Community Involvement
Jaburg|Wilk employees participate in the AZCrew
10th Annual "Golfiesta '11" benefitting Ryan House
Jaburg|Wilk was a proud sponsor of the 2011 Taste of Town Event
benefitting Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Local VFW Honors AZ National Guard with Breakfast
by Sgt. Ed Balaban, Arizona National Guard Public
Affairs
PHOENIX (Sept. 12, 2009) - Patriotism and service can show
themselves in very different ways, as was evidenced when a local
Veterans of Foreign Wars post hosted a soon-to-deploy Arizona Army
National Guard unit for breakfast only a day after the nation
paused to remember the world-changing events of 9/11.
A few weeks ago, Army Sgt. Ryan Hinchcliff, a member of the
deploying 2-285th Assault Helicopter Battalion, called his cousin
Diane Cupp, and asked if she would mind arranging a going-away
event for his unit. Cupp, who is presently attending culinary
school, said she would help. What began as a small event for some
family and friends snowballed into an outpouring of community and
business support that provided 300 meals to Hinchcliff's unit. Cupp
invited the 2-285th to attend the breakfast at VFW Post #720.
"With the impending deployment and just a day after 9/11, it
just seemed like the right thing to do to honor and show our
support," stated Cupp.
But how does a not-for-profit organization like a local VFW post
finance and prepare a 300-person meal? Cupp explained that she
approached several grocery, food and retail outlets in the Phoenix
area, sharing with each vendor that this event was the perfect
opportunity to display support for the sacrifices of Arizona's
Citizen Soldiers and their families. Food and supplies poured in
from Fry's Grocery Stores, Hickman's Farms, Sam's Club, Shamrock
Foods, Shreiner Sausage Co., and Wal-Mart. Additionally, about 15
of Cupp's co-workers at local business law firm Jaburg Wilk, upon
hearing of her endeavor, volunteered to help cook and serve the
Soldiers.
Army Lt. Col. Greg Bush, commander of 2-285th, called for
everyone's attention during breakfast and presented Cupp and post
commander Nick Tamilio a command coin. In his comments, Bush
expressed his gratitude to the post and all the volunteers who came
out to support and feed his troops on a Saturday. Bush said simply,
"It was awesome!"
Cupp was also overwhelmed by the success of the event, stating
"I was amazed at the outpouring of support from the business
community and the enthusiasm of those who volunteered to help."
Cupp lost her Navy-veteran husband to cancer two years ago. Gazing
towards her young daughter who was interacting with some of the
troops, Cupp said "I want my daughter to have this connection to
our military, as we are all family."
Army Lt. Col. Greg Bush, right, commander of 2-285th Assault
Helicopter Battalion of the Arizona Army National Guard, presents
his coin to VFW Post #720 commander Nick Tamilio, left, as event
organizer Diane Cupp, center, admires her coin. Bush termed the
show of support for his soon to deploy troops as "awesome!"
(Arizona National Guard/ Army Sgt. Ed Balaban)
Volunteers from Phoenix business law firm Jaburg Wilk work the
kitchen and serving stations at VFW Post #720 in preparation for
delivering breakfast to members of 2-285th Assault Helicopter
Battalion of the Arizona Army National Guard. Community and
business leaders wanted to show their support to the unit prior to
its deployment next month to Iraq. (Arizona National Guard/ Army
Sgt. Ed Balaban)