2024 Beneficiary
This year, we are proud to support the 23rd Veteran Organization as our chosen beneficiary. Please take a moment to learn more about their incredible mission.
About 23rd Veteran: 23rd Veteran is dedicated to transforming the lives of military personnel and veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress and other combat-related challenges. By pioneering a unique, multidisciplinary approach, they reassociate traumatic memories with positive experiences, promoting mental and physical wellness. Their programs focus on creating new, positive memories through structured activities, peer support, and professional guidance, helping veterans reclaim their lives and achieve lasting happiness. Through these efforts, 23rd Veteran provides a path to hope and healing, making a profound impact on the veteran and military community.
Speaker Bio
Mike Waldron, a Marine Corps infantry veteran from the 2003 Iraq invasion, faced severe anxiety, nightmares, and suicidal ideation upon his return. Despite a successful career managing US Courthouses and Federal Buildings, these internal battles persisted. Determined to reclaim his life, Mike embarked on a journey to understand and transform his combat-altered brain. Leaving his federal career behind, he pioneered a groundbreaking multidisciplinary approach that reassociates traumatic memories with positive experiences. Since 2015, Mike has led a dedicated team in this innovative method, helping countless others find hope and happiness. Through his work with 23rd Veteran, he has revolutionized military mental health support, educated thousands nationwide, and provided invaluable insights to Congress, Universities, and Fortune 100 companies. Recognized as the nation's "Best Venture Impacting Veterans" by IVMF, Mike's powerful story and transformative approach make him an unforgettable speaker, embodying the true essence of honoring and supporting our veterans.
Over the years, we've proudly supported the Minnesota VA Brain Sciences Center in their groundbreaking research into the causes of PTSD, as well as organizations like Every Third Saturday and Hometown Hero Outdoors, which provide veterans with valuable therapy and experiences to help them find purpose and reintegrate into society. Continuing on this theme, we selected 23rd Veteran because their program perfectly complements the great work of ETS and Hometown Hero Outdoors.
We are proud to support 23rd Veteran and excited for our friends and guests to meet Mike and learn about the incredible work they are doing and how you can get involved.
We look forward to seeing you join us for another fantastic event!
2023 Beneficiaries
Every Third Saturday
Every Third Saturday exists to assist veterans in finding new purpose after military service. We are all about pursuing growth and post-traumatic success.
Visit website: Every Third Saturday
Star Tribune Article: Giving Back 'Every Third Saturday'
Hometown Hero Outdoors
Based in Stillwater, Minnesota, Hometown Hero Outdoors is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to facilitating outdoor adventures for actively serving military, military veterans, and licensed law enforcement officers. These adventures include hunting, fishing, backpacking, foraging, camping, snowmobiling, and so much more. Our primary goal is to assist these individuals as they begin healing and building healthy relationships within their communities.
Visit website: Hometown Hero Outdoors
Project Delta
Help a Veteran. Save a Dog.
Project Delta is dedicated to the pairing of veterans with rescue/shelter dogs to create service dog teams to lessen the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), military sexual trauma (MST) and physical disabilities that are the result of active service.
Visit website: Project Delta
2022 Beneficiaries
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Based in Arlington, Virginia, VVMF (the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund) is the nonprofit organization authorized by the U.S. Congress in 1980 to build a national memorial dedicated to all who served with the U.S. armed forces in the Vietnam War. Incorporated on April 27, 1979 by a group of veterans led by Jan C. Scruggs, the organization sought a tangible symbol of recognition from the American people for those who served in the war.
Visit website: VVMF
Hometown Hero Outdoors
Based in Stillwater, Minnesota, Hometown Hero Outdoors is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to facilitating outdoor adventures for actively serving military, military veterans, and licensed law enforcement officers. These adventures include hunting, fishing, backpacking, foraging, camping, snowmobiling, and so much more. Our primary goal is to assist these individuals as they begin healing and building healthy relationships within their communities.
Visit website: Hometown Hero Outdoors
Yellow Ribbon Network
The City of Hugo has joined with the Minnesota National Guard to support military families in Washington County through the creation of the Yellow Ribbon Network. The Yellow Ribbon Network helps connect schools, local units of government, law enforcement, social services, churches, civic and volunteer organizations for the special needs of a military family during a deployment.
Visit website: Yellow Ribbon Network
Every Third Saturday
Every Third Saturday exists to assist veterans in finding new purpose after military service. We are all about pursuing growth and post-traumatic success.
Visit website: Every Third Saturday
Star Tribune Article: Giving Back 'Every Third Saturday'
2021 Beneficiaries
Yellow Ribbon Network
The City of Hugo has joined with the Minnesota National Guard to support military families in Washington County through the creation of the Yellow Ribbon Network. The Yellow Ribbon Network helps connect schools, local units of government, law enforcement, social services, churches, civic and volunteer organizations for the special needs of a military family during a deployment.
Visit website: Yellow Ribbon Network
