Operation Homefront

"The heart of a volunteer is not measured in size, but by the depth of the commitment to make a difference in the lives of others." Today, we celebrate Carolyn Bannon, Operation Homefront's Volunteer of the Year! Carolyn began her volunteering journey with us in 2019 while stationed in Hawaii. Since her start, she relocated to Connecticut, became a Team Captain with over 230 hours of service, and has taken on a leadership role in our community, significantly impacting the lives of many families. In 2024, Carolyn organized and led three Holiday Meals for Military® events in three states, supporting over 300 military families across New England. She creates an unmatched sense of gratitude at each event and exemplifies Operation Homefront's core values. Over the past five years, Carolyn has consistently gone above and beyond to contribute to our mission of building strong, stable, and secure military families. The joy and smiles you bring to those you serve are commendable. Thank you, Carolyn, for all your incredible work and generous heart. Read more of Carolyn's story here: https://lnkd.in/ggkaeMbx #Volunteer #MilitaryFamilies

Sgt. 1st Class Scarlett Martinez experienced termites, mold, sewer and plumbing problems, and shady contractors when moving into her home. When she acquired the older house, she immediately realized many things were overlooked during her VA loan approval inspection. Her issues quickly snowballed, starting with the AC and eventually resulting in termites and mold. Scarlett feared for her kids' safety in the house. She maxed out her credit cards to try to keep the home livable for them. Paying the mortgage came first, then having to choose between other bills. Putting food on the table became a concern. Luckily, her stress and PSTD subsided once she learned about and applied for our Critical Financial Assistance Program®. Through generous donations from Operation Homefront supporters such as The Home Depot Foundation, Scarlett was able to fund repairs to the plumbing, bathrooms, flooring, and mitigation of water damage. During a deployment to Iraq, Scarlett was shot in the eye, losing 70 percent of her sight in her left eye; she continued to serve her country in the Army National Guard and received a Purple Heart. She is now a sergeant first class working in recruitment. Scarlett Martinez thanks donors for believing in her; this belief and encouragement has turned her life around. Read more of her story here: https://lnkd.in/ekhNEw6z #MilitaryFamilies #VeteranSupport

As we kick off National Volunteer Week, we want to recognize our 4,000 extraordinary volunteers here at Operation Homefront! 🤝 Their dedication makes sure our organization's impact is felt throughout our military communities. Our volunteers deliver essential programs to military families and veterans nationwide, all while demonstrating compassion and selflessness. We have received countless expressions of appreciation from our team, donors, partners, and the families who directly benefit from their noble service. Today and every day, we thank our volunteers for their generosity and support. May your passionate spirit continue to inspire others. 💫🫶 #Volunteer #MilitaryFamilies

Eric joined the Navy in 2007 as a culinary specialist, serving in the supply department aboard the USS Pennsylvania, a ballistic missile submarine. He deployed eight times off the Pacific Coast, spending an average of three months underwater — with the longest deployment lasting 147 days. He also deployed to Afghanistan, where an explosion caused him to fall, resulting in a traumatic brain injury, a fractured lower back, hearing loss, and bulging discs in his neck and back. He also lives with PTSD. Eric continued to serve despite his injuries until 2013 when everything changed. As a single dad of three young kids, he made a tough, selfless decision: “Even though it meant the end of a career that I loved, my children mattered more, and I wanted to be there for them as they grew up,” he said. Now an executive chef in Texas, Eric juggles recovery, fatherhood, and a demanding job — with his loyal service dog, Ricey, always by his side. 🐾 But life hasn’t been easy: one car, major repairs, and a tight budget. Thanks to Operation Homefront and U.S. Bank's Driven to Serve program, Eric and his family now have a reliable vehicle — unlocking access to VA appointments, school, and everyday life. “The gratitude we have is so huge it can’t fit into anything I can think of.” First stop in the new ride? Ice cream. And yes — Ricey got a pup cup. https://lnkd.in/e7eFN9mc

🎓 Scholarship Opportunity for Military Spouses Nationwide! Thanks to Southern New Hampshire University, applications are NOW OPEN for a FULL online degree scholarship from SNHU! Together, we're offering five military spouses across the United States an incredible chance to pursue their educational goals. 📚💡🎉 Southern New Hampshire University is dedicated to providing accessible, affordable, and innovative education to all. Their flexible online programs and supportive community empower military spouses to pursue their education without sacrificing their commitments to family and service. 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲: The first 50 applications received will be considered for this life-changing opportunity. Visit https://lnkd.in/eA3uyNj7 and submit your application today! #MilitarySpouse #Scholarship #MilitaryFamilies #Education

Do you know what today is? Today is Purple Up Day, a day that allows us to raise awareness of the unique challenges military children face and provide them with extra encouragement and appreciation during Month of the Military Child. Last week, we had the privilege of honoring some of these incredible kids in person at our annual Military Child of the Year® Awards, and we want to keep the good times rolling. Join in on the celebration, gear up in your best purple, and tag an extraordinary military kid you know in the comments below! 💜 #PurpleUpDay

🏀🛒 They shop, they score! With the help of our friends at Reese's and Walmart, 15 local military families in San Antonio, Texas, were given a one-of-a-kind personal shopping experience where each family was paired with a Reese’s All-Star Game player. The fun didn’t end after the event. Families learned they were invited to Reese’s Final Four Friday and the annual Reese’s College All-Star Game hosted at Alamodome! Did you tune in to the final four? 🤩 #FinalFour #MilitaryFamilies

And that's a wrap! Congratulations again to Ian, Sophia, Natalia, Maribel, Isabella, Mason, and Emily for winning Military Child of the Year®. We hope you had a memorable experience, and we can't wait to see where your journey takes you next. 🌟

Military Child of the Year 2025 Live Awards Gala

Military Child of the Year 2025 Live Awards Gala