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Gone Surfin’ – Andrew & Jessica Hoppe

Over the course of Andrew and Jessica Hoppe’s 13-year marriage, the couple has endured a demanding, fast-paced Special Operations Forces’ lifestyle that’s included numerous transfers and frequent separations due to […]

Finding Purpose In The Pause – Katie Calvillo

When Katie Calvillo of Florida set off for an Operation Healing Forces Spouse’s Retreat in Georgetown, SC, she was apprehensive. While she’d participated in a couples retreat with her husband […]

Hanging Loose – Alex & Jenny Holt

Alex Holt of Washington wasn’t thinking about himself when he heard about the Operation Healing Forces Couples Retreats. As a Battalion Command Sergeant Major in the Army’s Special Forces, he […]

Alex Valdes – Donor Spotlight

OHF Donor

Sharing her time and expertise to help Special Operations Forces couples plan for retirement isone way Alex Valdes gives back to the military community. “Everybody has their different specialities. I […]

Time Well Spent – Brendan and Wendy DeLigio

Brendan and Wendy DeLigio

As an E-9 Pararescueman in the U.S. Air Force, Brendan DeLigio of Pinehurst, North Carolina is a true frequent flyer. But while his 23-year Special Operations career requires regular travel, […]

Home Front – The Vanderpool Family

For Josh Vanderpool, a critical skills operator with the United States Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC), 2021 has been full of surprises. In March, he returned from a six […]

Building Bonds – Charles and Christy Wentzell

Chuck Wentzell, a longtime Special Operator with the Army, never expected to meet his spouse during a deployment. After joining the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Chuck deployed five times […]

15 years of Creating Bonds That Cure

For 15 years, Operation Healing Forces has stood beside Special Operations service members, veterans, and their families across every branch of the SOF community. Through therapeutic retreats, immediate needs assistance, wellness programming, transition support, and more, OHF strengthens the mental, physical, emotional, and fiscal wellness that sustain the force of America’s Tip of the Spear.

Now, you can be part of what comes next.

Commit to $15 a month and help provide steady, reliable support for the families behind the mission.

Become a Monthly Donor

Give By Check

If you’d prefer to mail a check, please make payable to: Operation Healing Forces Mail to: Operation Healing Forces 5100 W. Kennedy Blvd. Ste. 100, Tampa, FL 33609 Please be sure to include a return address and your e-mail, so we can send a note of thanks, add you to our Newsletter distribution list, and let you know our tax identification number for cash contributions are tax deductible.

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Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) Giving

Supporting Operation Healing Forces through your Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) is a simple, flexible, and tax-efficient way to make a lasting difference in the lives of wounded, ill, and injured Special Operations Forces and their families.
Your DAF contribution directly fuels our therapeutic couples retreats, caregiver retreats, and Immediate Needs Program, helping families find healing, stability, and renewed strength together.
How to Give Through Your DAF
You can recommend a grant to Operation Healing Forces through your donor-advised fund by providing your fund administrator with the following information:

Legal Name: Operation Healing Forces
EIN: 45-3798803
Mailing Address: 5100 W Kennedy Blvd, Suite 100, Tampa, FL 33609
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (813) 480-6078

Please specify if your grant is unrestricted or if you’d like it directed to a particular program such as our retreats, caregiver support, or immediate needs program.

Quick Links to Popular DAF Providers
If your fund is held with one of these major sponsors, you can recommend a gift directly online:

Fidelity Charitable 
Schwab Charitable 
BNY Mellon Charitable Gift Fund

Find your local community foundation here: https://cof.org/page/community-foundation-locator

Why Your DAF Gift Matters

When you give through your donor-advised fund, you:

  • Simplify your charitable giving while making a powerful impact
  • Provide immediate and ongoing support for Special Operations families in need
  • Ensure that 100% of your gift goes directly to programs, thanks to our Board of Directors’ commitment to covering all administrative and fundraising expenses
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Mutually Beneficial

Aside from helping support a worthy cause, stock donations can maximize the value of a gift to both the charitable recipient and the donor. Compared with selling appreciated securities and donating the after-tax net proceeds, a direct gift of stock has the potential to increase the net proceeds to the charity and maximize a donor's tax deduction.

When donating appreciated securities (e.g., stocks, bonds, mutual funds, etc.) with long-term holding periods of one year or more, the amount of the donor's tax deduction is equal to the average value of the high and low price of the securities on the date of the gift. You may generally deduct up to 30% of your Adjusted Gross Income for contributions of appreciated securities held more than one year.

Donating stock to charity is as easy as calling your financial advisor and providing transfer instructions with the following information.

Federal Tax ID #45-3798803
Stock Donation Instructions:
DTC # 0443
Pershing LLC
FFC: Davenport & Company LLC
A/C Name: Operation Healing Forces
A/C #: DA4004713
Reference: Donor Name

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A Home for Healing:

Operation Healing Forces offers transformative therapeutic retreats for SOF couples and caregivers, where meaningful connections are made in homes that provide the perfect setting for creating bonds that cure. A powerful way to give back to those who have sacrificed so much is by donating your home or offering your space to support these life-changing experiences.

OUR NEED:

5-bedroom, 5-bathroom homes at destination locales throughout North America and Worldwide.

TIMING:

Retreats take place over 5 days. We have needs for retreat locations in 2026 and beyond.

LEARN MORE:

Contact Kerry Irvin at [email protected] to learn more about opening your home to our nation's Special Operators and their spouses.

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Why include Operation Healing Forces in your legacy?

Special Operations Forces represent just 3% of America's military, yet they stand as our nation’s Tip of the Spear—shouldering the most demanding missions and greatest sacrifices to protect our freedoms. Honor their service and strength by securing the future well-being of SOF service members, veterans, and their families through a lasting estate gift.

"Operation Healing Forces began in 2011 to aid America’s most elite warriors, Special Operations Forces and their families. This organization has now become my legacy."

Gary L. Markel, OHF Founder and Chairman

"The sacrifices that these young men and women make in terms of death, in terms of suicide, in terms of stress on the family, is unbelievable. This is one of the most compelling initiatives that I have ever been involved in."

Tony Markel, Vice-Chairman

"We want to make sure that our donations are helping the people we want to help, instead of funding administrative expenses. Operation Healing Forces has an amazing model really takes its mission to heart."

Keith Leclerc, OHF Board Member and President Of International Diamond Center

"Operation Healing Forces is one of the few charities I’m aware of where all of the administrative costs are funded by the founders. That’s phenomenal."

Bob Mizell, OHF Board Member And President Of International Diamond Center
Considering leaving part of your estate to OHF?
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Transition Grant Program

Helping SOF Families Prepare for What’s Next

Operation Healing Forces provides transition and workforce development support to help Special Operations Forces (SOF) service members, veterans, spouses, and caregivers successfully navigate the shift from military to civilian life. Through personalized assistance, career-focused resources, and Transition Grants, OHF helps reduce financial stress and barriers to employment while strengthening long-term family stability and self-sufficiency. Transition support may include career guidance, workforce development assistance, certification and training support, relocation assistance, and other employment-related needs connected to a family’s transition journey.

What the Grant Supports

Transition Grants are designed to fund:

  • Job certifications, licensing, or workforce training programs
  • Tools, equipment, technology, or uniforms required for civilian employment
  • Career transition assistance and employment readiness support
  • Spouse education, certification, or training connected to family stability and workforce development
  • Relocation expenses tied to confirmed employment opportunities
  • Other transition-related needs that support long-term financial resilience and successful reintegration into civilian life
Eligibility
  • SOF members who are separating or retiring from active duty
  • Family members, if the request supports the household’s overall transition
  • Applicants must provide separation or retirement orders and documentation to support the request
Typical Grant Amounts

Awards generally range from $500 to $3,000, depending on the request and provided documentation.

Required Documentation
  • DD214 or official separation/retirement orders (if applicable)
  • Invoice, quote, or estimate for the requested item or service
  • A clear explanation of how the request supports your transition

Please note: This grant does not cover medical or mental health expenses. For wellness-related needs, visit our Immediate Needs Program.

Examples of Strong Explanations

“This certification will help me meet job qualifications in cybersecurity and increase my competitiveness for employment after service.”

“These tools are required for me to start work as a mechanic and are not provided by the employer.”

“My spouse’s medical billing course will enable her to work remotely and provide income during my shift from military to civilian life.”

“Relocating for a confirmed job offer ensures I can begin work immediately after separation.”

Timeline

Most requests are reviewed within 7–10 business days.

Need Help?

Contact:
Phillip Fong
SOAR Program Manager
[email protected]