Choose Marshall Welcomes Military Discount Society as a New Chamber Member
The Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance (MAEDA)/Choose Marshall held a ribbon cutting to welcome the Military Discount Society as a new chamber member. The event was held at the Stagecoach Inn, the first Marshall business to proudly display the Society’s discount logo.
(Pictured from left to right: Chamber Ambassador Carl Gibson, Heritage Commons Senior Center; Brandon Newling, Manager, Stagecoach Inn; Mark Walker, Owner, Marshall Hardware; Shannon Barba, Military Discount Society; Randy Jones, Owner, The Knife Cave; Michael Buffington, Co-founder, Military Discount Society; Tamara Krupe, Military Discount Society; Patricia Hogberg, Military Discount Society; Vaughn Frentz, Owner, True North Ice Cream; Chamber Ambassador Dora Presecan, Spartan Podiatry; Patty Williams, Business Development Manager, Choose Marshall.)
The Military Discount Society is a nonprofit organization (501©3) founded in early 2024 by veterans Michael Buffington and Veronica Barba. Its mission is two-fold: to foster greater recognition for veterans and to simplify how businesses and communities demonstrate their support.
Through its universal logo, military-friendly businesses can show commitment to veterans and active-duty personnel by offering discounts. This sends a powerful message that service and sacrifice are never forgotten.
Military Discount Society goes beyond discounts by equipping businesses with training to ensure staff respectfully engage with veterans, creating a truly welcoming environment. “By recognizing and honoring their service,” says Buffington, “we can build stronger and more united communities.” Buffington also highlights the importance of connection for veterans. “These everyday interactions can be critical,” he states, “as some veterans may feel isolated.” He cited the VA statistic that an average of 22 veterans lose their lives to suicide each day.
The Military Discount Society is actively seeking volunteers, service members and business partners to support their mission. To learn more, make a donation, or view its training video, visit militarydiscountsociety.org.
The Choose Marshall Chamber serves as a catalyst for business growth and community development in the Marshall area with a focus on promoting economic vitality, advocating for local businesses, and fostering a supportive business environment. The Chamber offers a variety of programs and services to support its members, including networking events, grant funding and educational workshops. For more information about Choose Marshall Chamber services, call 269.781.5163 or visit choosemarshall.com.