From the President — August 9, 2026

Every once in a while, something happens that makes me stop and realize just how far The Veterans Club has come.

I am humbled every day by the growing impact our organization is making in this community. I now receive phone calls almost every week from people complimenting The Veterans Club for our involvement in a local effort or asking if we can help a veteran or first responder in need.

Recently, I overheard a non-member describe us to another community member this way:

“The Veterans Club is the most active veterans and first responder group in Kootenai County.”

I admit, I teared up a little when I heard that.

I don’t want that statement to take anything away from the many other outstanding veteran and first responder organizations serving our community. They are doing great work, and I am grateful they are here.

But when I look back at what YOU have accomplished over just the past couple of months, it is difficult not to feel incredibly proud of The Veterans Club.

Our monthly Patriot Dinner Gatherings now have around 50 people breaking bread together. We had 73 people at our summer BBQ. When someone is sick or hospitalized, members show up to visit. When Dan Blanchard’s wife Nancy needed help during her battle with cancer, our community rallied around their family, and The Veterans Club has now collected more than $30,000 to help.

Next week, we’ll be helping the widow of an Army veteran who passed away last November following his battle with Parkinson’s by picking up furniture she needs moved.

Our Patriot Pour meetings are filled with laughter, friendship, and stimulating conversations. Our monthly lunch gatherings bring men and women together with smiles on their faces. At community events, I look around and see Veterans Club polo shirts everywhere.

And perhaps my favorite number of all: more than two dozen new faces have recently joined us at our weekly gatherings.

Those aren’t statistics to me.

Those are people.

Those are new friendships being formed. Those are veterans and first responders finding somewhere they belong.

People Are Beginning to Notice

Something else has been happening that I find remarkable.

People who aren’t members of The Veterans Club are beginning to invest in what we’re doing simply because they believe in our mission.

Jim at Retirement Nationwide contributes $100 every month. Rex Grace from Rex Grace Insurance contributes $50 every month. Neither man is a member of The Veterans Club. They see the value of what we’re doing and feel compelled to help us continue doing it.

Just yesterday, I sat with Rich from United Crown and Pump, who handed me a check for $1,000 toward our endowment account.

During a recent Zoom call with another group, Andy gifted The Veterans Club another $1,000 for our general fund. I’m going to ask our Board of Directors to honor Andy’s contribution in perpetuity by placing his gift into the founding of our endowment account.

Combined with other recent contributions, we are approaching the $5,000 needed to take this important first step.

Everywhere I turn lately, good people seem to be stepping forward to support The Veterans Club and our mission to end veteran and first responder suicide through connection, purpose, and service.

God may have put me on this mission.

But He brought YOU to the fight.

And it is because of YOU that The Veterans Club is making a difference.

Why an Endowment Matters

I’ve talked about our endowment over the past couple of weeks, but I want to explain a little more about why we’re doing this now.

We have some ambitious visions for how The Veterans Club can serve our community in the years ahead.

One example is the ride-share program we’re developing to provide free local transportation to veterans and first responders who can no longer drive. Existing transportation assistance can be helpful for medical appointments, but everyday life doesn’t operate on an appointment schedule.

Someone may need groceries.

Someone may need to get to a Patriot Pour.

Someone may need to visit their spouse.

Someone may simply need a ride across town.

We’re envisioning a program where someone can pick up the phone and request local transportation that can potentially be dispatched within minutes. We are also pursuing grant funding for two new vehicles—hopefully Teslas—to help make that vision possible.

Programs like this require more than a good idea. Foundations and organizations providing substantial grants want to know the nonprofit they’re investing in is thinking about tomorrow, not merely surviving today.

That’s one reason establishing an endowment is so important.

An endowment creates a place where supporters can eventually contribute not only cash, but potentially stocks, bonds, real property, and other larger assets toward the long-term health of The Veterans Club.

Will our endowment pay for a staff and a permanent Veterans Club facility next year?

No.

It will take years to build something that substantial.

But every journey starts with a first step.

This month, we’re taking that step.

If you’d like to help establish the future of The Veterans Club, you can learn more about our endowment and ways to contribute on our Endowment Fund page.

A Community Coming Together

I also want to share something from Dan Blanchard about the tremendous community response to the July 28 fundraiser for his wife, Nancy.

The fundraiser was hosted by the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Foundation and the Kelly Hughes Band to support Nancy as she continues her journey with cancer. Through Dan’s connection with The Veterans Club as leader of our Post Falls chapter, the Club was honored to receive the donations and help facilitate the community’s incredible generosity toward Nancy and her family.

In Dan’s words:

The outpouring of support was truly remarkable. From the strong community turnout, generous donations and sponsorships, to the many local businesses, organizations, volunteers, and individuals who contributed, the evening was a beautiful example of neighbors coming together to support one of their own.

We are especially grateful to the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Foundation, the Kelly Hughes Band, and everyone who gave their time, resources, encouragement, and support.

The Veterans Club was honored to play a small part in making this support possible, and we are grateful that these donations will provide meaningful financial assistance to Nancy and her family during this difficult season.

Thank you for reminding us of the strength, compassion, and generosity that exists within our community.

I couldn’t say it any better.

Patriot Call for Visits: Jeff Needs Us

There is another story I want to share today, but this one comes with a request.

John McSwain recently met a fellow veteran named Jeff Jefferies at Kootenai Health.

Jeff is a Navy combat veteran who worked with K9s during his service. He is from Santa Barbara, California, where he owns his own business. Jeff recently completed cancer treatment in California and, the very next day, set out with his wife on a motorcycle trip around the United States.

Unfortunately, while traveling through our area, Jeff was involved in a serious motorcycle accident and ended up at Kootenai Health.

His wife has returned home, and his son has now left the area. Jeff is expected to remain here for approximately three more weeks, first at Kootenai Health and then at North Idaho Rehabilitation Hospital in Post Falls.

John recently visited Jeff and brought Rocket along.

Jeff misses his dogs terribly.

John said Jeff had a huge smile when Rocket walked into the room.

John spent quite a bit of time visiting with him and finally asked Jeff whether he’d like some more visitors.

Jeff told him the visits would help keep him going.

Folks, this is something we can do.

You don’t need to fix anything. You don’t need to know the perfect thing to say. You don’t need to bring anything.

Pull up a chair.

Talk about the Navy. Talk about motorcycles. Talk about dogs. Talk about business. Tell some stories. Listen to some of his.

Just spend a little time with another veteran who happens to be a long way from home.

Jeff has given permission for us to share his story and his name. He is currently at Kootenai Health, Room 2113-1, and is expected to later transfer to North Idaho Rehabilitation Hospital in Post Falls.

Before visiting, please check with The Veterans Club for Jeff’s current location since he may be transferred during the coming days.

When you walk through his door, you really only need to say:

“Hi Jeff. I’m with The Veterans Club. I heard you could use some company.”

We’ll take it from there.

We’re Building a Better Veterans Club

Speaking of our website, we’ve also been working hard behind the scenes for the past three months to make The Veterans Club easier to navigate and our programs easier to discover.

Several pages have been completely redesigned. We’ve installed a new credit-card processing system that’s working great. Our weekly email newsletter has taken a huge leap forward, and we’ve made significant improvements to our online calendar so members can more easily see what’s happening.

Those things aren’t nearly as exciting as a BBQ with 73 people or walking into a hospital room to visit another veteran.

But they matter.

Because as The Veterans Club grows, we need the infrastructure to make sure people can find us, communicate with us, support us, and—most importantly—find each other.

There are so many things happening at The Veterans Club right now that sometimes even I have trouble keeping track of them all.

But I never want us to lose sight of what this organization is really about.

It isn’t the meetings.

It isn’t the dinners.

It isn’t the BBQs, golf outings, websites, grants, cars, endowment accounts, or even the money we raise.

It’s the people.

The greatest benefit of belonging to The Veterans Club is the lifelong friendships we’re building along the way.

A new person walks into Patriot Pour not knowing anyone.

Someone moves over and makes room at the table.

A conversation begins.

The next week, that person comes back.

Before long, somebody notices when they don’t.

That’s The Veterans Club.

Connection. Purpose. Service.

And every single one of you is helping make it happen.

Thank you for believing in this mission. Thank you for showing up. Thank you for welcoming the new face at the table. Thank you for helping when the phone rings.

And most of all, thank you for taking care of one another.

Ed Bejarana
President & Founder
The Veterans Club