Verizon & Veterans
Verizon Impact Forward Blog Series
In continuation with our Impact Forward Blog Series and in celebration of Veteran’s Day this November, we would like to highlight the incredible work being done in Detroit to support veterans. Verizon’s partnership with local veteran serving organizations, including Grosse Pointe War Memorial and the Stronger Warrior Foundation, underscores our local commitment to veterans as well as our company wide initiative to support and honor this community.
As a company, Verizon has a long history of supporting veterans across the nation to find careers and to help families as they transition to civilian life. We are a leading military and veteran employer in the US with more than 8,000 veterans and active military members and more than 500 military spouses. Military Friendly named Verizon its #2 Company for 2024 for our commitment to the military community, service members and veterans across all aspects of our business. Verizon also provides a generous military leave, allowing our service members to serve if called to active duty and bridging the gap between military and Verizon pay to ensure family members are cared for. VALOR (Veterans and Advocates Leading the Organization Responsibly), our veteran Employee Resource Group, provides ongoing support, recognition and development of veteran employees from the moment they are hired.
Each November, Verizon employees gather in the Detroit office to volunteer for the Stronger Warrior Foundation. The Stronger Warrior Foundation works to serve those who have served our country, through programs such as Mission Resupply and Adaptive Warrior. Adaptive Warrior helps service members who have become amputated, paralyzed, blind or deaf from accidents in post service, combat related service, or non-combat related service. This program aims to relieve the financial burden that may accompany such injuries.
“Through Verizon’s unwavering support, our organization has been able to reach and support hundreds of deployed service members, sending much-needed care packages to those on the frontlines,” said Bryan Abell, Co-Executive Director, Stronger Warrior Foundation. “Our partnership with Verizon has made a real and true impact in the lives of our deployed warriors by reminding them they are appreciated, valued, and supported back home. This partnership means the world to us and our nation’s warriors”
Verizon employees work to support this Mission Resupply program, an initiative that provides a personalized care package program for deployed United States service members. Employees create care packages by decorating crates, writing letters, and creating video messages. These packages not only address active-duty service members’ basic needs, but also engage them through fun surprises and memories of home. The packages are creating a real impact with service members. A recent recipient shared, “I wanted to send a note saying thank you for the care boxes. All of the Soldiers in my platoon truly appreciate it. I wish there were some way to share what a Soldier’s reaction is when he hears that he has mail to pick up.”
In addition to Stronger Warrior, Verizon has supported the work of the Grosse Point War Memorial, a non-profit designed to honor those who served, enrich their communities, and deliver exceptional experiences. Located at the historic Alger Estate in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, The War Memorial serves approximately 100,000 individuals annually through programming honoring veterans and community events and celebrations for adults and children.
“We are deeply grateful for Verizon’s support throughout our 75th anniversary year, helping us renew our commitment to honoring those who served,” said Meredith, “Their support of our annual fundraising gala will help ensure that we can continue our work for another 75 years. We also expanded our offerings with our new Vet Connect Series which offers monthly programs that foster fellowship and provide educational and resource seminars for the veteran community.”
“I know firsthand the sacrifices that veterans, active military, and their families make every day for our country,” said Brianna Fritz, VALOR lead for the state of Michigan, “Many of my family members, including my father, served in our military, and it is an honor to continue the incredible work of Verizon in this space here in Michigan”
This year, Verizon is proud to announce a new partnership with the Detroit Pistons. Verizon is teaming up with the Pistons and Forgiveco to forgive $1,000,000 of local Detroit Veterans Debt. This initiative will allow veterans to have a fresh start.
While we take intentional time to remember the sacrifices of veterans each November, Verizon is proud to show up and support for those who served our nation all year wrong. Both these local efforts in Detroit and our national support demonstrates our ongoing commitment to veterans and their families.
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Verizon Impact Forward is our ongoing series highlighting Verizon’s local approach to corporate social responsibility, including the community-based partnerships that make this work possible.