A Shining Example of Community Service

I always enjoy hearing about unique ways insurance agents engage their local communities. Community involvement is not only fulfilling for those providing the service, but also makes your community that much better for your efforts. If you happen to earn some goodwill and public relations value out of it, that’s a nice cherry on top.

In the myriad of press releases I come across every day, this one caught my eye as a good example of an insurance agency offering a worthwhile, unique experience to veterans in their area.

Laura Kahl, a team member at Jackson Kahl Insurance in Fond du Lac, Wis., (gotta love those Wisconsin city names), is offering local veterans a chance to view the world premiere of filmmaker Dan Hayes’ documentary, “The Story of Stars and Stripes Honor Flight,” at Miller Park, home of the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team, later this summer.

The release says “The team at Jackson Kahl Insurance knows how important it is to ensure that these veterans know how much they are appreciated and are able to witness the memorials dedicated to them.” The National Honor Flight Network is an effort to fly WWII veterans to see their memorial in Washington, D.C., at no cost. Laura Kahl, with experience as a guardian on a Stars and Stripes Honor Flight, took the initiative to offer veterans in her community of any U.S. conflict (and a guest) this chance to attend the Aug. 11 world premiere of filmmaker Dan Hayes’ documentary. The tickets are free and so is coach transportation to Milwaukee, including a pre-screening tailgate party with live music and even WWII reenactments. When the stadium opens, veterans and their guests will have the opportunity to view and take photos with a Pillars of Honor WWII Memorial model. The documentary will then be shown on the stadium’s new high-definition video board and conclude with a closing ceremony of fireworks and a flyover.

This is a great example of how a local insurance agency can contribute in a meaningful way to its community. And, whether it is the goal or not, these kind of events go a long way toward establishing a company’s reputation as a valuable member of the community.