Real Outreach: Supporting the Military Community Through Service
Supporting the military community can take many forms. Sometimes it’s assembling care packages for deployed service members. Other times it’s volunteering at a veterans’ event, honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice, or creating space for military families to feel seen and supported. Across Bolton & Menk, employees found meaningful ways to give back this year, reflecting the spirit of service that connects our communities and our Military Affinity Group.
Supporting Families on a Meaningful Day of Remembrance
In Greenville, South Carolina, our team partnered with Upstate Warrior Solution to support families participating in the Memorial Day Palmetto Heroes Hike, an event that honors families who have lost a loved one in the line of duty. Volunteers created care packages for honorees and their families, offering a gesture of encouragement on a day filled with remembrance.
“You all definitely made a difference to the families on one of their hardest days of the year,” said Charlotte Edwardson, director of community engagement at Upstate Warrior Solutions. She also shared that “one of the kids screamed with excitement when receiving the package,” a small but exciting moment that reflected the impact of a thoughtful act.
Sending Care to Deployed Service Members
Our coastal locations in Wilmington and Myrtle Beach also supported the military community through a partnership with Blue Star Mothers of the Coastal Carolinas. Together, team members collected donations and helped fill care packages for deployed service members, providing encouragement and a reminder that those serving far from home are remembered and supported.
The organization also welcomed addresses submitted by Bolton & Menk employees for deployed service members who could receive seasonal care packages. This personal connection helped extend the impact of the effort to family members, friends, and loved ones connected to our employee network.
Creating Welcoming Spaces for Veterans
In Charlotte, North Carolina, volunteers partnered with Veterans Bridge Home and Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation for a beautification project that supported Veterans Bridge Home’s mission. The effort helped create a welcoming space while connecting veterans in transition with the community, corporate groups, employment opportunities, and one another.
“It was meaningful to be part of an event that honors those who have served our country,” said Jack Brown, engineering graduate. “Seeing so many different organizations and Bolton & Menk team members come together made it especially rewarding.”
Honoring Service Through Memorial Day Flag Events
In the Midwest, Bolton & Menk volunteers participated in Memorial Day flag events to honor those who served our country. In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, team members joined the Field of Flags event at the Milwaukee War Memorial, where volunteers placed 12,301 flags in the Civil War section.
In Minnesota, volunteers helped remove more than 10,000 flags at Fort Snelling Cemetery following Memorial Day events. Working alongside more than a thousand other volunteers, the team helped care for the gravesites with respect and gratitude.
“As a U.S. Army veteran, I am deeply grateful that Bolton & Menk made this opportunity a priority,” said Chelly Sundermeyer, environmental planner. “Allowing us to demonstrate our enduring respect for those who served and sacrificed while reaffirming that the legacy of military service continues to be honored by our community.”
Fundraising and Community Engagement for Veterans
In Fargo, North Dakota, employees supported the North Dakota Veterans Home fundraiser through a golf event in partnership with American Legion Post 37 out of Williston. The event gave team members an opportunity to connect with veteran community members and celebrate their service.
For Colton Brown, a transportation design engineer, the event carried a personal connection. “Whether it was during his 20 years of service in the military or serving his community through nonprofits like the American Legion, my dad has always set an example of what it means to serve others,” he shared. “Through that I can carry that idea into my career as an engineer. It really hits home working for Bolton & Menk when we get to focus on the idea of ‘Real People. Real Solutions.’ serving the communities we work in.”
Continuing Our Commitment to the Military Community
Each of these efforts reflects Bolton & Menk’s commitment to supporting the military community. Across locations and regions, our teams found meaningful ways to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice, support service members serving far from home, and encourage veterans and their families. Through partnerships, volunteerism, remembrance, and personal connections, our people continue to show gratitude in ways that leave a lasting impact.
