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.

###

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

WPS Health Solutions donates to assist Afghan refugees

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

WPS Health Solutions donates to assist Afghan refugees

MADISON, Wis.—Sept. 21, 2021—WPS Health Solutions recently donated $2,500 in support of Afghan refugees at Fort McCoy in Monroe County. In addition, WPS employees throughout Wisconsin made a substantial number of individual donations of clothing and supplies at WPS facilities and via an Amazon list set up by Team Rubicon, a national organization that mobilizes veterans to provide disaster relief. Team Rubicon collected the donations Monday at the National Guard Armory in Sparta.

Initially, the money and donations will support the efforts of Team Rubicon to meet the humanitarian needs of Afghan refugees. Donations collected by WPS were dropped off at the Sparta Armory.

“We’re proud to support these Afghans who helped our military during our years in Afghanistan,” said Tim La Sage, Military and Veteran Inclusion Lead at WPS. “They were our allies there and it’s our turn to be their allies here.”

WPS has also partnered with the Milwaukee Harley-Davidson Museum and Concerned Veterans for America to collect donations. Additional donations of goods will go to support refugees through Catholic Charities of the Diocese of La Crosse, which delivers directly to Fort McCoy.

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.

###

30 interns at WPS Health Solutions ‘Pay it Forward’ through Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

30 interns at WPS Health Solutions ‘Pay it Forward’ through Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives

MADISON, Wis.—Aug. 25, 2021—The 12-week summer internship program at WPS Health Solutions was held virtually for the second year, concluding at the end of August.

This year’s program was led by Casey Schmidt, Corporate Recruiter-Internship Coordinator, and Talent Acquisition Director Tina Wallace. 

Each year, the interns are tasked with a Pay it Forward project as a part of their overall responsibilities, something they can leave for the next class of interns or other employees at WPS. After an extraordinary year of social unrest, the 2021 class decided to take a deep dive into the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives at WPS.

The students researched, explored, and made recommendations to expand the existing DEI programs. Working hand-in-hand with different departments and Jihan Bekiri, Vice President of DEI, they evaluated current initiatives, sought out gaps or places for opportunity, researched, and prepared recommendations.

The interns identified four areas of interest: Employee Resource Groups, Mentorship and Sponsorship, Military and Veteran Inclusion Strategy, and Diverse Talent Partnerships. Then, the interns divided into four teams and designed a well-researched presentation that they presented to WPS leadership.

“Working on the project with the rest of my intern class was super rewarding,” said Erica Casper, Marketing and Communications Intern. “All summer, we researched and put together an hour and a half presentation on four different initiatives to learn about and improve the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at WPS. DEI is such an important topic, and I am super proud to be able to contribute my ideas and research.”

Bekiri commented on their work, “I am incredibly proud of our summer interns and appreciate the recommendations they have provided. Their thorough research, thoughtful approach, and relevant perspectives will be critical in informing our DEI journey—we will be a stronger, more inclusive WPS because of their guidance.”

The Pay it Forward project is just one part of the internship program. WPS interns focused on:

• Gaining skills in their functional area of study.
• Gaining exposure to a corporate culture through professional development trainings hosted by the Talent development team, Executive Speaker Series, and daily meetings.
• Gaining project management and team-building skills by working on the Pay it Forward project.
• Gaining public speaking and leadership skills by presenting their projects to their managers and the executive team.

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.

###