For the second consecutive year, I’m grateful to share the “12 days of Vet-mas” with you. I’m taking a detour from my normal content to offer 12 superb resources for the veteran community.

As I wrote last year, some of the items on this list could make great gifts, a few are impactful organizations, and all are about people who make a difference in the lives of our veterans. This list is for nice — not naughty (and definitely not disgruntled) — veterans.

Last disclaimer: Sharing this information does not constitute an endorsement by the VA.

1. Home Front Military Network connects service members, veterans, and their families to essential resources, including financial assistance provided by HFMN and their partners, to meet multiple needs of families. HFMN facilitates a partner network to better serve the military and veteran community in the Pikes Peak region and provides direct assistance, helping individuals and families thrive. https://homefrontmilitarynetwork.org/.

I’ve known Kate Hatten, executive director, for a few years. She recently shared with me, “Calls for assistance to HFMN have more than tripled in the past few years as we see many individuals and families struggling to overcome complex challenges. We offer personalized assistance, helping folks become and remain financially stable, providing other support, and giving them hope when they feel hopeless. We make a lasting difference in people’s lives.”

2. Each week, almost 14 million veterans and family members across the country receive the #VetResources newsletter. It’s loaded with resources, discounts, and veteran perks like concert tickets, national park passes, free workshops and more for veterans and their families.

John Boerstler, retired Marine and VA’s chief veterans experience officer, told me this month, “Every veteran needs to sign up at www.va.gov/VetResources/ so they can learn about all the resources available.”

As always, if you need help navigating VA benefits and care, you can chat at ask.VA.gov, or call 1-800-MyVA411.

3. Alpha Coffee (tagline: “Fuel for Warriors”) is a military family-owned business Carl and Lori Churchill started in their basement 13 years ago. I can attest to the quality of coffee and cocoa they offer, but I also love that they give back. They’ve donated more than 22,000 bags of coffee to deployed troops and donated over $100,000 to charities. They offer a 20% first order discount and ongoing discounts for subscriptions, veterans, first responders and teachers.

I met Carl and Lori while working for a nonprofit 10 years ago. Carl shared with me recently, “Lori and I have worked really hard over the years to create a different kind of coffee company. One that customers love, where our team works hard and loves it, and where we can make a difference through our Grounds for Good give back program.”

Consider grabbing that first order discount at www.alpha.coffee.

4. Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center provides transition and employment assistance, health and wellness services, supportive services, connection to community resources, and a safe event space. This year, Mt. Carmel expanded services to more of southern Colorado and opened the Colorado Veterans Business Outreach Center as they continue to work to provide wraparound services for military members, veterans and their families. For more information, or to donate to their worthy nonprofit, visit www.veteranscenter.org/.

I’ve known executive director Bob McLaughlin for years. He recently wrote to me, “El Paso County has the largest density of veterans of any city in our country. It’s an honor to serve those who served our nation bravely and selflessly. Many of our veterans continue to help others after their transition and bring their rich experience to our communities. But many also need our assistance as they transition from the military. We invite you to support Mt. Carmel through volunteering or donations. Help us serve the protectors of freedom.”

5. The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Red Rock in Colorado Springs is a mental health clinic for post-9/11 veterans, service members, National Guard/Reserve, and military families. Care is available in-person and throughout Colorado via telehealth. It is part of Cohen Veterans Network, which has 24 Cohen Clinics nationwide. https://www.red-rock.com/cohen-clinic-colorado-springs/.

Anthony Hassan, president and CEO of Cohen Veterans Network, shared with me via email, “When a member of the military community raises their hand for help, we answer the call with accessible, military culturally competent care tailored to their needs.”

6. Vet Tix (Veteran Tickets Foundation) is a national nonprofit distributing over 19 million event tickets. Vet Tix gives something to those who gave by distributing free event tickets to verified veterans, service members and their families to thank them for their service and sacrifice to our country.

These tickets help reduce stress, strengthen family bonds, build lifelong memories, and encourage veterans to stay engaged with their local communities and American life.

If you haven’t signed up (it’s free to join), you’ve missed out on the opportunity to attend events for free like Disney on Ice, Denver Broncos, “A Colorado Nutcracker,” Colorado Avalanche and many other events throughout the year.

My friend Steve Weintraub is their chief strategy officer and recently told me, “Vet Tix knows there’s a large population of veterans and service members in Colorado. Our staff continues to include more events throughout the region as we build on giving something to those who gave. This year, Vet Tix has distributed more than 105,000 tickets to over 1,000 events to the more than 60,000 Vet Tix members throughout Colorado.”

I encourage any veteran to visit www.Vettix.org and sign up for this great offer.

7. Onward to Opportunity (O2O) is a nonprofit organization within the D’Aniello Institute of Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University. O2O empowers veterans, active duty, and military spouses through free training and education, earning an industry recognized certification supporting high-demand careers in IT, project management and business management.

This is a one-time-use program with industry-recognized training, paired with alumni support and valuable employment resources for building and furthering rewarding careers. O2O is offered at 19 military installations throughout the country, to include Fort Carson and surrounding bases, and the ability to support service members and their families nationwide.

https://ivmf.syracuse.edu/programs/career-training/.

8. Military Deals is on a mission to simplify access to exclusive offers tailored for the military and veteran community. Serving as a one-stop shop, Military Deals connects customers to unique deals and services from over 1,400 brands while offering cashback (“VetBucks”) rewards. With a commitment to making everyday Veterans Day, Military Deals invites merchants to earn “Dog Tags” as Premium Partners by providing special offers or VetBucks. https://www.militarydeals.com/

Kevin Sullivan, founder and CEO of Military Deals, recently shared with me, “We have one simple goal: Provide access to unique and exclusive offers developed specifically for our Heroes and their families.”

9. Winter Sports Clinic. Without a doubt, this is my favorite and most powerful, week of the year. I have the privilege to join 400 profoundly disabled veterans (amputees, vision-impaired, spinal cord injuries, etc.) from across the country as they experience “Miracles on the Mountainside” in Snowmass. World-class instructors train veterans in adaptive Alpine and Nordic skiing, sled hockey, and several other adaptive activities to help veterans achieve their maximum potential. Visit www.wintersportsclinic.org to learn more about the event scheduled April 1-7.

Teresa Parks, my boss for one week each year and the director, is forever grateful, “I deeply appreciate the hundreds of volunteers and sponsors who selflessly dedicate their time and resources to support our veteran participants in the premier and largest rehabilitative event of its kind in the world.”

10. Gobi Heat, based in Fort Collins, salutes the military and veteran community with an exclusive program, offering 20% off their entire order as a token of their appreciation.

It seems like the older I get, the colder I get! Their heated clothing provides warmth and comfort, whether braving the Back Bowls in Vail, strutting the 16th Street Mall in downtown Denver, or simply seeking coziness indoors. With Gobi Heat’s Military Program, veterans can use the code “Military20” at checkout to enjoy the special discounted rate. https://gobiheat.com/pages/militaryprogram

11. The El Paso County Veterans Service Office assists veterans and eligible claimants of those who served honorably to maximize their benefits. All El Paso County Veteran Services Officers are accredited and are veterans themselves. They routinely capture, on average, double the benefit value for their clients.

Marshall Bosworth, El Paso County veterans services division manager, laid it out straight with me: “As an organization, El Paso County is the recognized regional leader in service delivery, evidenced through the efforts of El Paso County Veteran Service Officers. When veterans, survivors, and active military choose El Paso County, they can trust that they will be heard, understood, and provided with the highest quality of service.”

https://justiceservices.elpasoco.com/veterans-services/.

12. The BLUF is a short-segment, infotainment video product produced each week. You might have heard the axiom “by veterans, for veterans.” The BLUF is just that: written, directed, hosted, edited, sliced/diced, and produced by a dedicated team of veterans who simply want to get the information to their brothers and sisters in arms in a manner that just might make them laugh.

Do yourself a favor. Subscribe to https://www.youtube.com/@DeptVetAffairs to receive an alert for the latest episode of The BLUF, released every Wednesday. If you like what you see, share the episode with your fellow veterans via email.

Merry Christmas to all my readers and thanks for allowing me to walk alongside you behind friendly lines.

Victory!

Jason T. Strickland is the chief communications officer for the VA Rocky Mountain Network; jason.strickland2@va.gov.