At Soldiers’ Angels, we hold Veterans in the highest regard. It’s a big deal to serve this country because it’s a huge sacrifice. Constant relocation, being away from family, rigorous training, and the potential for coming home with scars – both physically and mentally (or not coming home at all). What’s even more amazing is when Veterans who have already sacrificed so much, decide to dedicate more of their time to serving other Veterans in their communities.

Veterans who give back to the Military community are the best kind of volunteers because they understand the trials and tribulations of the job. It is so heartwarming that they want to give back. We pulled together a few examples of Veterans who we have the honor of serving side by side with to spotlight just how powerful it can be when Veterans support fellow Veterans.

May no Veteran go hungry

Our Military & Veteran Food Distributions are where you’ll find many Veteran volunteers. Each one with a story of their own and many who needed the help at one point. There’s David Avila in San Antonio, who had a difficult time transitioning to the civilian workforce and couldn’t find employment. He found Soldiers’ Angels and now loves what he does. David works every Military & Veteran Food Distribution, managing traffic flow so that everyone gets through the line efficiently. Hear his story in our Tribute to our Heroes series here.

“Soldiers’ Angels has opened a whole different type of door for me. I’ve always wanted to do things for my Veterans and their families. Soldiers’ Angels has actually given me the opportunity to do what I love to do, give back to my Veterans. I remember a time when I didn’t know where I was going to get my food from. I do get paid, but there was a point where everything was overwhelming, but Soldiers’ Angels came through, they gave me groceries, and they took care of me. That’s the thing about Soldiers’ Angels. They take care of our Veterans. That’s why it’s so important to me to be a part of this organization. As long as we can do something for our Veterans, I’m there. No matter what it is, I’m there. So thank you to Soldiers’ Angels for giving me that opportunity.” – David Avila

Nilsson Garcia in Orlando suffered from PTSD and depresssion. He was having a hard time during the pandemic, taking care of his parents and finding employment. Someone at the VA referred him to our Military & Veteran Food Distribution for food support and he was so appreciative he decided he wanted to volunteer as well. That led him to enter our Veteran Internship program and he has been a valued member of the Orlando Team, organizing events for Veterans, working the Food Distributions, and recruiting volunteers. Read his story here.

“I’ve had the privilege of meeting Service Members, Veterans, and their families who are facing their own mental and physical challenges. Their stories resonate deeply with me because I’ve walked a similar path. In 1995, I attempted suicide. That experience has shaped how openly I share my journey, knowing that many suffer in silence. I’ve always had a heart for helping others, often putting the needs of friends and family before my own, without ever expecting anything in return. I’ve always been the type of person who, even if I receive something, I feel compelled to find a way to give it back.” – Nilsson Garcia

Michael Hood is a 100% disabled Veteran who received care packages from Soldiers’ Angels while Deployed. Now he spends his days in service to others through multiple volunteer support roles. He volunteers at our Dallas Military & Veteran Food Distribution every month, unloading the truck and organizing the pallets of food to help make the process more efficient. He also volunteers two Fridays a month at the VA Hospital through Soldiers’ Angels, serving coffee and donuts to Veterans.

“I help unload the food trucks and organize the pallets so that things like bread don’t get crushed. I’m good at organizing, I help make it easy to load people up and get them out of there. I spend about 2.5 hours two Fridays a month serving coffee and donuts [in the VA]. It gives me a chance to interact with Veterans and hear their stories. It’s great to be a part of the organization on the volunteer side so I can give back to people who gave to me when I was Deployed.” – Michael Hood

Boots on the ground for Veterans in San Antonio

Soldiers’ Angels Outreach Coordinator Pat Jopling is an Airforce Veteran who works tirelessly to support Veterans in San Antonio. She does a lot of work within the VA Hospital System, and played a huge role in the garden for Veteran patients at the Polytrauma Transitional Rehab Program (PTRP). She’s also a member of the Patriot Gaurd Riders, a group that attends U.S. military and first responder funerals at the invitation of a decedent’s family. 

“It was a very big blessing to find a Veteran organization like this where I can do so much to help so many Veterans, Active Duty, Guard, Reserve, and their families. We have to continue to take care of them and their families, whether we’re in a pandemic crisis now or anytime.” – Pat Jopling

Pat has a degree in horticulture and has been all in on the garden project. She carefully selected herbs that have healing properties, vegetables she knew would do well and would be easy to grow, and landscaping that would be well-suited for the space. Read more about it here.

Brewing support for Veterans

We’ve had several Veteran-owned breweries join us over the years for our Hops for Heroes program. One in particular, Andy Reynolds, owns Alexandria Brewing in Kentucky. Andy is an Army Veteran who felt compelled to join the service and make a difference. He uses brewing as a way of dealing with PTSD and now as a way to support fellow Veterans. Hear his story here.

There’s also Kevin Mead, a multi-year Hops for Heroes supporter who co-founded 1700 Brewing in Newport News, Virginia. Kevin loves the community aspect of owning a brewery and is delighted to support other Veterans through brewing. Hear his story here.

“It was our mission from the get-go: to give back to the Veteran community. So this Hops for Heroes campaign is perfect for us. It just it makes sense in every way. We’re honored to be part of it.” – Kevin Mead

Using talents for good

Bobby McCarley, an Air Force Reserve Veteran, got together with fellow Veterans to form the Sgt. Joe Kelly Freedom Pen Foundation to use their woodworking talents for good. They hosted an Annual Turn-A-Thon in Hammond, Louisiana, with 27 wood turners to make hand-turned ink pens for Service Members stationed overseas. The volunteers, a group of experienced woodworkers, new hobbyists, and even a blind artisan, produced 294 pens this year. The initiative aims to give Service Members a meaningful way to stay connected with loved ones. Since its start, the project has far exceeded its original goal, providing around 275,000 pens to date. The pens made during this year’s Turn-A-Thon were sent to Soldiers’ Angels to send overseas. Read more here.

We love it when those we’ve supported give back. We have many stories like these and are fortunate to work wingtip to wingtip with so many amazing and inspiring Veteran volunteers who are passionate about supporting Veterans.

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