LANSING, MI -- Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II joined the Community Bankers of Michigan (CBM), Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS), and Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) to highlight Michigan students from military families who are receiving scholarships. CBM members have raised more than $100,000 funding $5,000 scholarships for 20 Michigan students through Folds of Honor, a national nonprofit that provides scholarships to spouses and children of America's fallen and disabled service members. 

“I am proud to celebrate these scholarship awards alongside DIFS and CBM,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “Scholarships afforded me the opportunity to go to college—I know the difference these resources make for these students whose family members have given so much to our nation. Governor Whitmer and I are committed to giving Michigan students the tools they need to thrive, and to support Michigan veterans and their families. Congratulations to Summer, Colin, and Lauryn.” 

“These students and their families have made incredible sacrifices in service to our country, and I am honored to join Michigan’s banking industry in recognizing these deserving recipients and ensuring that those who protect our country are never forgotten,” said Anita Fox, Director of DIFS. “These scholarships are just one of the many ways Michigan’s banks support the communities they serve and DIFS is proud to join CBM in honoring and supporting Michigan’s military families.” 

“The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency is proud to work alongside organizations like Folds of Honor to give back to our military families,” said Zaneta Adams, Director of MVAA. “Children and spouses of service members make sacrifices that often go unnoticed, and we must work to make sure they have the tools they need to succeed. These scholarships will change the lives of Michigan students and I applaud the efforts of Community Bankers of Michigan and Folds of Honor to make this happen.” 

“Community bankers from across the state of Michigan went all in to support Folds of Honor as they in turn honor the sacrifice of military families by educating their legacies,” said Michael J. Tierney, president and CEO of CBM. “Folds of Honor has provided 44,000 scholarships to U.S. military families equaling over $200 million of critical support. Folds of Honor was founded by Lt. Col. Dan Rooney based in part upon his inspirational experience on a flight carrying a fallen soldier to Grand Rapids, Michigan. We are the land of the free, because we are the home of the brave service members who in many cases made the ultimate sacrifice for all of us and our communities. We are delighted to be able to provide over $100,000 in scholarships to Michigan military families through Folds of Honor – and on Sep 21st’s scholarship recipients make us all very proud to help support this noble mission.” 

Folds of Honor is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of military members who have fallen or been disabled while serving in the United States armed forces. Beginning in 2022, Folds of Honor expanded its mission to include first responders. To learn more about Folds of Honor, visit FoldsofHonor.org.