Craig Schroeder

The Go Beyond award honors the legacy of former UFG leader (and son of our company’s founder) Scotty McIntyre Jr., who engrained within our corporate culture the importance of giving back. In that spirit, UFG is honored to make a $5,000 contribution to the Fight With Flash Foundation in recognition of Craig’s above-and-beyond service to others.

One moment can change everything

Austin had been invited to sign a construction beam that was going to be part of the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, which was being built during his treatment. While he was at the hospital, Austin overheard a mother reacting to devastating news about her 4-year-old daughter. Craig recalls how, despite Austin’s own battle, his first thought was for that child. Austin wanted to fight and fix things for this young girl and so many others. This pivotal moment truly inspired Craig to start the Fight with Flash Foundation after Austin’s passing.

Since then, Craig has poured his heart and soul into the foundation. His goal is to keep supporting families affected by cancer and spreading Flash’s “Win The Day” motto to inspire resilience in others. And with each dollar raised and every family helped, Craig keeps Austin’s light burning bright.

“Some of the most impactful moments are when people reach out to share how Austin’s legacy has inspired them through personal struggles or to give back,” shares Craig. “Those moments warm our hearts and strengthen the purpose behind our work.”

Adam Nicholson-Rose, who nominated Craig for the Go Beyond Award, described his dedication in a way only those touched by Craig’s work truly understand.

“By transforming a personal tragedy into a powerful movement, Craig shows us all how innovative thinking and passion can drive social change that will last for generations,” says Adam.

A guiding light for others

Some of Craig’s most profound work happens far from the spotlight. He and his wife mentored and befriended a family whose child was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, offering guidance and love, sharing advice from their cancer journey and helping them cope with grief. Craig supported them every step of the way, just as he did with Austin. That family has since started its own cancer fundraising efforts carrying forward with an incredible “Win The Day” mindset.

One life at a time

And Craig is especially moved by a story he’s carried in his heart — the story of the starfish. A boy walks along the shore, throwing starfish back into the ocean one by one. When a man asks why, saying he can’t possibly save them all, the boy looks at the starfish in his hand, tosses it out in the ocean and replies “it made a difference to that one.”

“Everyone matters,” says Craig. “It might not seem like much, but we started with just $22,000. This year we’ll hit the $1 million mark. To me, that means we’ve saved a million starfish. And we’ll keep saving them one at a time, in Austin’s memory.”