LAGUNA BEACH, CA--(Marketwired - September 01, 2015) - As part of a company "Month of Caring" initiative designed to uplift the military community, Wells Fargo's Orange County Inland division and Festival of Arts invited 300 veterans and guests to a special program on Sunday night.
"Providing a unique cultural art experience for military members and their families through the partnership with Wells Fargo was an incredible honor. Not only was it a fun night out, but also an opportunity to thank veterans for their bravery and service," said Festival of Arts President Fred Sattler.
Approximately 50 veterans who graduated from Working Wardrobes VetNet job placement and resume skill training program were invited to a Veteran's Hands on Banking seminar created especially for their needs. After the event the veterans enjoyed a dinner at Tivoli Terrace, with the Pageant of the Masters Director Diane Challis Davy as a special guest. After dinner those veterans and guests joined 200 other veterans for this summer's Pageant, "The Pursuit of Happiness." Prior to the show, the Pageant of the Masters dedicated Sunday's performance to all the veterans in the audience. They were asked to stand to be recognized for their bravery as well as thanked for their service by Pageant Narrator Richard Doyle. They received a standing ovation and soprano Ani Maldjian sang the national anthem.
"Our partnership with the Wells Fargo Foundation has opened amazing doors for us to serve many more clients. Beyond their generous grants to our VetNet program, the Wells Fargo team has offered hundreds of our veterans and families a once in a lifetime opportunity -- tickets to see the magnificent Pageant of the Masters and Festival of Arts fine art show in Laguna Beach," said Working Wardrobe VetNet's CEO Jerri Rosen. "Thousands of tourists flock to see this show from all over the world and because of this partnership; our Orange County Veterans can host their families to a remarkable living art performance. We are over the moon with gratitude and appreciation!"
"It's an honor for us to partner with Festival of Arts, Pageant of the Masters and Working Wardrobes VetNet to provide a fun and relaxing evening for some really brave men and women," said Joe Mishriki, Wells Fargo Inland Orange County Hills Area President. "Recognizing veterans connects directly with the vision and values of our company. In fact, Wells Fargo's Military Initiative has us focusing on giving back to these heroes who are defending our nation and in supporting our local military communities."
The "Wells Fargo Salutes Veterans" night is one of four events taking place in Orange County as the Pacific Midwest Region of Wells Fargo celebrates their "Month of Caring" to bring attention to veterans during the month of August.
- On August 29, Wells Fargo leaders and volunteers in Orange County stuffed 1,000 care packages to send to active duty military currently serving overseas. This was done in cooperation with the nonprofit "Operation Gratitude." Across the Pacific Midwest, Wells Fargo volunteers created 13,000 care packages.
- Throughout the month of August, Orange County Wells Fargo team members and family and friends wrote 10,000 letters of support to active duty military currently serving overseas. This project was also done in cooperation with the nonprofit "Operation Gratitude." Across the Pacific Midwest, 30,000 letters were sent by Wells Fargo.
- In September, Wells Fargo will send 500 veterans and their family members to an Angels baseball game.
In 2012, Wells Fargo created the Military & Veteran Segment to expand outreach to members of the military, veterans and their families who may be facing financial hardships as part of our commitment to helping communities succeed by being a part of the solution.
Wells Fargo's Program has surpassed its original three-year, $35 million goal by donating more than $49 million in its first two years toward programs to help military members, veterans and their families achieve and maintain homeownership, attain successful career transitions and succeed financially.
Wells Fargo has:
- Donated or is in the process of donating to wounded warriors more than 280 Real Estate Owned (REO) properties valued at more than $45 million
- Hired more than 3,800 veterans, and participated in more than 500 military job fairs since 2012. More than 150 team members are on military leave at any given time
- Launched Hands on Banking® for Military, a financial education program that has been viewed by more than 61,000 people since July 2013
- Donated well over $12 million to military -- and veteran -- related nonprofits since 2012
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL OF ARTS/PAGEANT OF THE MASTERS
The Festival of Arts of Laguna Beach is a 501c3 with a mission to promote, produce, and sponsor events and activities that encourage the appreciation, study and performance of the arts. Throughout each year the Festival of Arts sponsors art education and provides art scholarships and grants. Every summer the organization hosts California's premier open-air fine arts show and produces its most famous attraction, the Pageant of the Masters. The Pageant of the Masters is arguably one of the most unique productions in the entire world. Audiences are amazed and enchanted by ninety minutes of tableaux vivants ("living pictures"), incredibly faithful re-creations of classical and contemporary works of art, with real people posing to look exactly like their counterparts in the original pieces. www.FestivalofArts.org.
ABOUT WELLS FARGO
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