Hats Off For Veterans (HOFV) is a small 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Kyle, Texas, founded by Lisa Adams. It's run entirely by volunteers, with no paid staff.

HOFV helps Texas veterans and their families in three ways. It runs free PTSD support groups, for veterans and for the people who love them. It gives scholarships and grants to veterans going back to school or building a career. And it brings the community together, with a family BBQ and resource fair in Kyle every year.

This fundraiser keeps the operations behind all of it running: the Zoom account, the phone line, the website and the tools volunteers use every day.

PTSD support for Veterans and loved ones

About 7 in every 100 veterans will have PTSD at some point in their lives. HOFV makes sure they don't face it alone.

Courage to Connect: PTSD. On the first Monday of every month at 7 p.m. Central, HOFV opens a Zoom room for veterans living with PTSD. No sign-up. Nothing is recorded. You can use your first name, stay anonymous or just listen. It's free and open to veterans of every age, era, branch and rank, anywhere in the world. HOFV volunteers and veteran peers host it. It's peer support, not treatment: a place to talk about what's hard, trade coping strategies and sit with people who understand.

PTSD By Proxy. PTSD affects the whole household. This free group is for spouses, parents, children, caregivers and anyone living with or caring for someone with PTSD. That includes first responders and their families, and people grieving a loved one lost to suicide. Third Wednesday of each month, 10 a.m. Central, on Zoom.

To learn more about HOFV's PTSD Resources visit there webpage on details to join: https://ohofv.org/mental-health-resources

Help finding help. HOFV's website points veterans and families to the Veterans Crisis Line, military sexual trauma coordinators, county veteran service officers, VA mental health care and help for homeless veterans, so nobody has to search alone.

In December 2024, a $5,000 technology grant from Pedernales Electric Cooperative upgraded the equipment behind these groups. HOFV says it helped them reach their five-year goal for mental health services in under two years.

Education and careers

Higher Education Scholarships for veterans earning their first college degree, to cover what the GI Bill doesn't. In 2026 HOFV awarded two $2,000 scholarships, to two Navy veterans.

Professional Development Grants of up to $500 for certification and licensing exams, courses and conferences. Veterans have used them to prepare for the Texas bar exam, earn security officer and insurance adjuster licenses, and gain financial advising credentials. Some used them to help other veterans heal. One became a certified trauma recovery coach. Another is working toward social work licensure to serve military families as an Army social worker.

The MSG Jimmie Quintero Scholarship for Texas high school seniors who have committed to enlist. Retired Army Master Sergeant Jimmie Quintero and his wife, Shin, fund it every year.

Free career help. Resume writing, interview coaching and career advice from professionals who volunteer their time.

Community and family

The Operation: Hats Off For Veterans Family BBQ and Resource Fair in Kyle, with resource vendors, live music and BBQ. Veterans get in free. The 22nd one is Sunday, April 18, 2027.

VA Dogs of Texas. HOFV partners with this group, which gives trained rescue dogs to disabled Texas veterans.

Punk Brats. A free monthly podcast for military kids and families. Military brats have lived the military life too. Watch on YouTube.

Twenty years and counting

HOFV began in 2005 as Hats Off For Hospice, granting end-of-life wishes for hospice patients. In 2023 it became Hats Off For Veterans, a 501(c)(3). In 2024 founder Lisa Adams received the Governor's Yellow Rose of Texas Award. In 2025 the Texas House of Representatives honored HOFV's 20th annual gala.

What this fundraiser pays for

Everything above runs on volunteers and on five bills that come due every month:

Zoom. The account that hosts both PTSD groups.

Phone line. Where a veteran calls and reaches a real person.

Website. Where veterans find the programs and apply for scholarships and grants.

Email and communications. How meeting times and application deadlines reach people.

Software and admin tools. How a team of volunteers keeps all of it organized.

This fundraiser supports every program above. In the words of HOFV founder Lisa Adams, it's about "keeping HOFV mission-ready: supporting the operations behind the mission."

Who we are

We're students at Texas State University in San Marcos. We chose HOFV because we support what they do and have a fellow veteran on the team support the campaign as well. Texas has more veterans than any other state, about 1.5 million, and groups like HOFV are often where they find help close to home.

Our goal: $1,000 from at least 40 people by November 19. The number of people matters as much as the total, so a $10 gift counts toward the 40 just as much as a big one. Veterans Day, November 11, falls right in the middle.

How you can help

1. Give what you can. Gifts here are tax-deductible and reach HOFV through PayPal Giving Fund.

2. Share this page with one person who cares about veterans.

3. Know a veteran or a family living with PTSD? Send them to https://ohofv.org/mental-health-resources. Both groups are free.

If you or a veteran you know is in crisis right now, call the Veterans Crisis Line: dial 988, then press 1, or text 838255. Help is there 24 hours a day.

Thank you for your support.