Et cetera : Quaker-PepsiCo employees donate $85,000 to Honor Flight organization

The Eastern Iowa Honor Flight today received a donation of $85,000.00 from the employees of the Quaker-PepsiCo Companies. A group of employees who are veterans and known as the Valor Group have spearheaded ongoing fundraising programs among employees of the company, and then those funds raised are matched by PepsiCo. Quaker sponsored one flight last year, and is sponsoring two flights this year, including the upcoming flight on Tuesday, October 21, 2014. We will then begin planning for 4 flights in 2015. “I spent 20 years in the military. Spending a day as a guardian is probably the most rewarding opportunity you could have,” said Allen Stekl, who works in Quaker Oats’ business unit and is a member of the Valor Group. We are greatly appreciative of Quaker's continued involvement and partnership in our continuing mission of honoring our veterans. A 501(c)3 federally recognized non-profit organization, we are dependent on individuals, groups, and corporations for our funding. We are all volunteers who take no salaries, with every dollar raised going to support and fund flight operations. To learn more about the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight, how to donate, or volunteer, please visit our website at eihonorflight.org. Applications for veterans to apply for a flight are there also. We also invite the public to come out to the Eastern Iowa Airport on Tuesday, October 21, 2014 to welcome these veterans home and thank them for their service. Estimated arrival time is 10:30 PM. It is a wonderfully emotional "welcome home."