OCEANSIDE–In honor of National Military Appreciation Month, Wells Fargo and Company said today it is donating $50,000 to Veterans Association of North County (VANC). The donation will support the construction of their 10,000 square foot resource center in Oceanside, allowing VANC to better serve the North County military and veteran communities.
“We are so grateful for Wells Fargo’s generous donation; this will help us to move forward towards our goal of transforming the existing building into a facility that addresses the specific needs of our veterans, active-duty personnel, and their families,” said Chuck Atkinson, VANC CEO and Founder. The nonprofit still needs to raise an additional $650,000 to complete the estimated $1.1 million project.
VANC is an umbrella association that represents more than 30 veteran organizations spanning all branches of military service including reserve personnel and encompassing all generations, from active duty through retirees. The nonprofit is first of its kind in North County to serve as a one-stop resource center for all veterans and military, centralizing the services of diverse agencies to assist them with jobs, education and enrollment in online colleges for military, finances, health and wellness, and family issues.
Also in celebration of Military Appreciation Month, Wells Fargo is showing its appreciation in all 103 banking locations and 324 ATMS with special programs and offers for military members and their families, throughout the month of May. Wells Fargo also sponsored the Armed Forces Day Operation Appreciation event in Oceanside. At the event thousands of active duty military and their family members were treated to a day of free food, carnival rides and entertainment at the Oceanside Pier Amphitheatre.
“On behalf of our San Diego team members, I’d like to recognize and thank the service members and families of those who so bravely serve our Country,” said Brian Lee, Wells Fargo’s North San Diego area president and military advocate. “I’d also like to recognize the tremendous work of the Veterans Association of North County whose services truly make a difference in the lives of our north San Diego military and veterans, who no longer need to travel to San Diego to receive these vital services.”
In addition to helping military members and their families succeed financially; Wells Fargo continues to increase local support of veterans, active duty and their families. Last year, the company donated $400,000 to nonprofits that serve active duty military, their families and veterans. San Diego team members also volunteered thousands of hours to support the military community with activities such as decorating Balboa Naval Hospital for the holidays with the Warrior Foundation and creating welcome home bags for returning military in partnership with the USO.
