“Mr. Miller,” the voice on the phone began — polite, formal, and immediately to the point. “Why are you asking for my dad’s money?”
The caller was Brooks Brown, age 9.
His father, Benjamin Brown, EVP of Client Experience & Consumer Banking at Community Bank, had just received a text from Matt Miller, COO of Brand Motives — a well-timed, half-serious nudge suggesting that Community Bank might want to help close out the American Legion Post 175 Honor Guard fundraiser in a meaningful way.
Brown didn’t text back. He called — and handed the phone to his son.
“What do you plan to use his money for?” Brooks pressed.
Miller explained that the Honor Guard needs a new vehicle. The van they rely on to transport veterans to ceremonies, funerals and community events is so worn that parts are literally falling off. A new bus wouldn’t just be a convenience — it would be a tribute to the Honor Guard and to every veteran they’ve ever shown up for.
Brooks considered this carefully.
“Mr. Miller… $250 is a lot of money.”
(The ask was $2,500 — but the spirit was exactly right.)
Brooks went quiet for a moment. Then, he was in.
From the background, Brown chimed in: “Since Mr. Miller convinced you to donate the bank’s money … maybe you want to donate some of your own?”
“From my piggy bank?” Brooks asked.
“Yes,” Brown said.
“Since it’s for the veterans,” Brooks said, “I don’t mind taking money from my piggy bank.”
(Though, as Brown later noted: “Don’t tell Brooks — we didn’t actually raid his piggy bank. His mom and I covered it.”)
It was a small moment in dollars. But it captured everything this campaign became.
Ben Brown and Brittany Kasper of Community Bank proudly present the American Legion Post 175 Honor Guard with the final check needed to help purchase their new bus.
A community that showed up
What began months earlier as a grassroots effort to replace a failing vehicle became, in the end, a $115,000 demonstration of what Washington County can do when it rallies around a shared mission.
The turning point came when Range Resources made a $12,500 contribution — activating a Washington County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Promotion Agency challenge grant and fundamentally changing the campaign’s momentum.
“When the community calls, Range Resources and our members respond,” said Jeff Kotula, president of the Chamber and Tourism Promotion Agency.
“We felt called to support the Honor Guard because we want to play a small part in honoring the service and sacrifice of our local veterans — past, present and future,” said Christina Kramer, community relations manager for Range Resources. “It’s inspiring to see individuals and businesses across Washington County come together to make this possible.”
Range’s gift reflects a longstanding commitment to veteran-focused giving in the region, including its Veterans United Fund, operated in partnership with the United Way of Washington County.
“Range’s support was the turning point,” said Dennis Bailey, who helped lead the fundraising effort. “That moment gave this campaign the final energy needed to get to the finish line.”
Additional contributions followed quickly, including a $2,500 gift from Alex Paris Construction. Community Bank, which had helped launch the effort in its earliest stages, wrote the final check that pushed the campaign across the finish line — a fitting bookend for an effort that Brown, Miller and Bailey had helped guide from the very beginning.
More than a vehicle
The new bus for the Honor Guard has been ordered, with delivery expected in the coming weeks.
For Bailey, the moment carries weight beyond the dollar figure.
“The van we’ve been using has hauled veterans for years — and it’s been held together by hope and duct tape,” he said. “This new vehicle isn’t just transportation. It’s a tribute to the Honor Guard and to every veteran they’ve ever shown up for. They deserve something that reflects the dignity of the service they provide.”
From Range Resources’ catalytic gift to the generosity of Community Bank, Alex Paris Construction, U.S. Steel, Washington Financial, AccuTrex and countless others across the county, the campaign became a true reflection of Washington County at its best — businesses, neighbors, and yes, even one kid’s piggy bank.