January 2025 Mission Impact Report

January is always a strange month. The noise of the holidays fades, and in the quiet that follows, we reflect. We look back on what was and set our sights on what’s ahead. For me, this time of year is more than just a reset-it’s a reminder of why I do this work.

I’m a retired Marine, and like too many of my brothers and sisters, I carry the weight of trauma from my service. There was a time when that weight nearly crushed me. What pulled me back from the edge was my service dog, Venus-a lifeline I was able to create because of the training I received from a veteran-led nonprofit. That experience didn’t just save my life; it showed me the power of community and the necessity of real, tangible support for veterans in crisis.

Every single day, 17 veterans take their own lives-that’s over 6,000 lives lost every year. It’s a crisis we can’t afford to ignore. I know people are skeptical of companies that claim to support veterans. I get it-there have been bad actors who have turned the veteran identity into a marketing gimmick. But that’s not what Honorguard Coffee is about. This isn’t just branding for us. This is a mission, one rooted in lived experience, one that drives every decision we make.

January was a busy month for John and me, for Honorguard Coffee, and for the mission: ending the veteran suicide crisis. In the past month, we’ve built relationships with multiple veteran-led nonprofit organizations, strengthening our ability to support those on the frontlines of veteran advocacy. Two of these organizations sought consulting sessions for organizational development-an area where my experience in business and operational strategy provides a unique perspective. It’s becoming clear that leaders in the nonprofit world can benefit from insights from the for-profit sector, and Honorguard Coffee is in a strong position to bridge that gap. The overlap is significant, and by bringing business-minded strategy to mission-driven organizations, we’re helping them maximize their impact.

As a direct extension of this mission, I serve on the advisory board for two organizations: Heavy Hitters Project and Vital Roots Foundation. These organizations receive ongoing strategic support as needed, ensuring they have the tools and structure necessary to carry out their respective missions. The work these groups are doing is nothing short of extraordinary, and I consider it an honor to stand beside them.

Grace After Fire

Grace After Fire is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women veterans as they transition from military to civilian life. Their mission is to provide the means for women veterans to gain knowledge, insight, and self-renewal, striving to rekindle the sisterhood shared during military service.

They offer a variety of services tailored to the unique needs of female veterans, including:

• Wellness Programs: Focusing on holistic health and well-being.

• Peer-to-Peer Support Groups: Providing a platform for shared experiences and mutual support.

• Community Resource Navigation: Assisting veterans in accessing local resources.

• Social Events and Annual Retreats: Facilitating community building and camaraderie.

These initiatives are crucial because female veterans often face unique challenges during reintegration, including underrepresentation and limited access to tailored resources. By supporting Grace After Fire, we help ensure that these brave women receive the assistance and community they deserve.

CEO Tana Plescher exemplifies this mission with her unwavering dedication to serving this underserved segment of the veteran community. Her leadership and passion make her a true powerhouse and champion for female veterans.

SEAWAVES

SEAWAVES is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting service members, veterans, and their families by addressing eating disorders and promoting mental health within the military community. Their mission is to break the silence surrounding eating disorders in the military through education, resources, and peer support, ensuring that no service member or veteran has to face these challenges alone.

They focus on:

• Advocacy and Awareness: Shedding light on the often-overlooked issue of eating disorders in military culture.

• Reducing Mental Health Stigma: Encouraging open conversations and increasing access to support networks.

• Education and Prevention: Providing resources to help service members recognize and address disordered eating behaviors.

These initiatives are critical because eating disorders are frequently misunderstood and underdiagnosed in the military, leading to severe consequences, including suicide. By supporting SEAWAVES, we stand with them in their mission to create a culture of mental wellness within the military. Honorguard Coffee is committed to collaborating with SEAWAVES to amplify their impact and ensure that more veterans receive the support they need.

Heavy Hitters Project

Heavy Hitters Project, founded by Rob, is a nonprofit that provides crisis intervention and peer support to veterans struggling with suicidal ideation. Rob has built this organization from the ground up, and in just a few short months, his work has directly prevented eight suicides. Eight lives still here, still breathing, still fighting, because of his efforts. That is the reality of this mission. That is the power of stepping up. This month, Honorguard Coffee made a financial contribution of $139.59 to support Heavy Hitters Project, and we will continue to support their critical work however we can.

Vital Roots Foundation

Vital Roots Foundation is another incredible organization I have the privilege of advising. Vital Roots Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering healing, purpose, and community connection for U.S. veterans through horticulture therapy and permaculture practices. Their mission is to provide veterans with therapeutic outlets, skill development opportunities, and a strong sense of belonging, all of which are crucial for reintegration into civilian life.

They focus on:

• Horticulture Therapy: Utilizing gardening and plant-based activities to promote mental and physical well-being.

• Permaculture Practices: Implementing sustainable agricultural methods to create regenerative ecosystems.

• Community Building: Creating spaces where veterans can connect, share experiences, and support one another.

As an advisory board member, I have the privilege of offering ongoing strategic support to Vital Roots Foundation, ensuring they have the structure and resources necessary to carry out their mission. Honorguard Coffee is committed to supporting their initiatives and working alongside them to provide veterans with meaningful paths to healing and purpose.

Looking Ahead: February & Supporting Veteran Canine Intelligence Academy

As we push into February, we’re not slowing down. We will continue expanding our network of veteran-led organizations and providing them with the support they need to keep fighting the good fight.

One particularly meaningful commitment this month is our financial support of Veteran Canine Intelligence Academy (VCIA). At the end of February, 25% of all gross corporate profits will be donated to VCIA, an organization that holds a deeply personal significance for me.

Andy McTigue, the founder of VCIA, was the man who taught me how to train my service dog, Venus. What he gave me was more than just training-it was a lifeline. VCIA and Andy’s work saved my life. I would not be here today without the skills and support they provided. To now be in a position where I can give back, to help ensure other veterans receive the same life-changing support I did-it’s humbling, and it’s an opportunity I don’t take lightly.

The Heart of This Mission

I can’t do this alone. Honorguard Coffee’s impact-everything we’ve been able to accomplish, every veteran we’ve been able to support-has only been possible because of you. This mission isn’t just mine, it belongs to all of us. Our supporters are the foundation of this work.

Because of your support, we have directly supported six nonprofit organizations and contributed a total financial contribution of $1,749.56. Every bag of coffee you purchase, every time you share our story, every moment you spend being part of this community-it all adds up. It’s because of you that we can continue to push forward, to make a difference, to keep veterans from slipping through the cracks.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you for standing with us. Thank you for believing in this mission. And thank you for proving, time and again, that we are stronger together.

We’re just getting started. If you believe in this mission, keep spreading the word, sharing our story, and standing with us. If you want to see more of the behind-the-scenes, unfiltered work we do, check out our Patreon. If you’d rather stay in the loop for free, join our newsletter. Together, we will continue to make an impact.

I don't care if you buy the coffee or not. What I really care about is my brothers and sisters to stop killing themselves. I don't want to live in fear of getting one of "those" calls anymore. So if you decide to find your own path to combating the suicide crisis I count that as a win, we need more people like you that give a damn.

Onward.