12/31/2025
Jeeps4Vets – 2025: A Year of Impact
As we reflect on 2025, it’s humbling to realize just how many lives we were able to touch. Lives of veterans in need. Lives of families struggling quietly. Lives of people who sometimes feel unseen or unheard.
So how did we do it?
Together.
This year, Jeeps4vets proudly supported Veterans Path to Hope through Remember the 22 a Day in May, the Honoring Our Veterans Jeep Run, and by adopting families in need for Christmas. We partnered with Chain of Lakes Patriots for the Boats, Jeeps, Brews & Bad A*z Views event at Captain’s Quarters in Antioch. We worked with K-9s for Veterans to host Help Us Help a Vet Get a Pet. And we continued our annual Jeeps’n’Treats at Austin’s in Libertyville.
Because of all of you, there are countless silent “thank yous” spoken throughout the year—gratitude we may never hear, but gratitude that exists because someone showed up.
During the 2025 Remember the 22 a Day in May, we didn’t just raise over $10,000—we created a safe space for veterans to share their stories. One veteran, in particular, stood before the entire crowd and bravely opened up about a very dark chapter of her life. I truly believe that moment helped her heal—and it deeply touched everyone present. Sometimes what feels small to us can mean everything to someone else.
At Boats, Jeeps, Brews & Bad A*z Views, we raised funds for five different veteran organizations. A huge thank you to Mickie for starting such an incredible event.
At Help Us Help a Vet Get a Pet, we raised enough money to help provide a service dog to a veteran who truly needed one—changing a life in a way words can’t describe.
At Jeeps’n’Treats, we dressed up our Jeeps and showed up for local kids. This event will always be one of my favorites. It’s out of the ordinary, and the smiles on the children’s faces make it all worth it.
During the Honoring Our Veterans Jeep Run, we raised over $4,000 for veterans in need.
And for the families we adopted for Christmas—well, we didn’t just help.
We made their Christmas.
None of this would be possible without the incredible people and businesses who stepped up and stood beside us:
The Jeeps4Vets Admin Team. I know we could not do it without you. Joey Korczak, Mandy Marolt, Joseph Riel, Kim Rychlee Szlak
Liberty Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram (Jeep) of Libertyville — Thank you to Joe Massarelli , Joey Massarelli and the entire team for always opening your doors and supporting our mission.
Trulli Audio — Thank you for donating your brand-new wireless speakers for raffle prizes at nearly every event.
Grayslake Police Department — Thank you for providing a safe es**rt into downtown Grayslake.
The Village of Grayslake — Thank you for allowing us to take over your downtown to spread awareness of the 22 a day.
Captains Quarters — Larry and your team are incredible. Thank you for hosting Boats, Jeeps, Brews & Bad A*z Views.
The Sand Bar on Lake Marie — Thank you for hosting Help Us Help a Vet Get a Pet and for your outstanding team.
Bob Welninski from Sound Wave Entertainment — An amazing DJ who donated his time to keep our 22 a Day event going strong.
95 WIIL Rock (Alpha Media) — Thank you for helping promote our events and donating raffle prizes. Special thanks to Leah Andersen , a fellow Jeeper.
The Vine of Grayslake — Thank you, Mike Michael Pruitt and team, for your continued support and for powering our 22 a Day event.
Polished Salon & Boutique — Thank you, Amy Rathunde-Acker and team, for donating items, time, and your space. Amy, my better half, also works behind the scenes helping make every event possible.
Stephen Narens with Narrens Photography for the amazing photos and the donations.
Austins Saloon in Libertyville for your donations and allowing us to use your establishment to host the JeepsnTreats event.
Thank you to the Lake County Jeep Club, Twisted 7, Misfits, and all the other Jeep organizations who helped promote our events.
And thank you to every sponsor and supporter including:
Chicago White Sox, Attitude Performance, Baja Designs, Mission 22, Conquer Fight Club, Grayslake Rehab, Grayslake Good American Barber, Emil’s of Grayslake, Freedom Forged 4x4, Genesis Point Wellness, The Freeze of Grayslake, Infinite Off Road, LED Glow, MetalCloak, Rocky Talkie, Rugged Radios, Chicago Bears, Grayslake VFW 2245, Midland Radios, Steinjager, Warn Industries—and many more.
If I missed anyone, please know it was not intentional, and I am deeply grateful.
THANK YOU for an incredible year.
Let’s take everything we learned, every connection we made, and every life we touched—and make 2026 an even better year.
From the bottom of my heart,
Thank you. 🇺🇸🚙❤️
