Operation Joy in Action: Adopt a Hero 2025 Brings Hope, Dignity, and Record-Breaking Impact

At the 3rd & Goal Foundation, our mission is simple but powerful: to make a difference in the lives of veterans in need. In 2025, our Adopt a Hero program, a signature initiative within our Operation Joy pillar, brought that mission to life in an extraordinary way.

This year’s Adopt a Hero outreach was one of the most impactful efforts in our organization’s history reaching more veterans and families than ever before and reminding them that they are seen, valued, and cared for.

For Adopt a Hero our focus remains on supporting homeless or formerly homeless veterans who are now housed in Central Ohio, while also extending care to veterans currently experiencing homelessness and those facing urgent hardship. When these veterans have young children, our outreach intentionally supports the entire family.

Through Adopt a Hero 2025, we were honored to serve:

• 121 local veterans who were formerly homeless and are now housed

• 30 veterans currently residing in a local homeless shelter

• 65 veterans in need who received essential care packages

• 101 children with the support of toys, clothing, hygiene products, and household essentials

• 55 children of veterans statewide who received toys

• Restocked hygiene products and clothing closets at local veteran shelters

Each number represents a life touched and a reminder that even during difficult seasons, no veteran has to face hardship alone.

Preserving Dignity, Creating Joy

Adopt a Hero is about far more than giving gifts. It is about restoring dignity and empowering veterans during a time of need. All gifts for children are intentionally provided unwrapped, along with wrapping paper and supplies, so parents can give the gifts themselves. This allows veteran parents to experience the pride and joy of providing for their children something many feared they would not be able to do.

As social workers consistently remind us, if it were not for this outreach, many of these individuals would have nothing for the holidays.

More Than the Holidays, It’s Hope

While Adopt a Hero takes place during the holiday season, its impact lasts far beyond it. For veterans navigating transition, trauma, or financial hardship, a simple act of kindness can be the encouragement they need to keep going. This program sends a powerful message: you are not forgotten, your service mattered, and your community stands with you.

Grateful for a Community That Made It Possible

This record-breaking impact would not have been possible without the generosity of our incredible supporters. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped bring Adopt a Hero to life.

Financial Supporters

Your generosity ensured we could meet urgent needs and expand our reach to more veterans and families than ever before.

• White Castle

• Bowes Family

• Dr. Terrence Philbin

• Buckeye Relief

  
  

Program & Event Sponsors

These partners helped remove logistical barriers and ensured a seamless, dignified outreach experience.

• Transportation Sponsor: TrashCab

• Toy Sponsor: LAZ Parking

• Meal Sponsor: BTTS

• Wrapping Sponsor: BTTS

Physical Donation Partners

From toys to household essentials, your donations directly filled the hands and homes of veterans and their children.

• BTTS

• Deer Run Elementary

• Liberty Middle School

• Rocky Brands

• Seeds of Caring

• Strada Motorwerks

• Veterans Memorial Museum

  
  

Family Adopters

By “adopting” veterans and their families, you brought personalized care, dignity, and joy during a critical time of need.

• BTTS – 11 families

• The Cox Family – 2 families

• The Laivins Family

• The Lipp Family

• The Von Derau Family

  
  

Volunteers

Your time, energy, and compassion turned generosity into action and made this outreach possible.

• Bank of America

• Bowes Family

• BTTS

• Crump Family

• Laura Chapman

• Morris Family

• Notre Dame Club of Columbus

• Ohio State Golf Team

• Quinn Family

• Utrup Family

• Vicki Thompson

  
  

Amazon Wishlist Supporters

Your quick response and generosity ensured no veteran or child was overlooked.

Top Wishlist Purchasers:

• Archer Family

• Bruce and Christie Feldman

• Kelly Scott

• Laura Chapman

• Liz Lekarczyk

• Pratt Family

  
  

Moving Forward Together

Adopt a Hero 2025 reaffirmed what’s possible when a community comes together with compassion and purpose. Because of you, veterans felt supported, families experienced joy, and hope was restored.

From all of us at the 3rd & Goal Foundation, thank you for standing with us and for helping make a difference in the lives of veterans in need. Wishing you a joyful holiday season. We look forward to continuing this important work together in 2026.