MARQUETTE, MI – June 19, 2020– The Forsyth Township Fire Department, which serves the Gwinn community, lost one of their own earlier this year. At a mere 23 years old, Captain Ben Lauren was killed in the line of duty on March 13, 2020, while battling a structure fire. He was a young man with a captivating character and strong moral responsibility. Ben is the son of Ron Lauren, President of Honor Holdings, LLC and Investment Services for Honor Credit Union.

In remembrance of Ben, the Lauren family created the Benjamen (Ben) Lauren Memorial Foundation to keep his memory living on in the community. The foundation plans to provide educational grants for one graduating senior from Gwinn Area High School with plans of obtaining a secondary degree with a medical or engineering focus as well as an engineering student enrolled at Northern Michigan University. In addition, the foundation will provide monetary support and grants to local youth livestock and 4-H programs, local first responders, and other requested and reviewed grants to those in need.

To assist in raising money for the foundation, KC Bjorne, Honor’s Indirect Representative, has partnered with local dealerships to donate $100 for each vehicle financed through Honor Credit Union between now and June 30th at participating dealerships. Honor will match all donations up to $5000. The participating dealerships include:

• Jon’s Auto of Marquette
• Fox Negaunee GM
• Fox Negaunee Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
• Fox Marquette Ford / Subaru
• Fox Marquette Chevy
• Marthaler Cadillac of Marquette
• Reds Auto of Ironwood
• Riverside Marquette-Toyota, Honda & Nissan

Although Ben’s death was tragic and shocking to our small community, the Lauren family hopes that the Ben Lauren Memorial Foundation will bring light to his legacy and passion for helping others. “Ben was a special son, firefighter and helpful person to those in his community,” stated Ron Lauren, father of Ben, and President of Honor Holdings, LLC, and Investment Services. “He was able to touch and help so many individuals throughout his young life, and we wanted to create a foundation to continue his legacy and passion of helping others and so that his memory and spirit live on forever.”

If you would like to donate to the Ben Lauren Memorial Foundation, please call Honor Credit Union at 800.442.2800 or stop by an Honor location in Marquette, Gwinn, or Negaunee. An Honor team member will be ready to assist you in arranging a donation.

Honor Credit Union is proud to serve more than 85,000 members across the State of Michigan.  Providing solutions for your financial success and giving back to the communities we serve remain the driving forces behind Honor Credit Union.  For more information, call 800.442.2800, or visit www.honorcu.com.

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MEDIA CONTACT

Kayla Smith
Brand Specialist
kasmith@honorcu.com
800-442-2800, ext. 9205