Highlights of Hope from 2023
January 18, 2024
2023 was filled with record-breaking support numbers, inspirational stories, and Angels who made it happen every step of the way. We are so grateful for everyone who has supported our work in 2023 – from donors to volunteers to dedicated staff. Here’s a look back at some of the joy you spread through your support to military heroes and families who needed it.
Girl Scout Cookies
Thanks to Girl Scout Troops from across the country, Soldiers’ Angels had thousands of boxes of delicious cookies to share with Service Members and Veterans! We’re so grateful for this continuing partnership with Girl Scouts so that we can provide our heroes in uniform and Veteran patients with this delicious sweet treat that always brings a smile! View all of the photos from this year on Flickr here.
Post-Pandemic Pizza Party
Two long years of a pandemic kept many Veterans locked away in their homes. Despite the fading threat of COVID, many still had not visited with friends or even gone out to eat at a restaurant well into 2023. With help from Parry’s Pizzeria & Taphouse in San Antonio, we threw a huge pizza party for local Veterans! Huge thanks to the San Antonio Fire Department, along with some former NFL players like local favorite Priest Homes, for helping to make the experience extra special. Thanks, Parry’s Pizzeria and Taphouse, for hosting this incredible event for our Veterans.
Home of the Brave
Soldiers’ Angels Home of the Brave campaign works directly with the VA Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) and corporate partners to provide employees and employers the opportunity to show their gratitude for Veterans on or around Veterans Day. This year’s efforts included handing out cinch bags with swag and much-needed supplies, special events, coffee and donuts, luncheons, and even a game of Bingo with the NBA! Watch the video below to see photos from across the country. Read more about it in our Veterans Day recap.
Operation Warm Winter
Thanks to your kindness, homeless Veterans will find warmth in both body and heart, wrapped in blankets, coats, hats, and gloves from this year’s Operation: Warm Winter campaign. Previously our Blanket Drive, this year marked a significant expansion—collecting not only blankets but also essential winter gear, exclusively dedicated to homeless Veterans. Responding to urgent appeals from VA facilities in colder regions, our Angels and supporters rose admirably to meet this critical need. Your incredible support made a tangible difference. To all who contributed to this vital campaign, thank you! We look forward to providing even more support in 2024!
Making Headlines
Our team did a great job making headlines this year! We are so grateful for all of the local stations that come out to cover our events and programs. We’re also proud to have made national news, appearing on Good Morning America, Fox, and Katie Couric! Here’s a quick snapshot of some of our headlines.
Veteran Food Distributions
Each month, in seven locations across the country, Soldiers’ Angels serves alongside incredible volunteers while serving Veterans and Active Duty Military during our Military & Veteran Food Distributions. We had so many great stories from volunteers throughout 2023 – some who received the support of our distributions. Here’s a great story from our Orlando Military & Veteran Food Distribution.
In addition to volunteers, we’ve had some amazing corporate partners who have supported our Food Distributions. Here’s a fun memory from our December Military & Veteran Food Distribution with Boeing. Boeing has been an incredible corporate partner for Soldiers’ Angels. Sponsoring the Military and Veteran Food Distribution in San Antonio was just one of the many ways they stepped up to support San Antonio and the Military-connected community. Corporate partners like Boeing help Soldiers’ Angels continue our mission, and we are so grateful for their continued support!
If you work at a company of any size that is interested in supporting Service Members or Veterans, learn more about Corporate Engagement opportunities here.
Hops for Heroes
There’s nothing like a good, cold beer – especially when it supports Service Members and Veterans! This year, we had 12 craft breweries sign up to be a part of our Hops for Heroes campaign! Between 4th of July and Veterans Day, we celebrated Homefront IPA releases across the country. Thanks to all the breweries who participated in Hops for Heroes in 2023!
2023 was a great year, full of expansion, fun, and most importantly support for Veterans, Service Members, and Military families. Ready to help make an impact next year? Check out our volunteer opportunities here.