We welcome back Allan Jamir to Brian's Board of Advisors!

Allan Jamir (‘Jammer’) was one of the original board members of Brian’s Foundation back in 1992.  We welcome him back to our Board of Advisors!  Jammer retired last month from Camera Corner Connecting Point as the VP of Community Relations.  

He states,"Being on the board provides an amazing feeling of purpose. I never had the pleasure of meeting Brian in flesh yet I know his spirit is all around us in how we think and how we honor students and our military men and women defending our freedom, liberty and way of life. It is my honor to serve Brian as member of the board." 

Jammer is one of the most involved members of the Green Bay community that we know. He is a great ‘big brother’ to 10 year old Baylee and a board member through Big Brother Big Sisters.  Other organizations he works with include (but not limited to), Green Bay Chamber of Commerce, Heritage Hill Foundation, Scholarships Inc, St. Norbert President’s Advisory Council, UWGB MLK-Caesar Chavez Scholarship Advisory Council, Golden House and Junior Achievement.

He and his lovely wife Penny have 9 God Children and enjoys fly-fishing, ballroom dancing, golfing, traveling, cooking and helping to bring out the best in our community through community service. And that he does.

Update from our South African Scholarship recipient

Andisani Tsengiwe has received our South African Scholarship for the 4th year in a row. Sponsors, Paul and Gloria Zimmerman decided to award the recipient for 4 years of his or her school, to assure they continue their eduction. Andisani continues to change the lives of those around him through his schooling. We are very proud of him!

Andisani pictured here with John Gilmour,
Director of LEAP school of Science and Math in S. Africa

"I decided to become a teacher because I love working with people and seeing positive change happening to me and the people around me. I am currently studying at UNISA (University of South Africa). I am majoring in English, my mother tongue language (IsiXhosa) and psychology as my back up subject. I love to involve myself with sports, especially soccer. I love to engage with people around me, getting to know people in a real and honest way.” Andisani

Brian's Foundation teams up with MilSpec Tours!

We are excited to team up with MilSpec Tours for Veterans!  MilSpec Tours will graciously donate $100 to the General George S. Patton Scholarship of Honor fund on behalf of every member who participates in their Pilsen Liberation Festival tour.

Every year, the historic city of Pilsen in the Czech Republic gathers to celebrate the liberation of their city by General Patton's 3rd Army. People gather from around the world to enjoy the festivities and say 'thank you'.










As part of the Pilsen Liberation Festival, the first General George S Patton Scholarship of Honor will be ceremonially awarded by General Patton’s grandson George Patton Waters and WW II veteran Marion Kirkham in honor of his brother Virgil Kirkham, killed near Pilsen on April 30 1945, the last recorded American USAAF pilot killed in Europe during WWII.  You can find more details on the scholarship at General Patton Scholarship


Please consider joining MilSpec Tours on a one-of-a-kind tour! Download a copy of their brochure here: Pilsen/European Tour with MilSpecs

We can't thank them enough for partnering with Brian's Foundation! 

We welcome Fran Anderson, Brian's Aunt to our Board of Advisors!

Fran will serve in conjunction with her husband Ron, who is currently on the Board.

Fran is retired from a 30 year career serving in managerial and executive positions in residential and health care facilities.  She enjoys spending time with family, golfing and outdoor activities. Her and Ron have been involved with Brian's Foundation since the beginning and we are excited to have her on board!

20 Years-20 accomplishments

35 years ago today, Brian came into this world. 

20 years ago this year, we established the Brian LaViolette Foundation.

When we established Brian's Foundation, we had no idea what would become of it.  We had a vision of keeping our promise to him to accomplish great things in his name and memory, but we weren't sure how it would all go. 

Establishing a non-profit 501c3 foundation was something we had never done.  There were dozens of questions, but one stood out, 'would we continue with just one scholarship at Brian's High School or would we expand?' The only way to know was to try.  So we did.

20 years, 20 milestone accomplishments

It is hard to single out 20 accomplishments over our 20 years as a Foundation, but again, we will try. Building on the $21,000 we received at Brian's funeral, we successfully became a 501c3 Foundation, awarding our first Brian LaViolette Scholarship at DePere High School in 1993. Creating "The Journey is the Reward Collection"-a series of inspirational prints and Green Bay Packers Hats embroidered with the Packer's NFL emblem. Expanding from one scholarship to eight in 1997.  Partnering with Scholarships Inc. to award the Distinguished Student Awards in Brown and Door County, WI.  We presented 26 scholarships in 1999! That same year, on 9.9.99, we held our first Celebrity Autograph Auction, including a Mercedes Benz raffle. Publishing "The Journey is the Reward" book, co-authored by Karoyn Gazella. Having a successful "Journey to the Stars" event with Henry Winkler.. yes, the 'Fonz'. Creating the Scholarship of Honor Program in 2003 to honor our military heroes. Expanding worldwide to Poland, eventually awarding 7 annual scholarships there. Hiring the Foundation's first and only full-time employee in 2006, Brian's Sister, Kim. Spearheading the national 2007 Medal of Honor Convention in Green Bay, WI, involving the entire community and nation in 26 memorable events. Expanding 'headquarters' to another rent-free location in North Carolina. Establishing a scholarship in South Africa.. Being granted a Public Charity Foundation designation. Trademarking "The Journey is the Reward". Having part of our website in the Czech language after the General George Patton Scholarship was established in Pilsen, Czech Republic. Honoring and remembering 30 others, in addition to Brian, with scholarships in their names. Celebrating 'What's Right with America' on 11.11.11 inspiring a worldwide audience and awarding the first Brian LaViolette Spirit Awards. 2012 marks the year that we will grow and award scholarships in 13 states and 3 foreign countries. This year also marks the year that we will present our 500th scholarship!