Wells Fargo Sponsors Inaugural Tournament of Roses Parade Closing Ceremony

Wells Fargo, announced today that the financial services company will sponsor the first-ever closing ceremony in the Tournament of Roses Parade. The inaugural addition to the New Year’s Day tradition will tell the inspiring story of retired Staff Sargent, and Purple Heart recipient, Dominic Perrotte III.

Sargent Perrotte served nine years in the United States Army, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. While working as a member of a recovery unit for a combat repair team in Bagdad, his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device wounding him and two other soldiers. Due to the hazardous conditions, these men needed to remain on the battle field and provide security for 30 hours until it was safe enough for them to be evacuated. Sargent Perrotte’s bravery is an inspiration and Wells Fargo, along with Military Warriors Support Foundation will honor his courage and sacrifice as he and his family are saluted during the parade’s finale.

“Military Warriors Support Foundation is thrilled to partner with Wells Fargo to tell the inspiring story of Sargent Perrotte in the Tournament of Roses Parade closing ceremony.” said Lieutenant General Leroy Sisco, founder and CEO, Military Warriors Support Foundation. “We are so thankful that there are companies like Wells Fargo that understand the importance of supporting our troops and veterans.”

Wells Fargo is deeply committed to supporting our military men and women and the company provides services and resources to help active duty members and veterans reach their financial goals. Veteran services provided by Wells Fargo include support of career transition, financial education and home ownership assistance.

“I cannot think of a better way to begin the year than by celebrating the inspiring story of Sargent Perrotte, and honoring the sacrifices made by him and his family for our country,” said Tim Sloan, Senior Executive Vice President, Wells Fargo. “Along with Military Warriors Support Foundation, we salute Sargent Perrotte and departed Grand Marshall Louis Zamperini who both bravely served our country. Wells Fargo is honored to be a part of the great tradition of The Rose Parade with the new tradition of the closing ceremony.”

In addition to the closing ceremony Wells Fargo’s iconic stagecoach equestrian units will make an appearance earlier in the parade hosting riders from Villa Esperanza Services, a Pasadena-based agency dedicated to the care and education of children, adults and seniors with developmental, intellectual and other disabilities. For the past 21 years Wells Fargo executives have served on Villa Esperanza Services’ board of directors to help bring hope to families in Southern California.

Riding in the stagecoach on New Year’s Day will be Villa Esperanza Services participants Joan Feser and her three children Michael, John and Julianna; Stacy Baskin and her daughter Simone; Margaret Morris and her sister Kathy Hess; Villa Esperanza Board Chairman Candice Rogers and Villa CEO Kelly White.

“We feel privileged to ride in the Wells Fargo stagecoach with these wonderful families who represent the more than 600 families we engage with each year,” said Villa Esperanza Service CEO Kelly White. “We are thankful to have community partners like Wells Fargo that understand Villa Esperanza Services is part of the daily solution for families in need, and one of the only nonprofits extending a full continuity of care, helping children and adults alike.”

“Everyone in our community is impressed by the passionate caring Villa Esperanza Services has delivered to families in Pasadena and across Southern California for over half a century,” said Lisa Stevens, Head of Regional Banking Sales and Marketing and Small Business, and Regional Bank Executive for the Pacific Midwest Region. “At Wells Fargo we know we can only be as strong as the strength of the communities we serve, and Wells Fargo’s consistency of support over the past 21 years for Villa Esperanza Services is directly linked to the positive impact that we have witnessed them make in thousands of lives.

Wells Fargo has been a proud sponsor of Tournament of Roses activities and events for the past nine consecutive years. Wells Fargo also sponsors Equestfest on December 29th, a family-friendly event showcasing many of the equestrian units that will participate in the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day. Beautiful horses and talented riders perform drills and dances, and demonstrate trick riding and roping. Attendees can shop in the vendor court, stroll through the stables, talk to the riders, learn about the various tack and the many different breeds. Great music as well as food and beverage concessions are on site.

Additionally, Wells Fargo issues a special limited-edition plush pony that is co-branded with the Tournament of Roses logo and only available in Southern California in time for the parade. This year’s pony is named after and created in the likeness of a real horse that pulled a Wells Fargo express wagon in Mexico City, Mexico. At 27 years old, El Toro was the oldest express horse in the city in 1913 and today he is the first Latino plush pony. The Wells Fargo agents treated the real El Toro gently; he only worked a few hours each week delivering customers’ packages from one of 750 offices Wells Fargo operated south of the border. El Toro reflects Wells Fargo’s commitment to the Latino community in Southern California and across the nation.

About Wells Fargo

In 2013 Wells Fargo was named top corporate philanthropist locally and nationally, donating $275 million to nonprofit and community organizations across the country, with $29 million donated in Los Angeles, Orange Counties and surrounding areas. Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a nationwide, diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.6 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 8,700 locations, 12,500 ATMs, and the internet (wellsfargo.com), and has offices in 36 countries to support customers who conduct business in the global economy. With approximately 265,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 29 on Fortune’s 2014 rankings of America’s largest corporations. Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy all our customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially. Wells Fargo perspectives are also available at Wells Fargo Blogs and Wells Fargo Stories.

About Military Warriors Support Foundation

The Military Warriors Support Foundation (MWSF) is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization whose mission is to provide support for our nation’s wounded heroes as they transition out of the military and into their new civilian life. Through their Homes4WoundedHeroes Program, they donate 100% mortgage-free homes to combat wounded heroes, and their families, who were injured in Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition to the home, the families will receive three years of family and financial mentoring. For more information, please visit their website at MilitaryWarriors.org.

About Villa Esperanza Services

Villa Esperanza Services is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the care and education of children, adults and seniors with developmental, intellectual and other disabilities. Villa Esperanza Services offers nine programs including a comprehensive education center for children up to the age of 22 years; a speech and language center and occupational therapy clinic providing children, adults and seniors with comprehensive therapies; employment services; day programs for adults; and adult residences in Pasadena and Thousand Oaks. Additionally, 2012 Tournament of Roses President Sally Bixby is a member of the Villa Esperanza Services Board of Directors. To learn more about Villa’s collaborative approach, log on to www.VillaEsperanzaServices.org.

About the Pasadena Tournament of Roses

The Pasadena Tournament of Roses is a volunteer organization that annually hosts The Rose Parade presented by Honda, The Rose Bowl Game® and a variety of associated events. The Tournament’s 935 volunteer members act as ambassadors of the organization within the community and serve on one of 31 committees that ensure the success of the parade and game. Collectively, they contribute upwards of 80,000 hours of manpower each year. For additional information on the Tournament of Roses please visit the official website at www.tournamentofroses.com.