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Opportunities for Loved Ones of the Fallen
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Additional camp opportunities for Gold Star children may be found HERE
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Vacations, camps, resorts, retreats, theme parks, events, tickets
Support for programs for surviivng spouses & children
Wishes granted
Vacations, camps, resorts, retreats, theme parks, events, tickets
Active Valor (San Diego, CA)
Active Valor is a combat veteran run non-profit organization in San Diego, CA dedicated to giving new purpose to veterans by pairing them as mentors to children of our nation’s fallen heroes, referred to as Gold Star Children.
Valor Adventures is our program that pairs veterans one-on-one as mentors to children of our nation’s fallen military heroes, referred to as Gold Star Children. Together, they participate in specially designed mission-based adventures that develop their creativity, communication skills, confidence levels, problem solving abilities, and most importantly, allows them to just be a kid for the day. Each adventure is based around different hands-on skill sets that allow our veteran mentors to truly give back to this community.
American Widow Project
The American Widow Project lists various events:
- AWP Get-Aways
- Days of Honor
- Tours
- Speaking Engagements
- Conventions
- Other Events
America's Mighty Warriors (Arizona, Florida)
As a Gold Star Mother herself, Debbie has a special connection to the families of the fallen. Through the Heroes Hope Home in Arizona and the Serenity Hope Home in Florida opportunities to attend retreats, concerts and events for the families, America's Mighty Warriors gives hope, respite, encouragement and resiliency. We reach out to the entire immediate family of the fallen: parents, siblings, spouse, and children. These families have given their very best. We owe it to them to never forget their heroes or the sacrifices made.
Through Gold Star Respite, families of the fallen are invited to stay at the Heroes Hope Home in Arizona or attend one of our retreats held throughout the year. Extended families are welcome to the Heroes Hope Home so parents and siblings can join spouses and children of the fallen for some much-deserved respite, relaxation and rejuvenation.
At retreats, families have the time to reflect and relax and have some fun with other families who share a special bond because that cannot be explained. Counseling and group sessions are available for those who wish to participate.
The Heroes Hope Home was established in 2009 to provide a positive, peaceful and enriching environment for families of the fallen. It is a place of hope, love and rejuvenation, where all those who stay understand that to forget is just not an option.
The HHH welcomes families of the fallen for a week stay. We believe that families should be free to rejuvenate, have fun, have access to therapy, or do nothing.
The way you spend your time is up to you. Just let us know your goals for your visit and we will take care of the rest!
Angels of America's Fallen
Our mission is to see the children of our fallen grow into healthy and successful adults, writing their own stories of success, by finding an activity that they are passionate about and can grow in, with a coach or a mentor. Once accepted into our program and until their 19 th birthday, we will cover the costs of each child’s activity or passion (up to an annual limit.) You select the activity and activity provider, and Angels of America’s Fallen steps in to cover the cost, up to that dollar limit.
We support children in activities like: Aquatic Sports, Dance, Gymnastics, Musical Arts, Football, Lacrosse, Martial Arts, Camp and more.
A Soldier's Child Foundation - Camps
For 12 years, A Soldier’s Child (ASC) Foundation has provided life-changing experiences for our ASC recipient children. ASC has accomplished this by creating a safe place for our kids to be themselves and interact with other children who have endured the loss of a military parent.
ASC strives to instill values like responsibility, integrity, empathy, and leadership to our ASC recipient children who attend our camps from year to year. These ASC camps are a platform for recipient children to build lifelong friendships with other ASC kids. ASC strives to Love the child, Honor their fallen, and give them a Hope to live out a courageous life.
Camps include:
- Journey Camp
- Hunting & Fishing Camps
- Songwriting Camp
- Arts Camp
- Sports Camp
- Horse Camp
- PS23 Leadership Camp
Band of Runners Trail Camp - (November)
The mission of Band of Runners Trail Camp is to empower veterans and their surviving family members by sharing the community of trail running and the physical and psychological benefits running in nature provides.
Black Dagger Military Hunt Club (Florida)
Black Dagger Military Hunt Club Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides shooting, hunting, fishing, and other outdoor opportunities for veterans and active duty military (wounded and well). We are located in the greater Tampa Bay Florida area but operate around the state. Each year we come together as a community and honor Florida Gold Star fathers, their families, and remember their fallen heroes.
*Boulder Crest Retreat (Bluemont, VA)
We deliver free, short-duration, high-impact combat-related stress recovery retreats for combat veterans (male and female), couples, families, caregivers and Gold Star families, known as PATHH (Progressive and Alternative Training for Healing Heroes).
Camp Corral
The mission of Camp Corral is to transform the lives of children of wounded, injured, ill, and fallen military heroes by providing a unique summer camp experience.
Camp Erin
Camp Erin is the largest national bereavement program for youth grieving the death of a significant person in their lives.
Children and teens ages 6-17 attend a transformational weekend camp that combines traditional, fun camp activities with grief education and emotional support, free of charge for all families. Led by grief professionals and trained volunteers, Camp Erin provides a unique opportunity for youth to increase levels of hope, enhance self-esteem, and especially to learn that they are not alone.
Camp Erin is offered in every Major League Baseball city as well as additional locations across the U.S. and Canada. Eluna partners with hospices and bereavement organizations to bring hope and healing to thousands of grieving children and teens each year.
Camp Hometown Heroes (Grafton, WI)
Camp Hometown Heroes is a national free week-long overnight summer camp for children and siblings between the ages of seven to seventeen of fallen U.S. service members who died in any manner: combat, accident, illness or suicide.
Camp Twin Lakes (Winder, GA)
Camp Twin Lakes’ Family Warrior Weekend (FWW) is a weekend retreat for active and retired service members and their immediate family members of all ages. *Priority is given to veterans and their families who’ve experienced combat, trauma and may have a diagnosis of Traumatic Brain Injury, Post Traumatic Stress, MST (military sexual trauma), and ALL women veterans. These camps are held at Camp Twin Lakes Will-A-Way inside Fort Yargo State Park in Winder, GA.
Our goal is to assist and educate participants and to support them physically, mentally, and emotionally. These camps offer service members, veterans and their families a fully accessible camp experience and new skills to take home once they leave camp. As a family, our campers can reconnect and rebuild their foundation in a relaxing and supportive environment.
Participants enjoy camp programming as a family with recreational activities like archery, boating, swimming, climbing wall and other challenge activities, and so much more. We also offer workshops and various skill-based programs as well as information about outside resources to utilize once participants leave camp.
Captain Joseph House Foundation (Port Angeles, WA)
Captain Joseph House will provide a respite for Gold Star families on their journey from grieving victim to empowered survivor; from familiar military community to civilian life. The House will provide a safe and peaceful environment where new friendships can take root and Families can draw strength from each other. It will allow Family members to connect on a more personal level with others on a similar journey in a home-away-from home setting.
Champion Kids Camp (Houston, TX)
Champions Kids Camp is dedicated to the nurturing of children who have survived a traumatic injury, illness, or personal loss, such as the loss of a parent or sibling. Through a week-long camp consisting of music, art, sports, recreation and special guests, children are nurtured physically, mentally and emotionally.
Children of Fallen Heroes (Holden Beach, NC)
Children of Fallen Heroes is proud to extend our STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, math) programs to children of fallen first responders, military, foster kids, and caregivers including community outreach programs across the nation. We believe in the power of education and the transformative impact it can have on the lives of these resilient young individuals.
Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund - Casting Freedom (Temple Hills, MD)
The Casting Freedom program aims to send combat wounded veterans, veterans, and Gold Star Family members enough fishing equipment to get out on the water. We help by providing the therapeutic benefits of the outdoors.
Once a month a combat wounded veteran or Gold Star family member will receive a generous gift allowing them to experience the outdoors. Our goal is to provide this gift once a month to those who apply for the program. We also plan to send them on fishing trips with our team members and pro anglers.
Children of Soldiers Relief Fund - Patriot House (Washington, DC metro area)
In 2010 we opened the Patriot House for our US military veterans and their families in the surrounding D.C. Metropolitan area, including West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio and other areas across the United States. The Patriot House is in River Bend Park that is a secured RV Resort Community opened seven months of the year beginning April 1st and closing November 1st each year. The park is located on the Potomac River and has a swimming pool, camp store, lounge, basketball court, putt-putt golf, boating, and fishing. It is provided free of charge to single service members in pairs or small groups as well as families. Realizing the importance of quality time that many of our veterans are not able to have with their families during medical treatment at local VA hospitals, we offer them a place to stay and enjoy quality time with their families outside the medical facilities. Our families can bring their children and enjoy the beauty that surrounds the eastern panhandle for a long weekend or getaway or longer.
Chris Krossing Ranch (Seguin, TX)
Chris Krossing Ranch is anon-profit organization that rely solely on the generosity of our supporters to host horseback riding workshops for Wounded Warriors, and families that have lost loved ones that were serving in the Unites States military, and family members of fallen first responders . We have horses of varying personalities to accommodate for experience levels of the riders and to ensure we can provide a good match.
Collier House (Clark, WY)
Sandra Barcus, the mother of Collier Barcus, had a dream to provide a safe, comfortable home where surviving families of military members who were killed in active duty defending their great country can heal from the trauma, stress and grief in their lives. In order to make Collier’s dream to “make a difference” a reality, Sandy and her family set out to create a cabin where families could come together to rest, reflect and remember their loved ones.
Comfort Zone Camp
Comfort Zone Camp is a nonprofit bereavement organization that transforms the lives of children who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, or primary caregiver. Our programs are free of charge and include confidence building activities and age-based support groups that break the emotional isolation grief often brings. Comfort Zone's programs are offered to children ages 5-25, and their families for the family programs. Held year-round across the country, our primary locations are California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Virginia (HQ). We also partner with organizations to serve their local or specific communities through our Partnership and Community by Design Programs.
Echo Hill Ranch (Kerrville, TX)
At Echo Hill Ranch we seek to foster a community and connection among children and families who have had similar life experiences and are taking similar life journeys. Echo Hill Ranch is a camp 18 miles southwest of Kerrville, TX.
Our mission is to provide a safe, fun, relaxing, and empowering professional summer camp experience for the children of Gold Star families, immediate family members of a fallen service member who died while serving in a time of conflict, or those of first responders.
Edelweiss Lodge and Resort Survivor Package (Germany)
The Edelweiss Lodge and Resort is proud to offer programs and discounts honoring Survivors from all services. Our Fallen Warriors have paid the ultimate sacrifice and their families deserve our respect, gratitude and the very best we can provide. The Armed Forces Recreation Centers Survivors' Family Program provides a 50% discount from the normal room rates and extends to family members and sponsored guests accompanying authorized users.
English River Outfitters (Washington, IA, adjacent Sockum Ridge)
English River Outfitters is part of the healing process for veterans. Our priority is to help foster a healthy readjustment back to civilian life through a positive outdoor experience.
Veterans and families served at English River Outfitters experience a variety of therapeutic, group-based activities designed to re-establish confidence, hope, and health. In addition to our weekend retreats for veterans, we also hold special programs to serve children from Gold Star families, as well as ladies-only veteran camp-out events.
What Makes English River Outfitters different? We believe there is healing in nature, and therefore we emphasize an outdoor experience where veterans can fish, hunt, and hike in the woodlands surrounding our facilities. Veterans with physical disabilities are able to participate fully using our all-terrain wheelchairs. The veterans we serve participate in sporting activities that challenge and empower them, all while immersed in Iowa's natural, refreshing wilderness.
Fallen Heroes Family Camp (Springfield, TN)
Fallen Heroes Family Camp is a special place where the families of fallen heroes can come together, find joy and respite, solace and support, while enjoying common interests. Through the use of horses and outdoor activities, Fallen Heroes Family Camp strives to help military families shed their feelings of loss and put them on a road to healing. Here, they can take steps to gain focus on life again.
FAVE Boating Expeditions (Ruskin, FL)
Our boating trips offer a variety of boating excursions for our veterans, military service members and Gold Star families whose life has been touched and forever changed by the death of a Fallen Warrior. Our goal is to honor, support and promote healing of the mind and spirit in a relaxed environment.
Freedom Hunters - Hunting and fishing
Gold Star families know the full price of freedom and hold a special place in our hearts. Through retreats and individual opportunities, our goal is to make sure those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice are never forgotten.
Gold Star Family Weekend, Inc. (Little Falls, MN)
In recognition of our military fallen heroes from all wars and their families, the Gold Star Family Weekend, Inc. is honored to invite families of our Military fallen heroes to a weekend of camaraderie, fun, and sharing.
We invite families of military fallen from all wars (Iraq, Afghanistan, Desert Storm, Vietnam, Korea, WWII and the conflicts in-between) to be our guests for an amazing weekend planned exclusively for you and your family at Camp Ripley near Little Falls, Minnesota.
Camp Ripley is a 53,000 acre regional training facility for our military, federal, state, local and civilian communities. Camp Ripley relies on its expertise in environmental stewardship to maintain its training resources. The staff at Camp Ripley have opened their gates to our families for this special weekend.
Gold Star Parents Retreat (Texas)
A retreat created especially for Gold Star parents by Gold Star parents. The mission of the Gold Star Parents Retreat is to create a place where Texas Gold Star parents can gather and share their stories, laughter, and tears with each other with no judgment.
Gold Star Peak (Eagle River, AK)
Gold Star Peak, Inc. is a team of Gold Star families, veterans, service members and their families, that have all seen the devastation that combat has brought from the battlefields to our homes and communities. The organization was formed in direct response to the growing number of individuals and families that continue to struggle from the effects associated with years of continued combat service.
We are an Alaska based non-profit organization that connects veterans and Gold Star family members together in nature, assisting with their overall healing and grieving process. We work independently or through fiscal partnerships with local and national organizations with similar visions.
Our goal is to offer a setting in the outdoors bringing healing to all as well as empowering each to become thriving members within their families and communities.
Gold Star Gamers
Gold Star Gamers' mission is to help kids that have suffered the loss of a military parent find hope and healing through competitive gaming. When a child loses a parent, their whole world changes. They experience a huge drop in self-esteem, are at-risk for PTSD and suicidal thoughts. The kids tend to worry about their surviving parent and experience separation anxiety. School grades go down, friends are lost, and the future becomes unknown. Through Gold Star Gamers programs, we reach these kids on their level and their terms. Gaming is a culture that is not only important to the young, but also to the military community. Often during deployments or times of separation service members will game with their kids back home. Our programs are aimed at helping these kids find joy again, connect with other kids in similar situations, rebuild natural self-esteem, know that the military community has not forgotten about them, and finally to let them live out their dream of playing in a pro tournament.
Gold Star Sailing
Gold Star Sailing (GSS) is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization dedicated to providing unique opportunities and adventures to the surviving children of fallen military service members in order to instill self-confidence, build character, teach teamwork, develop leadership, and promote healing in a positive environment of hope, adventure and friendship.
Gold Star Teen Adventures (Fayetteville, NC)
Gold Star Teen Adventures provides unique year round outdoor adventure programs for the surviving youth of those who have lost their lives in the line of duty. The purpose of the program is to provide healing, mentorship, leadership development, and unique and challenging adventure opportunities. The program serves youth of all branches of military service, law enforcement and other designated first responders, and designated government agencies.
Gold Star Youth Outdoors (Fort Moore, GA)
Veterans providing outdoor opportunities to Gold Star children of fallen service members.
Good Grief Camps (TAPS and USO)
TAPS Good Grief Camp for children and teens provides a safe and supportive atmosphere to conduct activities and opportunities to learn coping skills, establish and identify support systems and create awareness that they are not alone in the grief of their loved one. Children and teens meet others of their own age group to share and learn, together.
Got Your Back Network
Widows and children are given the opportunity free of costs to experience events that they would probably never have had the ability to do.
Helping Hands for Freedom (Phoenix, AZ)
The Life Enrichment Program provides the opportunity for parents and children to form friendships with others in the military or survivor community. These events provide an opportunity for camaraderie and build relationships between families and children of the fallen, wounded and deployed.
Our Gold Star, Wounded Warrior and Veteran families enjoy trips and attendance at the following:
- Wildlife Zoo
- Movie theatre nights
- Water and theme parks
- Sporting Events both professional and college
- Participation in Shop with a Cop holiday events
- Holiday Angel Party
- Zoo Lights Holiday Event
- Monthly luncheons and meet ups for Gold Star spouses and parents (Lost a spouse or child to the conflict)
Holbrook Farms Retreat - Survivors of Heroes Retreats (Detroit Lakes, MN)
Survivors of Heroes Retreats are hosted at Holbrook Farms in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Holbrook Farms Retreat, Inc. is a nonprofit charity dedicated to providing all-expense paid wellness getaways for military widows and families who have lost their loved ones in military service. The experience provides survivors an opportunity to get away and spend time with those who have gone through similar tragedies, helping them through their healing process.
Hope for Warriors Outdoor Adventure Program
Hope For The Warriors® Outdoor Adventures Program provides adaptive opportunities for wounded heroes to participate in sporting activities in the great outdoors. Service members, who previously embraced an outdoorsman lifestyle, as well as those new to wilderness sports, are introduced to recreational opportunities on the road to recovery.
Hope For The Warriors® created the Outdoor Adventures Program in 2010 to provide adaptive opportunities for wounded heroes to participate in sporting activities in the great outdoors. In 2012, the organization recognized the therapeutic benefits for the family members and expanded the program to include spouses and children of wounded and fallen service members.
House in the Woods, Inc (Lee, Maine)
A free, outdoor self-help program which remains flexible to the needs of those whom we serve. The only expense to participants is their transportation to Lee, Maine. Using the recreational, therapeutic, and educational properties of Maine’s great wilderness and outdoor heritage, we form short-term retreats for participants to meet others with common military-related challenges and experiences. Activities are led by licensed Maine guides and staffed with caring volunteers and assistance from the local VA Center and health professionals from the community upon request. Maine is a four season climate, so activities will be dependent on weather and availability.
Hunt forVets
A primary goal of SFMF is to help veteran families develop and hone their coping skills. Coping skills are essential when dealing with stress, and improving quality of life.
Another goal of SFMF is to improve communication among veterans and their family members. Quality communication lowers stress. SFMF provides experiences for veteran families than improve short- and long-term communication.
Hunt 4 Life Foundation - LifeCamp USA (Wisconsin, Colorado, South Dakota, Alaska, Montana, Minnesota)
LifeCamp USA guides young men who are left in the aftermath of losing a father to United States military or law enforcement service on a path toward Biblical fortitude, personal resilience, and restorative healing.
Iowa Remembers Annual Retreat (Iowa)
Iowa Remembers is a non-profit charity run solely by volunteers. Founded in 2010 our primary objective is remembering and honoring Iowa’s military casualties of war from Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn. Iowa Remembers is located in Grimes, Iowa.
Iowa Remembers sponsors and funds the Annual Retreat for Iowa Families of Fallen Service Members which is hosted and organized by Iowa Survivor Outreach Services.
Iron Springs Christian Ranch (Stewartville, MN)
The Families of the Fallen Retreats at Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch are offered to the family of service members who died while serving on active duty in the National Guard or Reserves at the time of their death. Every loss and all causes of death are represented, and the Family is supported in their journey with three days of peer community and the loving care of the Ironwood Staff. Experience the retreat setting of the Miracle Lodge, the beauty of the outdoors, being with others who 'get it' and a gentle agenda that will restore your spirit.
Kids of our Heroes - Adventure Camp (Aurora, MO)
The mission of Kids of our Heroes Adventure Camp is to help children (ages 11-17) of our heroes to develop the coping skills of courage, confidence, and resiliency to overcome the fears and challenges of living with and rising above the injury or loss of a parent or family member who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation.
Knights of Heroes
Knights of Heroes hosts families with common losses allowing them to share experiences and build relationships while increasing public awareness and ensuring that families with losses are not forgotten with the passage of time. KOH empowers children who have lost their fathers in service to our nation by providing positive adult mentorship, character development, and lasting friendships, forged during an annual wilderness adventure camp.
Leap of Faith (Operation Support Our Troops - America)
Leap of Faith is a three day seminar and healing experience based on the idea that those families of fallen service members could live life fully and in a way that honors the life of their service member, despite there terrible loss.
LifeCampUSA
LifeCampUSA brings support, inner strength and purposeful direction to the lives of young men who have lost a father due to US military or law enforcement service. LifeCampUSA guides young men who are left in the aftermath of losing a father to United States military or law enforcement service on a path toward Biblical fortitude, personal resilience, and restorative healing.
Michigan Challenge (Northport, MI)
Our mission is to provide traditional sail training as developed by Tall Ships America. Our focus clientele is Gold Star Teens (children of fallen military heroes), veterans and their families, and grieving youth. The experience will include team building, leadership, and character building in a fun, healing environment. Sailors will also have the opportunity to develop enduring friendships with those who have faced similar hardships.
Military Warriors Support Foundation (San Antonio, TX)
We provide recreational outings and peer-to-peer mentorship to veterans wounded in direct combat with an enemy force & unmarried Gold Star spouses whose loved one was killed-in-action with hunting, fishing and golfing adventures.
Mount Olivet Rolling Acres (Victoria, MN)
In an effort to thank wounded service men and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan for their service to our country, Mount Olivet Rolling Acres began offering no cost vacations for wounded veterans and their families at our McGregor Cabins in 2008. Our resort property, used primarily by our consumers with disabilities, provides accessible facilities in a scenic, peaceful setting where these deserving service members can relax, recreate, recover, and reconnect with family. Gold Star families are also welcomed during these designated vacation periods when the entire property is reserved for military families.
My Warrior's Place (Ruskin, FL)
My Warriors Place is a retreat center for veterans, military service members, first responders, Gold Star, Blue Star and Silver Star families. Additionally, My Warrior’s Place offers several amazing programs for those who have put their life on the line for our safety and well being, endured the death of a Fallen Warrior and/or experienced the horrors of war. Each program offered by My Warrior’s Place plays an important role in the healing and coping process, and the support that is obtained through these programs is priceless!
National Parks free entrance
Gold Star Families and US military veterans are eligible to receive free lifetime access to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including national parks, wildlife refuges, and forests. The free Military Pass is a way to thank America’s veterans, Gold Star Families, and current military and their dependents for their support of our country and to encourage them to explore recreational opportunities on their public lands and waters.
Never Alone - Widows of Heroes
The Never Alone Widows of Heroes retreats are designed specifically to restore and recreate the community these unique widows have experienced through death, service and sacrifice.
We have created a curated gathering of healing and comfort for these widows who have been ravaged by the pain of the untimely death of a military or first responder spouse.
Nux4Life
The namesake for our organization, Claudio Patiño IV is in honor of a United States Marine Corps Scout Sniper who was killed in action in Afghanistan on June 22, 2010. Corporal Patiño was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor (posthumously), the Purple Heart Medal and also awarded a Navy Achievement Medal with Valor during an earlier combat deployment. His family, teammates and fellow Scout Snipers have joined forces to ensure that his sacrifice is not forgotten, and have launched this effort in his name.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES - Nux4Life has partnered up with various outdoor guides and outfitters to be able to provide top-notch hunting, fishing, and outdoor adventures for our Veterans. These outdoor adventures allow us to take our Scout Snipers away from any distractions and place them in an environment where they can share their experiences with others who have shared their hardships.
SHOOTING SPORTS - Contrary to popular belief, the Marine Scout Sniper is dedicated to supporting his fellow Marines and not the other way around. We have set our focus this year on providing much needed support to those who have given to our country and sacrificed for their brothers. Among financial support to our partner foundations and organizations, Nux4Life is expanding to provide shooting sports activities.
GOLD STAR FATHERS OUTINGS - We have created a program dedicated to Gold Star Fathers. We have seen that many times, the fathers of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice are overlooked and it is assumed that because they are the men in the family, they are able to grip the loss of their children better than anyone else.
Operation Camp
Operation Camp is a program of Friends Never Forget, a non-profit organization. Through donations and fundraising we sponsor the children of fallen service members to summer camps throughout the United States, Any camp–anywhere–to include cost of camp, travel, lodging and meals. This requires no out of pocket expense for the parents or guardians of these children.
Operation: Care and Comfort Tickets for Troops (San Francisco Bay area and Northern California)
Working with sports teams, event venues and season ticket holders, OCC has distributed tens of thousands donated tickets to military families and veterans in the San Francisco Bay area and Northern California, free of charge.
Since 2004, Operation: Care and Comfort has worked with professional and college sports teams, entertainment venues, and promoters to send thousands of troops, reservists, veterans and their immediate families to events—free! OCC also partners with northern California sports teams to hold military appreciation/Support Our Troops games. We charge no services charges, no mailing costs—the tickets are absolutely FREE!
If you are military active duty, reservist, veteran, military retiree or a Gold Star Family located in California, you may sign up to be included on our list for complimentary tickets to local sporting and entertainment events. Donated tickets are often last minute or on game day, so please give us the best phone numbers to reach you! We currently announce new tickets on our Facebook page- OCC.USA. Check daily then follow the instructions posted to request tickets.
Operation One Voice
Warrior Weekend - Provides a weekend retreat at a southeastern resort hosting 35 to 45 fallen and wounded Special Operations Forces families. The board of directors and several project leaders host the event in which all SOF families are treated to a weekend of relaxation and the SOF wives receive a spa package.
Operation 300
Operation 300 is a not for profit organization that hosts adventure camps for children who have lost their fathers as a result of military service.
The camps provide an opportunity to participate in activities that embody the spirit of adventure that characterized the lives of their absent fathers while fostering a culture of courage, strength, freedom, endurance, honor and godly morality embodied by fearless patriots throughout the history of our American Republic.
Operation Welcome Home at Miracle Lodge Retreat and Conference Center
(Stewartville, MN)
The Families of the Fallen Retreats at Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch are offered to the Family of Service Members who died while serving on active duty in the National Guard or Reserves at the time of their death. Every loss and all causes of death are represented, and the Family is supported in their journey with three days of peer community and the loving care of the Ironwood Staff. Experience the retreat setting of the Miracle Lodge, the beauty of the outdoors, being with others who 'get it' and a gentle agenda that will restore your spirit.
Patriot Cruise and Salute
Patriot Cruise and Salute is a non-profit charitable organization formed to organize free recreational boating events to benefit US Armed Forces, Gold Star Families, and Law Enforcement.
Send a Kid to Camp (Island Lake and Miracle Ranch, Washington)
Started in 2011 as a summer camp for children of military families, Operation Xtreme camps have grown to include multiple weeks and weekends that give military kids the opportunity to experience fun-filled camps. Since then, we've welcomed over 1,500 children from military families, and our goal is to continually serve more families with special camps and events. Gold Star families may register at no cost.
Seven Stars Foundation
The mission of Seven Stars Foundation, Inc. is to make a positive impact on the children of military members which include the fallen, wounded, active, deployed, and reservists. We accomplish this mission by sponsoring the children to YMCA camps across the country for a week where they can establish lasting bonds with new friends. We also provide relief to military members through financial, emotional, and educational assistance.
S.K.I.F.F. (Texas - Fort Hood, Killeen, Copperas Cove, Harker Heights, Belton, Salado, and Temple)
S.K.I.F.F. stands for Soldiers' Kids Involved in Fishing Fun. S.K.I.F.F. fishing trips for kids are absolutely free of charge to the children of soldiers deployed in harm's way, and to the children of soldiers who died while on active duty.
S.K.I.F.F. trips are paid for by donations from the membership of the Austin Fly Fishers and by funds they raise for this worthy cause. Austin Fly Fishers is a fly fishing club based in Austin, Texas. Your children do not have to be referred or recommended by another individual to participate. All it takes is a phone call from a parent to get the ball rolling.
Snowball Express
Gary Sinise Foundation Snowball Express serves the children and surviving spouse of fallen military heroes. We are committed to programming and support that holds space to honor their fallen heroes while also helping create new memories as they move forward. Programs include:
- WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT - We host a five-day experience for 1,750+ children of the fallen and their surviving parent or guardian each December.
- YEAR ROUND SUPPORT - We host community events for these families all year long - from baseball games to arts & educational opportunities, to overnight experiences these families can strengthen their community close to where they live.
- EMPOWERMENT WORKSHOPS - For three days, surviving spouses and young adults come together to look more closely at their lives after loss and dream again.
Special Liberty Project
The Special Liberty Project fosters and maintains a supportive community focused on nurturing our nation’s Gold Star families and healing veterans by connecting with nature. We provide outdoor, educational experiences, spark true camaraderie and encourage strength, both emotionally and physically.
The Special Liberty Project provides outdoor adventures to healing veterans and Gold Star families. Family survivors of active-duty and veteran suicides also are welcomed and embraced at all of our events and programs just like all traditional Gold Star Families. These adventures include a wide variety of activities ranging from hunting and fishing to hiking and camping.
The Special Liberty Project focuses on stress free educational opportunities that not only tailors to enriching the lives of those served but provides much needed relaxation as well.
Through these outdoor adventures, the Special Liberty Project is able to create opportunities for participants to work through common struggles together, within their community, through an environment which fosters camaraderie and understanding.
Special Ops Survivors
Our ANNUAL SURVIVORS RETREATS are designed to foster peer-based connections and support while providing workshops that assist survivors as they move forward in the grieving process. The retreats feature workshops, a keynote and closing session as well as opportunities for peer-support activities and give-back opportunities for survivors to feel empowered through volunteerism. Most important, retreats offer an opportunity for survivors to meet others going through a similar grief journey as their own. Through retreat attendance, survivors learn through the grief process, heal, feel empowered, and access a community of support. Participants leave with new tools and coping skills that impact tremendous positive change in their lives.
FORGET-ME-NOT OUTREACHES - Special Ops Survivors recognizes that after the memorials are over, even the most well-intentioned family, friends, and neighbors go back to their everyday lives – sometimes leaving survivors feeling forgotten and alone. Our mission is to let surviving spouses know they are not alone. We do this by sending personal outreaches to our survivors throughout the year to let them know that they remain in our thoughts and hearts. Other outreach activities take place throughout the year based on our survivors’ needs – whether it be celebrating a birthday, remembering the anniversary of a spouse’s death, letting someone know we are thinking about them when they are ill, or welcoming the birth of a baby.
Sportsmen's Foundation for Military Families
The Sportsmen’s Foundation for Military Families (SFMF), a charitable organization, is established to provide combat veterans a chance to participate in the hunting sports. Any combat veteran of the United States Armed Forces, or an immediate family member of a veteran killed in combat, is eligible to apply. Our hunts have proven to be extremely therapeutic to those in need. However, participation is not limited to those who have been wounded in battle or are suffering, any combat veteran may apply. All hunts are professionally guided. It is our way of saying thank you for your service.
Spring Reins of Life (Clinton, NJ)
Spring Reins of Life's military programs are divided into two sections – Operation Horse and Coming HOME. All services within SROL are funded and free of charge to military service members and their families.
http://www.springreinsoflife.org/srol-programs/childrens-bereavement-program/ - We also offer services on children’s bereavement for those who have lost a parent due to the war.
TAPS Programs (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors)
TAPS provides a variety of programs to survivors nation and worldwide. Our National Military Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp has been held annually in Washington, D.C., over Memorial Day weekend since 1994. TAPS also conducts regional survivor seminars for adults and youth programs at locations across the country, as well as retreats and expeditions around the world. Stars4TAPS and teams4taps connect surviving military families with professional sports programs and the entertainment industry to bring hope and healing while honoring their fallen heroes.
The Brendan Looney Foundation
The Brendan Looney Foundation supports military families through scholarships - both High School Senior scholarships and Kids to Camp scholarships. The Kids to Camp scholarships are for deployed, wounded warriors and Gold Star families. The Senior Scholarships include active military.
The Precious Legacy
The Precious Legacy (TPL) is a nonprofit dedicated to serve Adult Surviving Children of American Service Members, ages 19-24. TPL hosts a destination weekend retreat for those who are often overlooked and ‘aged-out.’ TPL retreats are small in numbers and will remain small in an effort to foster personal connections with peers who ‘get it.’
The Precious Legacy (TPL) honors and recognizes the sacrifices American Service Members made while serving our nation. All Surviving Adult Children of the US Military qualify! TPL does not practice bereavement hierarchy; every child grieves and every child is deserving of support-regardless of Military branch, manner or location of loss or biological relationship to their fallen Service Member.
The Precious Legacy(TLP) invites you to join our family to encourage, support and cherish the living legacies of our fallen Service Members.
The Sportsman's Foundation for Military Vets - Hunt for Vets (Lorida, FL)
SFMF’s mission is to provide a healing environment through participation in the outdoor sports for military veteran families. ELIGIBILITY - Honorably discharged, or active-duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces, Reserves, or National Guard, or an immediate family member of a military veteran killed in combat, are eligible to apply.
The Unquiet Professional (Wakefield, RI)
The Unquiet Professional is a registered nonprofit committed to recognizing and honoring our nation’s Gold Star and Surviving families, veterans, and military families by providing rewarding and purposeful opportunities to heal from the wounds of war.
Youth Events -- Through sponsorship and partnership, The Unquiet Professional supports engaging, outdoor activities for Gold Star and Surviving Youth. Opportunities like the Gold Star Sailing Program and our Fly Fishing program hosted by Washington Fly Fishing Club. These programs seek to empower and celebrate the children of our nation’s brave men and women.
The Veterans Afield Foundation (Bridgewater, ME)
The Veterans Afield Foundation is a faith-based, program for veterans, first responders and gold star youth.
Universally, there is a peace and connection with our Ceator when we actively participate in the outdoors. These activities bring us inherently closer to God on our own level, and walls built by tragedy and the pressures of everyday life begin to melt away.
Anyone who has experienced great tribulation is permanently altered at their most basic level. The physical scars and impediments often heal quicker than those of our emotional and mental being. In short we become slaves to our “condition”.
It is our mission to provide an avenue for renewal through hunting, fishing and other outdoor actives. Through the fellowship of group outings, the doors to healing are opened and a network of support is built.
Our goal is to provide an avenue for a new and abundant life.
The War Horse
The War Horse Writing Seminars are week-long, intimate workshops that bring together world-class journalists, authors, agents, and publishers who work with The War Horse team to nurture the next generation of military writers.
Writing Seminar for Post-9/11 Gold Star children and siblings at Lucky Spur Ranch, Justin, Texas from May 8-12, 2023.
Travis Manion Foundation (Nationwide)
Travis Manion Foundation Service Expeditions provide unique character and leadership development opportunities for families of the fallen. We provide participants the opportunity for a 5-7 day Expedition to a community in need where they create long-lasting impact, carry on their loved one’s legacy of service, and build their own path forward.
Families of the fallen work through our positive psychology and strengths-based curriculum in addition to completing local community service projects to honor the fallen. Expedition participants leave this life-changing opportunity inspired and equipped to lead in their communities, embodying the “If Not Me, Then Who…” ethos.
Tuesday's Children
Tuesday’s Children's family engagement programs help you build relationships with other families impacted by terrorism, military conflict or mass violence and create healthy pathways moving forward. Contact Tuesday’s Children today to learn about upcoming family programs in your area.
Heart to Heart and Gold Star Mom Retreats - Heart to Heart and Gold Star Mom Retreats bring together spouses or parents who have lost a loved one to military service to grow, heal and make lifelong friendships. These communities honor their losses and work together to heal. These retreats help you to navigate challenges, discover resources for healing, make connections, and recreate your lives with a sense of hope.
Project Common Bond brings together people aged 15-21* from all over the world in a supportive environment to engage with one another in activities and conversations that empower them to be a generation of compassionate, global leaders. At Project Common Bond, you will:
- Participate in global leadership activities
- Learn about peacebuilding and conflict resolution
- Work through collaborative and therapeutic arts: music, drama, movement, and sports
Be sure to register with Tuesday’s Children to learn more about the various programs, events and opportunities available to you and your family.
Ultimate Veteran Adventures (Mansfield, OH)
Ultimate Veteran Adventures provides hunting, fishing, and outdoor adventures to veterans, active duty and Gold Star families.
Vet Tix
Vet Tix provides tickets to events which reduce stress, strengthen family bonds, build life-long memories and encourage service members and veterans to stay engaged with local communities and American life. We support our troops by honoring their service and providing positive family and life experiences, during and after their years of service to our country.
Vet Tix provides tickets to all branches of currently-serving military and veterans, including immediate family of troops KIA. Vet Tix secures tickets to sporting events, concerts, performing arts, educational and family activities across the nation.
Warrior Rizen Foundation (Morgan, UT)
We are a 501 (c)(3) 6,500 acre dude ranch in Morgan, UT for military and survivor families. We invite veterans and their families to escape their day-to-day and come to the ranch to experience a week-long vacation where we work hard and play hard. Here you will learn to raise animals and grow your own food, push cattle and play cowboy for a week.
*Wounded Warriors Family Support
Our mission is to provide support to the families of those who have been wounded, injured or killed during combat operations. The families of our casualties suffer in many ways: some financially, some psychologically.
Wounded Warriors Family Support owns five fully furnished condominium units for use by the families of our wounded or injured veterans and widows and families of our fallen heroes. Preference goes to those with children and the greatest financial need.
Four of our units are in the beautiful Bahama Bay Resort, minutes from Universal Orlando, Wet 'n Wild Orlando, and Sea World in Orlando, Florida. Passes are provided to families free of charge. Other opportunities include: The Victorian Resort, Take Flight Farms, Shenandoah, Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon.
Support for programs for surviving spouses and children
Support for programs for surviving spouses and children - Sugar Bear Foundation
The Sugar Bear Foundation seeks to honor and remember the legacy of Mario "Sugar Bear" Carazo by supporting surviving spouses and children. The Sugar Bear Foundation is a non-profit that raises funds for existing programs that support surviving spouses and their children.
Wishes granted
Wishes granted
LINK - A listing of organizations that desire to help make dreams come true for the military community.
Hope for the Warriors
A Warrior’s Wish® supports the long-term goal of hope beyond recovery through financial grants awarded to severely injured service members, veterans, their families and families of the fallen. Whether it is adaptive equipment, tools for a hobby or business, or family bonding experiences, A Warrior’s Wish collaborates with the community to make Wishes come true for our warriors and their families.
For more than a decade, Hope For The Warriors has been dedicated to restoring a sense of self, family and hope for veterans, service members and military families through a variety of programs including its first one, A Warrior’s Wish. A Warrior’s Wish honors the goals and desires of severely wounded service members, veterans, and their families. Wishes fulfill a desire for a better quality of life or support a quest for life-gratifying endeavors for post-9/11 service members, their families, and families of the fallen who have sustained physical and psychological wounds in the line of duty.
Copyright 2008 - 2023 Benita Koeman, Operation We Are Here. All rights reserved.
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