Leadership Green Bay Team 6

Leadership Green Bay Class of 2024, Team 6 Fundraising Efforts for Veterans 1st of Northeast Wisconsin

What started as a simple class project turned into something much more meaningful for Team 6 of Leadership Green Bay’s Class of 2024. Tasked with identifying a way to make a lasting impact in the community, the team found themselves drawn to the work being done by Veterans 1st of Northeast Wisconsin.

After meeting with the team at Veterans 1st, it became clear that they needed help with more than just building homes. They needed space—somewhere to safely store tools, building materials, maintenance supplies, and belongings for future residents. That’s when the idea for the Carriage House came into focus.

Team 6 committed to raising the funds to make that structure a reality: a 30x40 foot garage that would serve as the backbone for the ongoing work at the Veterans 1st Tiny Homes Village. It will also be the place where our woodworking classes will take place. It wasn’t a small undertaking—the estimated cost was around $80,000, including construction, a concrete foundation, and permitting. But the team got to work.

To help reach their goal, Team 6 created a community-driven sponsorship campaign. Different contribution levels gave donors opportunities to be recognized based on their level of support:

• Roof Sponsor ($10,000+): Logo on signage and celebration materials, media mentions, and a walkthrough with the team before the ribbon-cutting.
• Truss Sponsor ($5,000): Logo included on garage and event signage.
• Wall Sponsor ($2,500): Name featured on garage signage and materials.
• Foundational Sponsor ($1,000): Name listed on signage and celebration materials.

The response from local businesses and individuals was incredibly generous. Through events, conversations, and plenty of outreach, Team 6 hit their goal.

Major thanks go to the following sponsors, as of May 2025:

Roof Sponsors

• Forest Construction
• Humana Inc

Truss Sponsors

• VDH Electric
• BayCare Clinic
• Club Carwash

Wall Sponsor

• Bellin Health

Foundational Sponsors

• Zachary & Anna Pierce
• Fairchild Equipment
• Wes & Kim Garner
• Renard’s Cheese
• Hager, Dewick, & Zuengler
• GLC Minerals
• Nicolet Bank
• CoVantage Credit Union

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the generous donors who have supported our project to build a Carriage House for Veterans Tiny Home Village. Your contributions play a crucial role in our mission to provide housing solutions for those who have served our country.

A special acknowledgment goes to Forest Construction, our Top Tier Roof sponsor, for their incredible generosity in providing discounted materials and labor for the construction of the Carriage House. Your commitment to our cause has made a significant impact.

We also want to express our sincere appreciation to all our GoFundMe donors and other community supporters, including:

Dorsch Ford Kia for their creative employee fundraiser, allowing staff to wear jeans in support of our project.

Bergstrom Automotive for donating a signed Jordan Love Football, which has become a cherished item in our fundraising efforts.

9th Street Wellness for auctioning off the Jordan Love Football, further contributing to our fundraising success.

Witt Chevy for their continued support and generosity.

Zimbaldi Beer for their amazing fundraiser.

Together, you have shown what it means to be a caring community. Thank you for your unwavering support and belief in our mission. We look forward to sharing updates on the progress of the Carriage House and the positive impact it will have on our veterans.

Members of Team 6—Alex Glysch, Ami Gignac, Dan Mondloch, Joe Kasprzycki, Maria Padilla, Marissa Heim, Mikaela Sullivan, and Stephanie Rougvie—poured their time, energy, and creativity into making this happen. Fundraisers, sponsorship asks, and simply spreading the word all played a role in making the Carriage House possible.

A huge thank you also goes out to their mentors, Glen Tilot and Justin Aman, who provided steady guidance throughout the process.

As the Carriage House moves into the construction phase, it’s more than just another building going up. It represents the impact a small, determined team can have when they come together to serve others. It’s also a powerful reminder that when we invest in our veterans, we’re not just helping them—we’re building a stronger, more compassionate community for everyone.

Team 6 is proud to have played a part in this project and to support the mission of Veterans 1st of Northeast Wisconsin. We can’t wait to see the Carriage House standing tall at the Tiny Homes Village—built by and for the community, and in honor of those who’ve served.