NewsStories Of Opportunity Preview: Making A Difference: The VGM Family Fund

This is a preview article for the upcoming release of the 2025 Stories Of Opportunity on Wednesday, Jan. 7.

We all face hardship at some point in our lives. Despite how well we prepare or how much caution we take, when it hits, it hits hard. In those times of need, employee owners are always there to lend a hand. The VGM Family Fund is one of those ways, funded by employee owners for employee owners.  

Each employee owner’s story is unique as are their situations and reasonings for seeking help from the Family Fund

AN UNEXPECTED DIAGNOSIS

Megan Phillips, Customer Contact Specialist at HOMELINK and employee owner since 2021, had a follow-up appointment after a stint with cancer. And while she was initially given the all-clear prior, this follow-up showed there was a mass previously unnoticed and a biopsy was needed. Even though Megan had health insurance, the cost for the biopsy was going to be $700 out of pocket, a figure that she couldn’t come up with.

While figuring out what she was going to do, it was actually her husband’s idea to reach out to the Family Fund. He knew about the program even though he didn’t even work for VGM. Megan had some initial hesitation, feeling so many others could use the funds. After discussing with her husband, she finally applied. Megan was approved within a day.

“Once I was notified that I had been approved, I cried. And I’m not that emotional of a person,” said Megan. “No one should discount what they’re going through— you’re the only one that can speak for you. Working for a company with this many people doing this much good for others…it just warms my heart.”  

A WAY HOME

In June 2025, Kaylee Micu, Customer Service Representative at Strategic Imaging and employee owner since 2024, was driving home when a deer jumped out into the road. Luckily, Kaylee had minor injuries, but her car was completely totaled. She wasn’t sure what she was going to do since it wasn’t feasible to buy a new or used car.

Kaylee knew about the Family Fund (she even contributes to it!), but there was some initial hesitation as she wasn’t usually one to ask for help. However, there came a moment when she realized that this was what the fund was for: to help employee owners when they need it.

She filled out the necessary application and was approved within 24 hours. And she received the funds within two days, which went to the down payment for her new car.

“I’m not used to being a part of a company that helps employees like this with no strings attached,” said Kaylee. “This is a phenomenal program, and this kind of help and relief is invaluable.” 

ONE LESS BURDEN

Another employee owner, who wished to remain anonymous, turned to the Family Fund when they needed one less thing off their shoulders. 

In December of 2024, their father was diagnosed with cancer. By July, the cancer had metastasized, and their father sadly passed away a few weeks later. And shortly before their father’s passing, their spouse had lost their job, leaving this employee owner as the sole breadwinner for the family. All of this in the middle of moving into a new house. 

Between mourning their father, needing to deal with the cost of funeral services, trying to balance bills on one paycheck, and moving houses, the stress was building up. But a coworker of theirs decided to submit to the Family Fund on behalf of this employee owner. 

This employee owner initially felt guilty after being approved. “I’m honestly too proud to ask for help,” they said. The funds they received went directly to bills, just so they could have one less burden on their shoulders while they were going through everything else. 

“I’m just grateful that I had friends in my corner who recognized my situation,” they said. “The Family Fund is an incredible resource. Though I was initially guilty, I came to the realization that if my coworkers were going through this same situation, I would’ve done the same that they’ve done for me.” 

You can find this story and more in the upcoming 2025 Stories Of Opportunity release on Wednesday, Jan. 7.