Fifth Third Bank Seeks to Award Educational Scholarships to Chicago Area Families of Lost or Wounded Veterans

CHICAGO, Oct. 18, 2011 -- Fifth Third Bank Chicago recently launched a campaign to honor and serve veterans in the Chicagoland and NW Indiana communities. From now until Veterans Day, November 11, 2011, the bank is collecting donations in all of its financial centers for the Folds of Honor Scholarship Fund. This unique fund will provide educational scholarships to families of soldiers from our area who have been wounded or killed in action. Fifth Third Bank will match the total donations received up to $50,000.

Families of wounded or lost veterans are encouraged to visit the bank's campaign website and apply for a scholarship today.

Employees of Fifth Third are also giving hundreds of hours of service to local veterans organizations throughout the month of October. Among these efforts include staffing Sunday's "Heroes Ride," an event featuring a parade of over one thousand motorcycles that will raise money for Wounded Warriors and the Heart of a Marine Foundation, as well as hosting dinners and lunches at Hines VA Hospital, Fisher House, and St. Leo's Home for Veterans.

On Veteran's Day, the bank will host a day-long event "Honoring Those Who Serve" in the Great Hall of Union Station. Amidst the backdrop of ongoing live music and activity, bank employees will assemble 530 care packages that will be sent to area troops serving in Afghanistan and host a "Thank a Vet" station where the public can come and write notes and cards that will be sent to troops overseas and to local veterans. The day's efforts will culminate in a rally and press conference at 2 p.m. where city, state and bank officials will pay respect to those who serve our military and announce the total funds raised and the families who will benefit from the scholarships.