Santa Boots 2022 Impact Report
2022 has presented a number of new and difficult challenges for all of us, especially our nation’s veterans and military families. As we prepared for our Santa Boots fulfillment week in Grapevine,Texas the first week of December, we spent time – as we always do – reflecting on the stories of the service members and families being served through our program. For some reason, this year the stories and experiences just felt different.
They felt heavier. Harder. Heartbreaking. Some families were navigating the loss of children or a spouse this year, had recently received a cancer diagnosis or got news of a terminal illness. Some were struggling financially due to lost income or transitioning out of the Armed Forces. Many other active duty and veteran families were impacted by house fires, Hurricane Ian or other catastrophic events throughout the year.
Their stories and struggles made it more important than ever to us to let the families and the servicemember know that they matter, their life has value and that their service to our country matters to so many Americans nationwide.
With the help of our incredible sponsors, donors and volunteers, we were able to make the holidays brighter, relieving stress and financial burden, for more people this year than ever before – 157 deserving families full of 719 smiling faces in 34 states across the country.
Here are just a few of the messages we’ve received on how Boot Campaign’s Santa Boots program has impacted their family this holiday season:
“When you are dealing with a terminal illness that requires 24/7 care and attention, your world may become small but the grace of others becomes big! Even more, when your illness is related to your service, you want to know that in the end it mattered. The gifts we received from Boot Campaign’s generous team and donors, reminded us of just that. Thank you.”
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“I recently lost my Army veteran wife to a battle of cancer and it has been extremely sad & depressing not having her around. As we prepared for the Christmas holiday, I was fearful of how hard it would be without her. Then your gifts arrived. It brightened what was going to be a sad and difficult day and I can’t thank you enough.”
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“Thank you for thinking of our family this year. The last 3 months since my husband was medevacked have been a bit crazy. His accident was a month before the kids’ birthday season began and unfortunately we could not celebrate them the way we always try to. We have a long road ahead of us. These gifts of love serve as a huge blessing for us. Our kids feel seen, they have been so stoic through all of this, so patient, and resilient. You guys took your time to pick and wrap gifts for us, 5 humans you have never met and did it all with so much love. The kids are so surprised and grateful, this is so much more than we could have asked for.”
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“This year has really brought so much financial stress for everyone and it didn’t exclude us and we really only have money for bills and necessities. My husband (service member) puts on the proudest face knowing he’s drowning inside. Seeing him tear up today after seeing all the handwork y’all put together made this year special. There’s never going to be enough words to say we are blessed. Thank you Boot Campaign.”
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“Before today my husband and I weren’t sure if we were going to have a traditional Christmas with gifts and we prepared our kids that there would be limited presents under the tree. I can’t even tell you how much this means to our family. My husband and I have been crying tears of joy since the moment our doorbell rang and we opened the door to this beautiful surprise. Thank you so much for being our Christmas Miracle. We will be forever grateful!”
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To all those who supported our Santa Boots program, thank you!
Title Sponsor: The Jordan Spieth Family Foundation
Sponsors: Veterans United Foundation, R.E. Cupp Construction, Movement Mortgage, Bob Moore Construction and NXG Services
Venue Sponsor: Grit Productions and Foster & Fathom
Program Partners: Armed Services YMCA, Operation Homefront, Fisher House Foundation and USSOCOM Care Coalition
In-Kind Sponsors: Allegiance Flag Supply, Amazon, Black Rifle Coffee Company, Cavender’s, CubeSmart Self Storage, The Lumistella Company, JB Mechanical, Inc., Soledier Socks and Warson Brands.
And many thanks to the more than 350 volunteers who helped us shop, wrap and ship each individual gift! The volunteer effort includes patriots from all over the U.S. who helped us ensure veterans know that their service, their sacrifice and their lives matter.
