Air Force Veteran Sean Kingsbury (son of past Sycamore Rotary President and current Sergeant at Arms Paulette Renault) updated Rotarians on his work with the VFW Foundation during this week’s meeting. Kingsbury got involved with the VFW starting in 2007 after returning from Iraq. He noted that the VFW has been providing support for soldiers since 1899, but thought it was lacking interest from more recent veterans. Using skills learned from earning an MBA through the GI Bill and marketing experience from his job at State Farm Insurance, Kingsbury said he embarked on a plan to add financial support and relevant events to the VFW Foundation.
Kingsbury explained that he wanted to use team building and physical fitness as ways to attract younger veterans to the organization. He said his plans to reshape the organization’s image of “drinking beer and throwing darts” has started to come to fruition. One catalyst was a $3 million grant from the Eli Lilly Company. Another has been a tactical team skill building competition named “Seven Devils” organized for October in odd-numbered years which allows more recent veterans to use their physical fitness skills as a way to bond with fellow members.
For his exemplary volunteerism and organizational skills, Kingsbury was made an honorary Foundation board member. After serving just one year in this honorary role, he was asked to fill a newly-vacated full board seat. His board member colleagues then immediately elected him to be the organization's next Board Chair. Sean helps guide the organization in its support of veterans, service members, and their families.