Alina Kraus GIVES BACK

"I feel very blessed that I have the opportunity to give back and help others. This wasn't always the case. Growing up, my family didn't have a lot. One Christmas, a few small presents were dropped off on our front porch. I’m not sure if we were adopted through the 'Adopt a Family for the Holidays' program or if it was the act of a kind stranger, but I remember how excited I was. It made a big impact on me as a child. I recognized then the importance of giving to others." Alina Kraus says as she tells her #iGIVEback story.

"I come from a military family. My dad was a Marine, my brother served in the Army, and my nephew is in the Army National Guard. I have always been amazed by their strength, courage and humility. My brother served two tours in Iraq and when he returned after his second tour, he struggled with PTSD. I am so proud of him and wanted to find a cause that honors the sacrifices military men and women give to their country. That's when I got involved with Salute The Troops. For the past four years, every Memorial Day Weekend I help with the Salute the Troops Dobogai Memorial 5K race. I love the event because it is a celebration of service members and their families."

In September of 2018, Alina joined the Board of Directors as Treasurer for ASTOP. The nonprofit organization is a sexual assault service provider offering treatment, outreach, prevention and advocacy, emphasizing hope and connection to self and others. She and her husband also support Wings Over Wisconsin, a nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to natural resource preservation and education through youth and community involvement. She helps with their annual banquet and raffle, as well as creating brochures for events and program awareness.