Featured photo by RDNE Stock Project on Pexels
FLINT – Students from the DECA Chapter at Genesee Career Institute (GCI), part of Genesee Intermediate School District (GISD), are leading a powerful community initiative to honor local veterans through the 2026 Genesee County Veteran Awareness Campaign, running May 18 through June 5, 2026.
Centered around the theme “We Are All in DEBT to a VET,” the student-led campaign will recognize and celebrate the service and continued contributions of veterans throughout Genesee County.
The initiative was recently presented at a VFW Auxiliary meeting at VFW Hammerberg Memorial Post #3720, where GCI DECA student leaders Haleigh and Harbor earned unanimous support from VFW leadership, community partners and local sponsors. The campaign will feature veteran stories captured through photography, written profiles and designed media collateral. As a capstone of the campaign, students will create three large-scale murals at the VFW post honoring local veterans.
“We are tremendously humbled and thankful for all Genesee County veterans and the community support behind our students’ unique campaign to honor them,” said Michael Crawford, GCI Marketing Instructor and DECA Advisor.
He added: “Students will begin interviewing veterans, crafting stories, designing creative materials and producing a campaign that recognizes both military service and the continued contributions veterans make in their communities.”
GCI DECA is a student organization focused on marketing, leadership and entrepreneurship, providing hands-on, real-world experiences through community driven projects like this campaign. The project is supported by community partners, including in-kind sponsor GCI Marketing Board Member Steve Wood, owner of Swood Art Studios and Mike Gomez of Behr Paint (pictured below).
The GCI DECA Chapter is currently seeking local veterans to participate and share their stories as part of this countywide awareness effort. Veterans interested in being featured are encouraged to contact Michael Crawford at 810-591-3269 or via email at mcrawford@geneseeisd.org.
