North Shore Bank employees have continued to recognize military veterans in our communities as part of our Bank on Kindness initiative for November.

Business relationship manager Cheri Cicona, Bennie and his daughter Ashley, and lending sales specialist Jody Moore at the restaurant.

Business banking employees thanked Army veteran and Daddy’s Soul Food & Grille owner Bennie Smith Jr. for his service with cake, a certificate of appreciation, and a donation to support the community.

Family and bank employees surprising Charlie.

They did something similar for Air Force vet Charlie Wakefield, a flight engineer who served in Vietnam, arranging for his family to help surprise him. Charlie has partnered with the bank in the past on worn-flag collections and our work with Stars and Stripes Honor Flight. The cakes for Bennie and Charlie came from business banking customer Matilda Bakehouse in River Hills.

Vets & Friends volunteer Vicky, teller Char Schaible, president Jeff Huelsbeck, Patt, and volunteer Kathy with items the bank donated.

Northland employees attended a lunch held by Vets & Friends of Wisconsin in Appleton on November 13, and donated to the group as well. The coffeehouse and food pantry offers a Friday breakfast and Saturday lunch for area veterans, as well as helping veterans who need assistance with food and housing. “The day we were there, they hosted the Outagamie County veterans service officer,” teller supervisor Patt Kox said. “He spoke about what he can do for veterans to help them with the paperwork to qualify for benefits. They were all very excited that we were able to get all the things on their wish list.”

Senior accounting specialist and veteran David Stone had lunch catered for Milwaukee’s Fisher House, a nonprofit that provides temporary housing for families while veterans undergo care at the VA Medical Center. Leftover funds were donated to the VA.

And a longtime customer who belongs to American Legion Post 1 sent a really nice thank-you email to Germantown branch manager Erica Hughes, in response to the bank’s recent donation and her visit to the post:

On behalf of the Germantown Area Veterans I would like to thank you and North Shore Bank for the generous donation to the Germantown Area Veterans Memorial Inc.

I would especially like to thank you for your role in procuring this donation. I appreciate the fact that you took time out of your busy schedule to attend the American Legion Post #1 meeting on Wednesday, November 10th to present the donation and speak at the meeting. It is always exciting to see area businesses support and recognize the sacrifices made by Veterans who served this great country.

I would also like to thank North Shore Bank for their support of the Honor Flight in southeastern Wisconsin. I hope that the banks’ leadership in support of Veterans is recognized by other businesses in the community and inspires them to join you in the support of Veterans.

Again, on behalf of the Germantown Area Veterans I want to thank you for your generosity.

Thanks again to all of the employees who have helped the bank show support for our veterans this month!