Heroes In Transition (HIT) is entering its 14th year with the continued support of Cape Cod 5, which has renewed its commitment through the Cape Cod 5 Foundation as a Community Partner. In that capacity, the bank is providing the type of year-round support the Cape-based nonprofit needs to not only deliver its programs, but take strategic steps to grow so it can serve more individuals in the region.
HIT was formed by Cyndy and the late Kenneth Jones of Mashpee, following the death of their only son, U.S. Marine Captain Eric A. Jones, who was killed in a helicopter crash in October 2009 while flying a combat mission in Afghanistan. HIT honors Eric’s life, service, and sacrifice by providing assistance to service members, veterans, and military families in our region.
“On an annual basis, we serve thousands of individuals through more than 10 programs which provide healing, strengthen relationships, build community, and empower those we serve,” said HIT Executive Director Nicole Spencer. “This is work that literally saves lives and marriages while allowing those we serve to achieve their personal and professional goals. We cannot do this work without the support of businesses like Cape Cod 5 Foundation which has been a tremendous partner to HIT for the past 11 years.”
Cape Cod 5’s commitment to giving back to the military starts at the top. Its CEO Matthew Burke is an Army National Guard veteran. He served eight years in the military which included a deployment to Iraq in 2004.
“Cape Cod 5 is a proud supporter of Heroes In Transition because of the work they do to create an entire community ready and willing to help veterans, service members, and their families in assimilating back into civilian life,” Burke said. “We owe so much to all who serve and have served our country, and who have fought to protect our freedoms and our communities. We are so grateful for the sacrifices of all veterans, active service members, reservists, and their families. Cape Cod 5 is committed to repaying their service in whatever small ways we can.”
Those efforts can be witnessed in a wide range of bank activities, from hiring practices to the philanthropic activities of its employees.
Cape Cod 5 currently has 13 employees who are either currently serving or have served in the military. That includes Priscilla Starr of Centerville, an information security administrator at Cape Cod 5, who has served in the Air National Guard for the past nine years.
A captain with the 101st Intelligence Squadron, Starr enlisted in her mid-30s because “I was looking for a new challenge and wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself,” she said.
The bank has been supportive of her military journey.
She expressed appreciation to Cape Cod 5 for taking extra steps to extend its support of the military by providing critical resources to organizations like HIT. “I’m not surprised they are supportive of a local organization like Heroes In Transition which assists veterans,” she said. “They aren’t just supporting me or those of us who work for them, but going above and beyond by reaching out to support other veterans and service members in our community being helped by HIT.”
Along with continuing as a HIT Community Partner, Cape Cod 5 sponsored HIT’s Fall Gala this past November and is a sponsor for its Ruck4HIT fundraiser in May.
Cape Cod 5’s giving has been embraced by its employees who routinely volunteer their time and talents to supporting military-related causes throughout the year. Sixteen of its employees volunteered for the annual Veterans Day breakfast at the Flying Bridge in Falmouth in November. And its branches collect items to send to troops stationed stateside as well as those deployed overseas.
To learn more about Cape Cod 5, visit their website at www.capecodfive.com.
Businesses interested in learning about how they can strengthen their support of Heroes In Transition by becoming a Community Partner should email contact@heroesintransition.org.
