Our Past
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In 2017, the Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) - Fundraising Committee, a tax-exempt 501(c)(19) Veterans' Organization, was founded and formed by Steve Westgreen to ease the financial burden of on-base private organizations (PO) supporting servicemember's throughout JBSA. It was a huge tax put on these POs to contribute funds for JBSA-level events and provide ongoing personal/ professional growth to assigned servicemembers. Our organization, from its inception, has made tremendous strides to erase these financial burdens by raising and providing the funding necessary to make these prestigious events truly memorable.
Our Present
In 2022, we changed our name to SERVE4VETS - JBSAFC17 because "Our Why" is to exist to serve our veterans. Not only are we working to support those servicemembers within the boundaries of the military installation, but also striving to serve our veterans and military families beyond the perimeter. Our vision didn't stop with SERVE4VETS - JBSAFC17, we are also investing into our nation's security by equipping not only parents, but also the youth dependent/lineal descendants of past, present and future members of the United States Armed Forces. Our goal is to start building what we call the "Family Company" because it's the first company where the majority of us first started and it has a huge impact on our communities, workforce and the strength of our Nation.
Our Inspiration
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How did building the Family Company and extending our services to youth come about? While sitting and reading nightly scripture Steve asked his wife, Chasity, "Why do we send our kids to bed hungry while we go to bed full?" Her response, "I always make sure the children eat before bedtime." Then he explained to her that they go to bed each night full of God's word, while their children go to bed without. To drive home the point, he stated, "It's like the both of us sitting at the dinner table with our children, eating a nice healthy meal without offering them anything, and watching them slowly starve to death."
Our Mission
This sparked the creation of Operation's OPEN HEART SERVERY, Y-U-R FREE, and a subordinate Academy to SERVE4VETS - JBSAFC17 that we titled "YOU-THe-ology, The Study of You." Through our operations we relentlessly fight to support and honor our veterans at home and abroad. Under our Academy, in concert with Covered Hearts Ministries, Reel Me~n Menistries, and Healing Together Ministries, we educate and equip youth and adults with biblical-based foundational competencies. These tools are the building blocks of our "Your Future You" model that will help, whether single or a member of the Family Company, avoid pitfalls and stand through the day-to-day challenges of life. What makes us different from everyone else? We are a very dedicated, values-driven organization with an extremely disciplined and obedient mindset to accomplish any mission or task faced. While our brave men and women fight for freedom down range; we battle to protect their families who are left behind here at home from the attacks and destruction of the spiritual adversary. Bottom line, regardless of receiving donations or not, we vow to stand firm behind our American heroes and their families just as they've stood and will continue to stand watch at the forefront to defend every citizen of our great country, its possessions, and its allies.
