Category: Uncategorized

For most people, November 11 is a day to honor those who have served our country. For Erik and Melissa Holtan, it’s even more special. The date marks Veteran’s Day, Erik’s birthday, and the couple’s wedding anniversary.

“It means a lot to me beyond just being my birthday,” Erik shared. “Seeing the pride of older generations finally being celebrated after not getting recognition before—it’s powerful. I’m proud to see the community come together like that.” Every year, Erik and Melissa start their morning at their local Hy-Vee, where veterans are invited for breakfast. “In a funny way, it’s nice to get free breakfast to celebrate our Anniversary.”

“We both served in the same unit, and that’s actually how we met,” Melissa said. “So it’s not just a day of celebration for us—it’s also a reminder of where our story began.”

As the years go by, the day’s meaning continues to grow for them. “Our anniversary is a date, but our marriage is daily,” Melissa said with a smile. This year, the Holtans will celebrate their 30th anniversary with a trip to a Liberty University football game in Lynchburg, Virginia—a getaway they started last year and hope to make a yearly tradition.

During Erik’s deployment in 2005, the couple leaned heavily on their community for support. Beyond the Yellow Ribbon (BTYR) wasn’t around yet when he served overseas, but once it formed, the Holtans didn’t hesitate to get involved. “We knew not everyone had strong family support,” Erik explained. “So we dedicated a lot of time to help local BTYR networks. I served as chairman for our local group, and Melissa was always there beside me helping at events. The community we served was so appreciative.”

That’s why Tee It Up for the Troops’ support of Beyond the Yellow Ribbon means so much to them. “When our local BTYR started, funding was tough,” Erik said. “Having nonprofits like Tee It Up for the Troops partner with us was such a blessing. ” People have needs the other 364 days too. That’s why local networks and nonprofits are so vital—they step in when families need help most.”

Looking ahead, Erik and Melissa hope the next generation continues that spirit of service. “We want our kids and grandkids to understand the sacrifices Veterans and their families make,” Erik said. “It’s not always easy, and we’ll need a new generation of support to carry it forward.”

Erik also encourages his fellow Veterans to stay connected. “Reach out to those you served with, even if it’s just once a year,” he shared. “Time moves fast, and those old friendships matter more than you realize.”

That message of reconnection is exactly what Tee It Up for the Troops’ REUNION Program is all about. Through this initiative, Tee It Up for the Troops brings together combat Veterans who were separated after deployment, giving them a chance to reconnect, reflect, and heal alongside their brothers and sisters in arms.

To learn more about the Reunion Program and how you can support future reunions, visit our REUNION page.

To learn more about the BTYR, visit, Beyond the Yellow Ribbon.

Every year, Tee It Up for the Troops is reminded of the incredible ripple effect your generosity creates. Since launching our grant program in 2006, we’ve proudly awarded over $18,000,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations nationwide—ensuring that veterans and their families, whether in small hometowns or large cities, can access the resources they need not just to survive, but to thrive.

For the 2025 grant cycle, we received over 240 applications—each one representing a veteran, a family, or a community seeking hope, healing, and support. Guided by Tee It Up for the Troops’ six core pillars of care, our team carefully reviewed each request, committed to honoring your trust and ensuring every donated dollar fuels programs that make a lasting impact. Whether it’s helping veterans heal from invisible wounds, preventing suicide, supporting employment and housing, or strengthening families and caregivers, your generosity is driving real change where it’s needed most.

We are proud to spotlight a few of the organizations you’ve helped empower to create meaningful change. These stories go beyond grants—they’re about you. They reflect the impact your support has when it reaches those working on the front lines of veteran care. And they serve as a powerful reminder that together, we’re building more than just events. We’re building hope, healing, and a legacy of gratitude.

Guest House | Chicago, IL

Guest House is deeply grateful for Tee It Up for the Troops’ support. The grant received supported our Road Home program, which is essential to improving access to mental health treatment for U.S. military veterans.

With your help, Guest House provided 3,090 nights of no-cost lodging and support services for 265 veterans while they received care for military traumas at the Road Home Intensive Outpatient Program at Rush University Medical Center. The Road Home program delivered two weeks of day-long treatment to veterans striving to overcome the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder, military sexual trauma, and related mental health conditions, while Guest House provided veteran-focused lodging and supportive care.

Home For Our Troops | Taunton, MA

Home For Our Troops has had an exciting year. Thanks to your support, in 2025 we delivered 12 homes to severely injured veterans, broke ground on 10 construction projects, including our first in Wyoming, and welcomed 18 new veterans into the HFOT family. All of this fulfills our mission to build homes and rebuild lives.

“This home is a game changer. There is no longer this looming question of what if. The question now becomes, what’s next? This home will provide Ed with full independence and a place to completely decompress. Our lives changed when we heard, ‘Welcome to the family.’”

— Stephany Bonfiglio, wife of HM3 Ed Bonfiglio

Imprints of Honor | Phoenix, AZ

Thank you so much for supporting our mission with a grant for our After-School Chapter Program, which creates a platform for veterans to share their service experiences and connect with their communities. Your support provides the gift of knowledge, appreciation, honor, and legacy.

Although our name has changed from Veterans Heritage Project to Imprints of Honor, our mission remains the same. Our program continues to recognize the importance of veterans’ service while helping students learn about history, citizenship, and leadership. We are now in our 21st year of students interviewing veterans and preserving their legacies by writing and publishing service stories, engaging in civic activities, and planning community events to honor veterans.

Meaningful connections are made between veterans and students. Storytelling from one generation to the next shares experience, imparts lessons, preserves legacy, and inspires youth. Beyond the emotional healing veterans experience, many deepen their conversations with family members and build mentor relationships with their student interviewers, inspiring young people to lead lives of honor through examples of courage and perseverance.

AMP Employees Support Tee It Up for the Troops by hosting a Longest Marshmallow Chipping Contest!

As the weather begins to cool, marshmallows usually make us think of gooey s’mores by the fire. But as our friends at AMP showed us, marshmallows can serve another purpose too, becoming the perfect stand-in for golf balls during a Longest Marshmallow Chipping Contest that brought out plenty of fun, teamwork, and generosity.

Check Out their LinkedIn post!

Thanks to their efforts, AMP employees raised more than $1,000 for Tee It Up for the Troops. These funds will directly help us serve veterans and their families, providing opportunities for healing, connection, and growth through golf events and community programs.

We extend our deepest gratitude to the employees of AMP and their Fun Committee for hosting such a unique and meaningful event. Their creativity and generosity remind us that even something as lighthearted as chipping marshmallows can make a lasting difference when it’s done in support of those who have sacrificed so much.

As our outdoor golf season winds down, many of us start thinking about upgrading our golf clubs. Perhaps you’ve caught yourself saying things like,

“If only I had used new clubs, I would have definitely golfed better.” 

“End-of-season sales mean I can finally get that new driver.”

“I swear my putter has a personal grudge against me.”

“Clearly my handicap is the club’s fault, not mine.”

But then comes the inevitable question:   What do I do with my old clubs?

     Instead of letting them collect dust in the garage, consider giving your golf gear a new mission, one that supports a cause close to home. Through our partnership with 2nd Swing, you can donate your gently used golf clubs to benefit Tee It Up for the Troops, a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring and supporting veterans and their families.

Donating is easy with two convenient options:

Option 1: Bring your clubs to any 2nd Swing location and let them know you’d like to donate them to Tee It Up for the Troops.

Option 2: Mail them in—shipping is on us! To mail your clubs:

• Gather clubs – Collect your gently used, name-brand golf clubs.
• Check value – Use the 2nd Swing Value Guide to get an estimated value, plus a free shipping label.
• Pack & label – Box up your clubs and attach the shipping label.
• Ship – Drop the package at any FedEx location. A donation receipt will be sent within 6–8 weeks.

Important note: Please DO NOT send golf clubs or equipment directly to the Tee It Up for the Troops office, as we are unable to process them or provide donation receipts.

Click here to Get Started

Whether it’s a driver, putter, or full set, your donation helps fund programs that support veterans and their families.

It’s a small gesture that can make a big difference in the lives of those who’ve served. Thank you for helping Tee It Up for the Troops honor, remember, respect, and support our veterans, one club at a time.

It’s no small feat to grow from a soldier’s selfless request to “Help those back home” in 2005 to now surpassing $18 million in total grants to veteran service organizations. Over the past 20 years, Tee It Up for the Troops has proudly supported critical programs that serve the unique needs of our nation’s veterans — helping them heal, rebuild, and thrive.

“Thanks to the unwavering dedication of hundreds of extraordinary volunteers, Tee It Up for the Troops has now proudly surpassed $18 million in grants to our trusted nonprofit partners. But this milestone is far more than a number—it’s a powerful reflection of our deep and lasting commitment to those who have served and sacrificed to protect our nation’s freedoms. These funds support critical programs that assist our veterans and their families as they transition from the battlefront to the homefront, helping them heal and ‘get back on course’ from the visible and invisible wounds of war.”

— Tim Wegscheid, President & Executive Director

Grant Recipient Spotlight: Leashes of Valor

Helping Post-9/11 Veterans and Rescue Dogs Heal Together

One of our most recent national grant recipients, Leashes of Valor, trains service dogs for post-9/11 veterans with PTSD and other service-connected injuries. Whenever possible, they rescue dogs from shelters — giving a second chance to both the veteran and the dog. Veterans like Xander Hernandez are finding hope and healing through these life-changing partnerships.

“The moment I saw her, and the leash went in my hand, I knew — this is it.”
— Xander Hernandez

Xander was a senior in high school on 9/11. The attack set him on a path to enlist in the Army immediately through the delayed-entry program. He deployed to Iraq as a radio communications specialist, determined to serve. But war left its mark. Xander suffered spinal and leg injuries during two deployments and later received a diagnosis of PTSD. He spent over a decade searching — unsuccessfully — for a service dog. After years of disappointment and even being scammed by a fake nonprofit, Xander nearly gave up. That’s when his wife discovered Leashes of Valor, and everything changed.

“When I got to training and saw Red, it was instant. She’s been the perfect match ever since.”

With his service dog Ruby Red by his side, Xander is now embracing a new life — one with greater freedom, independence, and peace of mind.

Where Your Support Goes

Because of your generosity, we’re able to fund trusted partners like Leashes of Valor, as well as many other organizations (See just a few our beneficiaries here.) that support our mission providing services around our six core pillars:

• Post-Traumatic Stress and Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment
• Suicide Prevention
• Housing & homelessness
• Employment
• Family & caregiver support
• Golf & sports rehabilitation

What’s Next? Onward to $20 Million

We’re not done yet. With your continued support, we look forward to growing our impact and reaching the next milestone — together.

Want to help us get there? Donate here or Get Involved

Help Veterans Heal from the Invisible Wounds of War

June is PTSD Awareness Month, a time to shine a light on the mental health challenges many of our nation’s heroes face after returning home. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects hundreds of thousands of veterans and subsequently their families. It can lead to anxiety, depression, isolation, substance abuse, and tragically, suicide.

At Tee It Up for the Troops, we have learned that one of the most powerful forms of healing is connection—with those who’ve walked the same path.

That’s why we created REUNION, a life-changing outreach program designed to reunite veterans with the people who understand them best—their fellow comrades. These one-on-one reunions foster healing, trust, and hope.

Not only do we provide support for the veterans but also their spouse/significant others who attend. A key addition was to offer support to those who provide critical care and encouragement for the veterans in their lives.

Why Your Support Matters

REUNION helps veterans process trauma and rediscover a sense of purpose, hope, and belonging. Through helpful breakout sessions, reconnection through shared stories, and fellowship on and off the golf course, participants break the cycle of isolation and take steps toward healing.

Tee It Up for the Troops relies on companies, corporations, foundations, and individual REUNION sponsors and donors to assist us in reuniting combat veterans and helping them transition from the battlefront to the home front.

 

With your donation or sponsorship, you can:

• Cover travel and lodging costs for a veteran
• Provide access to mental health resources
• Rebuild connections that combat PTSD’s isolating effects
• Align your brand or organization with a cause that changes these heroes’ lives

Your support sends a powerful message to our nation’s heroes:

You are not alone.
You are not forgotten.
And healing is possible.

Are You or Someone You Know a Combat Veteran Living with PTSD?
If you or someone you care about could benefit from the healing power of REUNION, we invite you to reach out.
Learn more.

Vehicles For Veterans reaches significant donation milestone to support veteran charity Tee It Up for the Troops.

APRIL, 2025 — Vehicles For Veterans is proud to announce a remarkable donation milestone, contributing $325,676 to “Tee It Up for the Troops.” This veteran-centered organization benefits from proceeds of car donations collected nationwide.

Tee It Up for the Troops is a fiercely passionate charity committed to helping veterans and their families successfully transition from the battlefront to the home front. Founded in 2005, the organization utilizes golf events to increase awareness and invest funds to provide vital support to veterans for rehabilitative programs, family assistance, and community reintegration services.

“We are thrilled to contribute to the exceptional work being done by Tee It Up for the Troops,” said Randy Heiligman, Executive Director and Co-Founder of National Fundraising Management, the marketing arm of Vehicles for Veterans. “Our partnership has a meaningful impact on veterans and their families, and we are committed to continuing our support.”

All the funds Vehicles For Veterans has donated to Tee It Up for the Troops came from generous vehicle donations across the U.S.A. In the hands of Vehicles For Veterans, an unwanted vehicle can make a big impact on those who have served our country through great charity recipients like Tee It Up for the Troops.

“We are deeply grateful for the generous support from Vehicles For Veterans,” said Tim Wegscheid, President, Tee It Up for the Troops. “Their substantial donations will significantly enhance our ability to provide services to veterans and their families. Together, we are making a profound difference in the lives of those who have bravely served our country.”

Car Donation Foundation d/b/a Vehicles For Veterans, a non-profit 501(c)(3) vehicle donation organization, aids veteran charities across the U.S. Donors enjoy free towing and receive a tax-deductible receipt. Car Donation Foundation has successfully donated over $171 million, continuously making a difference in veteran communities.

Learn More about Vehicles for Veterans

When Tee It Up for the Troops combat veteran Danielle Green was growing up on the south side of Chicago, Danielle Green’s grandmother always encouraged her to “get out and be somebody.” At first, it seemed like basketball would be the way she’d accomplish that mission. After earning a basketball scholarship to the University of Notre Dame and becoming the 17th-leading scorer in program history, she had certainly gotten out and become somebody. However, after graduating with a degree in psychology from Notre Dame, Danielle felt she could do more to serve others, so she joined the U.S. Army as a military police officer.

In 2004, while patrolling on a 115-degree rooftop in Baghdad, Iraq, she was injured by a rocket-propelled grenade causing her to lose her dominant left arm.  She was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds sustained in combat. She had to re-learn how to do almost everything, reinvent herself, and find a new purpose.  After eight months of occupational therapy at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Danielle returned to Chicago to complete a master’s degree in counseling from Saint Xavier University.  She embarked on a career with the Chicago Board of Education and continued with a career with the Department of Veteran’s Affairs for 12 years.

Her passion for serving others has led her to help countless people over the last 19 years, including her support as a Tee It Up for the Troops combat veteran.  She’s counseled warriors in mental health, aided in veterans’ transition to civilian life, and now travels the country to share her powerful story as a spokesperson with the Wounded Warrior Project in the hope that more veterans will reach out for the help they need.  Danielle was recognized for her service when she received the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2015 ESPY Awards. Danielle resides in St Petersburg, FL with her nine-year-old son Daniel, and her life partner Robert.

Veterans Give Back Hat Collection

Imperial, the premier headwear brand in the golf industry, has launched a special Veterans Give Back Hat Collection, in partnership with Tee It Up for the Troops.  Each unique style in this collection was hand-selected by a U.S. veteran, and embroidered with their name, nickname, or call sign in their honor. A portion of proceeds from this collection is given back to Tee It Up for the Troops to go towards veteran services.

The D-Smooth – A tonal camo knit performance cap is named for U.S. veteran Danielle Green.

The D-Smooth cap in honor of U.S. veteran Danielle Green.Support our troops by buying one of these personalized hats HERE.