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For Your Life January 10, 2024

Old National Bank 'Gives to the Max' for Minnesota veterans assistance

Since 2009, Minnesotans have embraced a state-wide, one-day giving event called Give to the Max Day. The campaign, led by GiveMN, has seen over $300 million in donations to more than 14,000 nonprofits and schools over the past 15 years.

Old National Bank joined the effort in 2021, putting the power of choice in its team members’ hands.

“We created an internal ‘Choose Your Charity’ campaign where we ask Minnesota team members to nominate their favorite local nonprofit,” said Casey Merkwan, Community Marketing and Engagement Manager for Old National Bank’s Minnesota Market. “It’s one of my favorite campaigns we do. I love seeing the excitement, competition, and championing of everyone’s favorite nonprofits.”

Nominations are collected, and after the nonprofits have been vetted for eligibility, the nominees are entered into an internal voting poll, where team members from across Old National’s Midwest and Southeast footprint can vote.

“We have a very collaborative network here at Old National, so our team members embrace their relationships across the footprint and ask for support to help their nonprofit win,” Merkwan said.

In 2023 the winning nonprofit was the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans. MACV’s mission is to end veteran homelessness. The nonprofit was championed by Old National’s team-member-run Military Veterans Impact Network (MVIN).

Earlier in 2023 the Minnesota MVIN volunteered with MACV for the first time, cleaning the yard of a local veteran’s home. Inspired by their volunteer work, the local chapter of the MVIN decided to band together and nominate the nonprofit. Then, tapping into MVIN chapters across the footprint, they were able to receive the majority of votes by a landslide.

“It was fun to rally the troops to support our nomination of MACV this year as I come from a military family and love serving on the Military Veterans Impact Network,” said Kristin Groenewold, Mortgage Loan Originator for Old National Bank, and a member of the MVIN. “I’m extremely proud of our country and those who sacrificed to serve in our military … it was easy to gain support on this one.”

As a result, MACV received $10,000 from Old National Bank. Team members presented the nonprofit with the big check on Give to the Max Day, which was Nov. 16.

“Our team was so excited when we heard the news that the employees of Old National Bank had chosen us for their Give to the Max support this year,” said Shaun Riffe, Development Director for MACV. “Everyone in the Military Veterans Impact Network has gone above and beyond this past year, from volunteering their time, championing our mission, and donating to support our work for Minnesota veterans. We are honored to have this level of support and trust to our mission,”

Since 2021, Old National has donated $40,000 through its Give to the Max Campaign. In 2022 there was a tie, where two nonprofits each received the $10,000 donation.

Previous winners include:

For more information on how Old National gives back to local communities go to oldnational.com/about-us/community.

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