Utah nonprofit supports veterans, first responders 365 days a year
SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Honor 365, a Utah nonprofit, aims to show support for veterans and first responders--and their families--all year long.
"We want to let them know how much we appreciate what they do 365 days a year," said Ninzel Rasmuson, who founded the group in 2017.
Rasmuson is a veteran and has sons in law enforcement, so this group is like family to her.
"It's a very close group of people that we care about," she said.
Honor 365 focuses on education, employment, health care, housing and service for both these groups, but especially focuses on mental health needs.
"We know the trauma that our veterans and responders go through and the things that they witness," Rasmuson said.
Honor 365 does case management to help connect people to services they need.
The nonprofit also holds several events throughout the year to support veterans and first responders.
This year, they helped 115 families with Thanksgiving dinner for their "Operation Thanksgiving Meals" effort.
"We've got turkey and canned goods and rolls and juice and pies," explained Rasmuson.
Honor 365 partnered with organizations like Tabitha's Way, South Salt Lake Police Department, The Other Side Academy, and the South Salt Lake Honorary Colonels to provide the meals.
"I'm just deeply grateful for them," said officer Ryan Alvarez with the South Salt Lake Police Department.
Alvarez says things like "Operation Thanksgiving Meals" show first responders like him that the community has their back.
"Just knowing that somebody out there cares about you, it really does help you feel love," he said.
Honor 365 also helps with humanitarian efforts, and sent emergency supplies to Tonga earlier this year after a volcano eruption and tsunami.
They rely on donations to help provide all of this help, so Mountain America Credit Union donated $500 to Honor 365.
You can help, too.
Honor 365 has "Operation Christmas" coming up where they're helping veterans and first responders have a good holiday.
And on December 17th, they will participate in a Wreaths Across America event in Taylorsville where they will lay wreaths at the grave sites of 255 veterans.
To help with either of those events or to make a donation, visit the Honor 365 website.
