Meet Ben Ward, a remarkable young man who began his philanthropic journey at just 10 years old when he donated his birthday money to support Wounded Warriors at the Warrior Retreat at Bull Run. What started as a modest $60 contribution has grown into more than $12,000 in donations over nine years through creative fundraising efforts, including bake sales, yard sales, and strategic partnerships with veterans' organizations.

Ben's story reveals the extraordinary impact one young person can have when driven by genuine compassion. After being inspired by Captain Theresa Reer's moving speech at a local fundraising event, Ben found his calling supporting Wounded Warriors and their families. His dedication and persistence quickly made him recognizable in the community – people would often donate without even taking his baked goods, simply because they recognized his commitment to the cause.

The ripple effects of Ben's generosity extend far beyond monetary contributions. His example inspired the creation of the Ben Ward Youth Service Award, recognizing young volunteers who demonstrate exceptional service. One of his targeted donations funded volunteer tracking software that enabled the Warrior Retreat to join the Presidential Volunteer Service Award program, creating recognition opportunities for all volunteers.

Now studying animal science at Virginia Tech with aspirations to work in zoo management and animal care, Ben continues to balance academic pursuits with his commitment to service. When asked what volunteering has taught him, his answer was simple yet profound: "It's taught me empathy."

Ready to make a difference in your community? Follow Ben's advice: "Find something that speaks to you, do it. Get out of the house, do whatever you can." Search online for volunteer opportunities near you – you'll discover countless ways to create positive change, regardless of your age or resources.

Northern Virginia's veteran community has been eagerly watching the construction of the Puller Veterans Care Center, and now we're getting closer to its highly anticipated opening. Mary Tietjen, the center's Director of Admissions, will join us to explain precisely what makes this facility so special and what veterans and their families can expect.

As Virginia's fourth state-run veterans nursing home, the Puller Center represents a significant investment in our aging veteran population. Unlike typical institutional settings, this 128-bed facility features an innovative "neighborhood" design where residents have private rooms but share intimate household spaces with just 15 other veterans. Each household includes its own kitchen, dining area, and community spaces to foster the camaraderie that many veterans miss after leaving service.

Mary walks us through the meticulous process of preparing such a facility, from the physical setup to the complex certification requirements involving the Department of Health, Medicaid, Medicare, and ultimately the VA. While these necessary steps mean the center won't open until sometime later in 2025, the wait promises to be worthwhile. The facility will initially offer short-term and long-term rehabilitation, with plans to incorporate memory care services.

What stands out most is the overwhelming community response. Mary's phone rings constantly with not only veterans and families hoping to secure a spot but also community members eager to volunteer their time and talents. From gardening to reading to musical entertainment, the surrounding community is ready to embrace these veterans and enhance their quality of life.

For those with veteran family members who might benefit from this level of care, Mary explains the waitlist process and how to connect with additional veteran resources through Virginia's robust Department of Veteran Services. With nearly 900,000 veterans in Virginia and approximately 55,000 in Prince William County alone, facilities like the Puller Center are essential to meeting growing care needs.

Do you have a veteran in your family who might benefit from the Puller Veterans Care Center? Contact Mary at (540) 680-5200 or PVCCAdmissions@dvs.virginia.gov to learn more and join the waitlist. Want to volunteer your time and talents? They're collecting information now about when the doors will open!

What if your child's education could follow your military family around the world? For service members facing 7-15 relocations during a career, finding educational stability for their children often feels impossible. Each PCS move brings the stress of uprooting kids from schools, disrupting friendships, and navigating new academic systems – sometimes with devastating effects on children's confidence and performance.

Navy veteran Erika Nance faced this challenge with her two daughters. Her older child experienced the traditional pattern of constant school transitions, while her younger daughter found an alternative path through Sora Schools, an online education platform specifically designed to provide consistency regardless of location. As Military Liaison for Sora, Nance now helps other military families discover this powerful educational option.

Unlike conventional online learning, Sora offers a vibrant, interactive community where students engage in live classes with dedicated teachers and collaborate with peers globally. The project-based curriculum encourages creativity and independent thinking while maintaining academic rigor. Nance's daughter discovered her talent for baking through a humanities project exploring how immigration influences American cuisine – an opportunity that might never have emerged in traditional schooling.

The most remarkable benefit for military families is educational continuity despite geographical changes. As Nance's daughter said, "Mom, it doesn't matter what happens or where we need to go, because I can just take Sora with me." This stability eliminates one significant stressor from military life. Students maintain relationships with the same teachers and classmates year after year, building confidence rather than repeatedly starting over. Regional meetups and educational field trips further strengthen this global community of learners.

For military families weighing educational options, Sora Schools provides a tier-based tuition grant program based on total annual income, making private education accessible across all pay grades. The school's founder, Garrett Smiley, draws on his own experience as a military child to create an environment where these unique students can thrive academically and socially despite frequent relocations.

Visit soraschools.com to learn how your military child can maintain educational stability regardless of where your service takes your family.