

“Madison Reading Project’s goals align with Oak Bank’s commitment to providing resources to everyone and making a significant impact in our community,” said Taylor. “It is an honor to join our friends and neighbors in helping Madison Reading Project empower families to read through the fun tradition of the Great Pumpkin Give Away.”

The Annual Great Pumpkin Give Away will take place on Saturday, October 9, from 9 a.m. to noon at Oak Bank, 5951 McKee Road in Fitchburg. For more details, visit Oak Bank’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/oakbank/.

Click here to watch a video highlighting the event.

Click here to download photos from previous years.

About Oak Bank
Oak Bank has been deeply rooted in the Fitchburg community and Madison area for 21 years, meeting the financial needs of homeowners and businesses by offering top-notch service, quick answers, and unique solutions, all while supporting over 100 local nonprofits each year. Visit oakbankonline.com to learn more.

Media Contact:
Karen Virnoche
608.441.6000
kvirnoche@oakbankonline.com

Northwestern Mutual – Southern Wisconsin Strengthens Commitment To End Childhood Cancer Donating $60,000 to Garding Against Cancer

MIDDLETON, WI — Sept. 28, 2021 – This year alone, more than 15,000 children will be diagnosed with childhood cancer. Northwestern Mutual, along with its financial advisors and employees, is devoted to accelerating the search for better treatments and cures for childhood cancer, while also supporting families battling the disease and survivors struggling with the late effects of treatment. Through its Foundation, the company is recognizing seven of its offices for their notable support of the cause through the 2021 Childhood Cancer Impact Awards.

Read more here