Several nonprofit organizations based in the Tomball and Magnolia areas host various events and fundraisers throughout the year to support veterans and active-duty military personnel. Learn more about these three organizations this Memorial Day.
Edd and Rhonda Harshbarger co-founded Kilroy’s Krew in 2013 to show appreciation to veterans of World War II by organizing trips to historic sites.
“We’re just trying to show our thanks for our freedom and what these men and women did for us,” Edd Harshbarger said.
The Tomball-based organization led a group of veterans on a trip to Washington, D.C., in June 2015 with a visit to the National World War II Memorial.
Kilroy’s Krew is planning a June 6 bus trip from Tomball to the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, Texas. The organization offers all trips at no cost to veterans, Harshbarger said.
While Kilroy’s Krew may organize another trip to Washington, Harshbarger said the organization is adopting a more local focus so the trips are less taxing for veterans—who are now, on average, about 93 years old—and less expensive to organize. Possible trips include those to museums in Fredericksburg, Bryan and Huntsville.
Harshbarger said the biggest challenge facing Kilroy’s Krew is finding veterans to take on the trips.
“It’s hard to find World War II veterans,” Harshbarger said. “We lose about 400 [veterans] a day nationwide, so time is critical. We want to do as much as we can with them while we can.”
Lindsey Rogers said she and her husband, Jimmy—a Navy veteran—founded Boots for Troops in June 2015 to lift the spirits of deployed military personnel by sending them care packages, each including a new pair of boots.
“On the ship, mail call was like Christmas morning,” Lindsey Rogers said.
In total, the organization has sent 205 care packages to military members around the world, Rogers said.
Boots for Troops opened a new office on Wright Road in Magnolia in early March, which allows more space for care packages to be prepared. Rogers said about 15 packages can now be sent each month.
“We’re able to get our care packages out so much quicker,” she said. “It’s given us a place where people can come see us at work and come be a part of it as well.”
Boots for Troops also funds travel costs for select active-duty personnel to return home for holidays or emergency situations.
To raise funds, Boots for Troops hosts events, such as a Bets for Vets Casino Gala slated for May 20 in The Woodlands and its annual Concert in the Country fundraiser.
“When [troops are] reminded that somebody back home does care, it makes a world of difference,” she said.
Since its founding three years ago, Texans United For Freedom has championed veterans, active-duty military, first responders and law enforcement officers, board member Jason Rinn said.
“Our mission is to support and honor those who support us,” he said. “We believe that they deserve more recognition and honor than they’re getting.”
The organization partners with Lone Survivor Foundation to serve veterans and features a TUFF Kids component that involves children in giving back to community members, Rinn said.
TUFF’s largest fundraiser, Cooking 4 Courage, features cookoff competitions and other activities during Veterans Day weekend. Previously held in Unity Park, the multiday event will be held in Conroe at the Lone Star Convention & Expo Center this fall to accommodate additional guests, Rinn said.
Additionally, Rinn said TUFF is launching a program that offers scholarships for veterans to attend police and fire academies. Upon graduating, these recipients will be guaranteed a job in Montgomery County.
“We’re trying to make a bigger impact on the county,” Rinn said. “This is not a Magnolia thing anymore.”
