VETERANS WITHOUT ORDERS

Big News This Giving Tuesday We’re honored to announce that Veterans Without Orders has received the Platinum Transparency 2024 Seal from Candid, the highest level of recognition for nonprofits! This milestone reflects our unwavering commitment to accountability, transparency, and creating sustainable, meaningful change alongside communities around the globe. 🌍 Today, you can be part of this mission. For just $60, join us as a Project Partner and choose a 2025 mission—Guatemala, Malawi (in partnership with Freshwater Project International and KC Current MVP Temwa Chawinga), or disaster response. Together, we empower veterans and first responders to continue serving where they’re needed most. Visit our link: https://lnkd.in/gEbfJHjH to join the mission and make a lasting difference this Giving Tuesday. #GivingTuesday #PlatinumTransparency #SponsorAProject #ServeOutsideTheUniform #CleanWater #BeTheChange #VWO

What a night! Full event recap with more professional photos and video to come! We are so grateful for the incredible support and participation at our Moving Forward fundraiser in Kansas City this week! A huge thank you to our amazing partner, Freshwater Project International, and their brand ambassador, KC Current Forward and MVP Temwa Chawinga—together this event was a night to remember! A special thanks to Heart to Heart International for their partnership, our incredible emcee Jillian Carroll, and to the talented KU African Drum Ensemble for an incredible performance. The evening was brought to life by the unforgettable performances of Malawian musician Faith Mussa, UN Ambassador AY Young and Andrew James—all truly inspiring! Finally, a heartfelt thank you to the staff at CPKC Stadium for their outstanding support in hosting this meaningful event. This mission in Malawi will honor the legacy of SSG Matt Smolinski, and we can’t wait to share a full event recap with professional photos and video highlights soon. Stay tuned! #VWO #FreshwaterProjectInternational #MovingForwardFundraiser #KCEvents #SSGMattSmolinskiProject

So honored to emcee the Temwa x Freshwater Fundraiser at CPKC Stadium highlighting the work Temwa Chawinga is doing for her country of Malawi. To have the Freshwater Project International VETERANS WITHOUT ORDERS and representatives of the Malawian Embassy 🇲🇼 at CPKC stadium to celebrate Temwa was an incredible experience! Thank you so much Heidi Rickels and team for having me! #teMVP #TC6

What a night! Pro photos coming soon with full post! Thank you Temwa Chawinga, KC Current, Jillian Carroll, AY Young, Faith Mussa, Malawian Embassy, Heart to Heart International, VETERANS WITHOUT ORDERS and KU African Drum Ensemble for an unforgettable evening of impact for Freshwater Project International Zikomo!! Susan Anderson Leonard, Ph.D. Amanda Edmonds and baby Haven John Nonnemaker Megan Harding Emily Thurman Heather Lee, MBA Dr. Priyanka Dogra Patkar Dani Welniak #MovingForward #KCBaby #MadziNdiMoyo #WaterisLife

This Veterans Day, I want to spotlight an organization making a difference worldwide: VETERANS WITHOUT ORDERS. Founded by veterans, this nonprofit is working to tackle global water access issues, one community at a time. I just recently learned about this organization but am in awe at the work they do. Their mission is simple yet profound—empower veterans to use their skills, leadership, and determination to bring clean water to areas in need. Veterans Without Orders trains and deploys small teams of veterans to implement sustainable water and sanitation solutions, addressing one of the most essential human needs. Beyond their impact on communities, this work offers veterans a new purpose and a meaningful way to continue serving, making a lasting impact across borders and beyond military service. It’s inspiring to see these individuals transform their experiences into actions that better the world. To all the veterans who give so selflessly, thank you for your service both here and abroad. If you’re interested in learning more or supporting their work, check out Veterans Without Orders — you are able to donate right on their website to help fund one of their important missions.

Thank you Project Wet for your partnership and support!

Today, we honor all veterans who have dedicated themselves to serving a purpose beyond themselves. At Veterans Without Orders, veterans remain at the heart of our mission, bringing clean water and health to communities in need worldwide. In honor of our veteran team members, we’re sharing why they continue to serve even outside their uniform. Their reasons are as diverse as their backgrounds—rooted in resilience, a sense of duty, and a commitment to make a lasting impact. Swipe through to hear why our veterans choose to keep serving. Thank you to all veterans for your courage, strength, and commitment to serving a mission greater than yourself. #VeteransDay #WhyWeContinuetoServe #VeteransWithoutOrders #CleanWater

Imagine being 80 years old, isolated in the mountains, with no way out and no clean water. This is the reality for many in North Carolina, where families are still waiting for support over a month after Hurricane Helene devastated communities. In some of these hidden areas, FEMA hasn’t arrived, leaving locals to rely on each other for survival, resilience, and hope. Veterans Without Orders is back on the ground, distributing Sawyer water filters to bring safe drinking water to those who need it most. Alongside us are community heroes like Curt and Shawna, who drove up from South Carolina with their truck and ATV to reach 23 families completely cut off by washed-out roads. For weeks, these isolated families are relying on Curt and Shawna to check on them and to haul essential supplies deep into the mountains reaching  elderly residents, families living in makeshift shelters and 12x12 canning sheds, and those still without power. One man was even kayaking daily to deliver essentials to his wife until Curt and Shawna arrived. In Yancey and Mitchell counties, a local pastor and his wife shared heartbreaking stories of families left devastated—homes destroyed, entire areas still without power, and people hesitant to leave their properties to protect what little remains. Kelly, another inspiring local, is working with several organizations to provide winterized ‘hot tents’ for families who lost everything. These tents allow families to stay on their own property, together and safe, through the cold months. She has already housed 12 families—and will be distributing our filters to each of them, but with hundreds more still in need, resources are running low. In Burnsville’s Browns Creek, community leader Ethel has turned sheds and tents into a relief center, serving over 150 people each day with meals, warm clothes, and blankets. Yet, with no timeline for water restoration, clean water remains a pressing need. We’re proud to stand with heroes like Curt, Shawna, Kelly, and Ethel to provide up to 4.5 million gallons of clean water through Sawyer filters. #HurricaneHelene #VWO #CleanWaterForAll

Join us in Kansas City for an inspiring and exclusive fundraiser with our partners Freshwater Project International featuring KC Current forward and Malawian soccer sensation Temwa Chawinga, in support of our WASH in Schools Malawi Campaign! PURCHASE TICKETS: https://tr.ee/Nfob7GBS_0 Event Highlights: Soccer-Themed Opening Ceremony: Watch a welcome video from Temwa Chawinga, followed by a ceremonial kickoff to start the event. Interactive Soccer Activities: Test your skills with Mini Soccer Goal Challenges and Interactive Soccer Trivia Contests! Inspirational Speakers: Hear from Heidi Rickels from Freshwater Project International, alongside Temwa Chawinga herself. Silent Auction: Bid on exclusive soccer memorabilia, local experiences, and a special Malawi experience! Multimedia Presentation: Be inspired by impact videos highlighting the life-changing importance of WASH programs and how empowering girls in Malawi makes a difference. Funds raised will support clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) access for schools in Malawi, empowering youth and girls with better health and brighter futures. Date: November 25, 2024 Location: CPKC Stadium - Pitch Club Time: 6:30 - 9:00 PM Get your tickets now and be part of this incredible night for soccer, community, and meaningful change. Your presence will help transform lives in Malawi! PURCHASE TICKETS: https://tr.ee/Nfob7GBS_0 #movingforward #VWO #FreshwaterProjectInternational #TemwaChawinga #WASHinSchools #EmpoweringMalawi #KCCurrent #SoccerForGood #CleanWaterForAll #kcbaby #kcevents #veterans #sawyerfilters #firstresponders

🌍 Partnership Announcement: Freshwater Project International & Veterans Without Orders We are proud to support Freshwater Project International International as they launch their WASH in Schools Campaign in Malawi, led by their brand ambassador, Malawian soccer star and KC Current forward Temwa Chawinga. 🇲🇼⚽ Through this campaign, Freshwater Project International is providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) solutions to schools across Malawi. Temwa’s passion for creating change off the field is inspiring, and we are honored to stand alongside this impactful initiative. At Veterans Without Orders, we are dedicated to serving communities and honoring the legacy of our nation’s fallen servicemembers. As part of our tradition, this mission will honor US Army SSG Matthew Smolinski, whose sacrifice continues to inspire our work in bringing clean water to those in need. Join us in supporting this important campaign. Together, we can make a lasting impact by providing access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene. #Partnership #WASHinSchools #CleanWater #VWO #TemwaChawinga #FreshwaterProjectInternational #Malawi #WASH #Sawyerfilters