Championing Veterans’ Healing and Hope
For Kim Van Wyngaardt, giving back to veterans is both personal and purposeful. She volunteers with Koterra, a nonprofit dedicated to helping veterans heal from traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and related conditions using non-pharmaceutical, science-based treatments such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).
Kim first became involved through Koterra’s founder, her close friend Patti Brady, a lifelong advocate for veterans. Over the years, Kim has helped shape the organization’s identity by assisting in the creation of its logo and tagline, as well as volunteering at fundraising events, including a recent charity golf tournament that raised $23,000. During the event, one participant also offered to fully fund a veteran’s HBOT treatment — a $40,000 gift.
Kim’s commitment is grounded in a simple belief: veterans who have risked their lives for others deserve accessible, high-quality care when they return home. Supporting Koterra is one way she ensures those with invisible wounds receive recognition, treatment, and renewed hope.
Fighting Food Insecurity, One Community Meal at a Time
Food insecurity is felt even more deeply during the holidays, and Alissa Lorentz is committed to helping her community meet that need. Through the Fraternal Order of Eagles #811 in Wooster, Ohio, and their partnership with Wooster Community Kitchen, Alissa helped lead a monthlong November food drive to support the Kitchen’s work providing hot, nutritious meals to neighbors in need.
Throughout November, Alissa organized, promoted, and actively supported the food drive. She designed flyers and social content, encouraged donations, collected contributions, and helped transport goods. Thanks to the efforts of members and guests, the drive collected enough monetary donations and more than 500 food items to help provide 600+ meals to local families.
Alissa’s commitment is rooted in empathy and community. With so many people facing financial hardship, she believes no one should question where their next meal will come from, especially during the holidays. For her, this effort embodies the Eagles’ motto, “people helping people,” and demonstrates the profound impact of showing up for the community you call home.
Honoring Loved Ones Through Compassionate Care
Some acts of giving come from a place of remembrance. Lily Richardson and her family are donating to the hospice foundation that cared for her grandmother during the final stage of her life.
The holidays can be a difficult season when you’re missing someone you love. Donating to an organization that offered such meaningful support not only honors her grandmother’s memory but also helps ensure other families receive the same comfort and compassionate care.
Building Community Through Faith and Family Traditions
For Brent Wingfield, giving back this season happens close to home through his family’s church, Christ the King Lutheran Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. During the Advent season, the church hosts weekly devotional services where a meal is provided and Brent helps make these gatherings possible by bringing food, assisting with setup and cleanup, and coordinating event needs.
He is also volunteering at the church’s upcoming Christmas for Kids celebration, a festive event for children ages 3–12 filled with art, music, crafts, and even a bouncy house. Brent will be greeting families and directing parking so older members don’t have to wait outside in the cold, while his wife, Madison, supports the fun indoors with face painting.
This work matters deeply to Brent and his family. Volunteering, especially at events for kids, is one way they put their faith and love for others into action. It’s also important to them that their own children see service modeled in meaningful, everyday ways. And with Advent marking the beginning of the Christian year, participating in these traditions carries special significance.
Supporting Second Chances for Pets in Need
Kylie Willet’s holiday giving means supporting the rescue that saved her dog, Ryder. Crossing Paths Animal Rescue, a volunteer-run organization in Alabama, works tirelessly to pull dogs from overcrowded shelters and transport them to communities where adoption rates are higher.
With shelters nationwide experiencing lower adoption numbers and fewer donations, rescues like Crossing Paths are facing increasing challenges. Kylie donates multiple times a year, but her holiday contribution is an especially meaningful way to give back to the group that brought Ryder into her life and continues to help so many dogs find loving homes.
Giving Back, Together
Whether through supporting veterans, addressing food insecurity, honoring loved ones, building faith and community, or helping animals in need, these contributions reflect the heart of this season and the spirit of our team.
Together, these stories show how individual acts of kindness can create meaningful change. As we close out the year, we celebrate the compassion our colleagues bring to their communities and the collective impact of their generosity. This spirit of service is what carries us forward during the holidays and all year long.
