Nonprofit helps Utah veterans form friendships, find healing
WOODS CROSS, Utah (KUTV) — Continue Mission is a nonprofit that gives veterans and their families a little extra support.
All year round, they get veterans together for different kinds of activities at no cost to them or their support members.
"We do pickleball, bowling, skiing, cycling, paddle boarding, just any kind of outdoor adventure you can think of," said Melissa Hansen, executive director of Continue Mission.
Hansen says these activities--and especially the friendships made between the veterans--help them heal.
"We serve veterans that have physical, mental, and emotional injuries from their time in service," Hansen said.
Hansen's husband, Josh, is a veteran who was injured in Iraq.
"It took years for him to slowly recover and find his path to healing again," said Hansen.
They started Continue Mission so they could share with others what helped him.
Like Garrett McTear who was also hurt in Iraq.
"Near the end of my second deployment I was wounded in an ambush," said McTear.
He says the Hansens helped him meet other veterans when he was struggling mentally.
"I'm doing really well," he said. "I love coming out with Continue Mission and doing stuff with these guys."
In just the past year, Continue Mission has hosted 150 event and served 2500 participants.
"We just love the friendships that are made," Hansen said.
Mountain America Credit Union donated $500 so Continue Mission can keep giving back to veterans and their families.
To learn more or donate, visit the Continue Mission website.
