National Heroes Day Giveaway Honors Rural First Responders
Every day, volunteer first responders show up ready to protect and serve. Their work is critical to the safety and well-being of rural communities, and they do it without fanfare, without hesitation and often without the tools or funding they need.
To recognize their dedication, Compeer Home launched the National Heroes Day Giveaway in partnership with our parent company, Compeer Financial. We awarded $2,500 each to three volunteer departments across our territory in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Community members were invited to nominate a volunteer fire, rescue or ambulance department in their area for a chance to receive a gift in honor of National Heroes Day.
A Community-Driven Effort
Between May 15 and June 30, nominations poured in from across our territory, each one a heartfelt gesture of appreciation for the people who answer the call when it matters most. More than 1,400 entries were submitted, highlighting hundreds of departments doing essential work in rural communities every day. The overwhelming response was a powerful reminder of how deeply these departments are valued and how connected rural communities remain to the people who serve them.
Three winners were selected at random, and each receiving department will be recognized as part of Compeer’s National Heroes Day celebration.
Meet the 2025 Giveaway Winners
Southeast Livingston County Ambulance Service – Fairbury, Illinois
Nominated by Amy Ifft, this volunteer ambulance service is a trusted presence in Fairbury and surrounding towns, covering 425 square miles of rural terrain. Their $2,500 gift will help fund a new ambulance better equipped for challenging backroad and winter conditions, ensuring safer, more reliable service for the community.
“That is exactly what donations like this will enable us to have,” said Jeremy Stoller, emergency medical services (EMS) coordinator at SELCAS. “To better protect our people and get places we need to go.”
St. Clair Fire Department – St. Clair, Minnesota
Nominated by Michelle May on behalf of her father, John “Jack” May, this department serves the City of St. Clair and surrounding rural townships in southern Minnesota. Their $2,500 gift will go toward a new fire truck, an urgent need in a region where volunteers cover large distances.
“This donation is important to our department because we are purchasing a new fire truck, and for the first time since I’ve been here, we had to ask each of the townships to help us pay for it,” said fire chief Bill Fitzloff. “Every other time, we’ve been able to raise enough funds to cover the cost, but prices keep rising and our community base has been slowly declining.”
Brownsville Fire Company – Brownsville, Wisconsin
Nominated by Jenifer Oechsner, this department of 34 volunteers covers over 100 square miles, responding to fires, medical calls and accidents. The $2,500 gift provides peace of mind and flexibility for whatever needs arise in the next budget cycle.
“It helps me not have to worry about where to find extra money if we need to dig a little deeper someplace,” said fire chief Kelly Thomas.
Rural First Responders: At the Heart of Community
Volunteer emergency departments are more than service providers. They’re part of the fabric of rural life. They’re neighbors, family members and friends who step forward in moments of crisis. Supporting them means supporting the safety, strength and future of the communities we serve.
At Compeer Home, our commitment to championing rural communities goes beyond helping people live in the country. It’s about investing in the people and places that make rural life work. Supporting first responders is one way we help ensure our clients and neighbors can live in safe, thriving communities.
“In rural communities, everyday heroes live alongside us – ready to answer a call for help at any hour, in any conditions, sometimes in a family’s darkest times,” said Karen Schieler, manager of corporate giving at Compeer Financial. “Our volunteer first responders make rural communities a better and safer place to live. We are grateful to celebrate them as they give themselves in the service to others. There are no bigger heroes than them.”
“We believe strong rural communities aren’t just about where you live, they’re about the people who support and protect them,” added Compeer Home director of lending Chad McGlothlen. “This giveaway was a way to honor the first responders who make it possible for our clients and neighbors to live safely in the places they love.”
Championing Rural Communities — Every Day
The National Heroes Day Giveaway is just one way Compeer Home supports the communities where our clients live and work. As part of Compeer Financial, we’re proud to contribute to the Fund for Rural America, a giving program established in 2018 to support five key areas vital to rural life:
- Agricultural Advocacy & Development
- Agriculture Education
- Cooperative Initiatives
- Rural Development & Community Enrichment
- Youth Engagement
Each year, 1% of Compeer’s annual net earnings is invested back into our territory through the Fund, totaling more than $28.6 million to date.
Whether through grants, scholarships or initiatives like the National Heroes Day Giveaway, we remain committed to helping rural communities thrive now and for the future.
Thank you to every individual who submitted a nomination. Your voice helped honor the departments that protect and serve rural America. And to our winners, we’re proud to celebrate with you and stand with you as you continue making an impact where it matters most.