June 2025 Newsletter

Sacramento County Collaborative Courts Partnership

Troopathon Board Member Richard Hannaford (center) works side-by-side with Collaborative Courts Coordinators

On May 14, 2025, Troopathon joined forces with the Collaborative Courts of Sacramento County for a powerful Military Appreciation Month Shipping Day at our Sacramento Operation Center. Held during Armed Forces Week, this event honored our troops by shipping over 1,000 care packages to active-duty service members. We assembled additional care packages as well, each fulfilling a specific military family request for support. This remarkable day, filled with community spirit, celebrated an 11-year partnership with the Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) and Driving Under the Influence Treatment Court (DUITC), highlighting the transformative power of service.

The Collaborative Courts, led by the Honorable Judge Brown, played a pivotal role, with probation officers, staff, and court participants—veterans and civilians alike—dedicating hours to pack and ship our military care packages full of essential items. Their commitment enabled Troopathon to send tangible support to troops worldwide, reinforcing our mission to ensure no service member feels forgotten. In a touching highlight, the Courts presented Troopathon with three challenge coins—representing the Veterans Treatment Court, Sacramento County Probation, and the veteran-led Probation Honor Guard—commemorating our enduring partnership. 

“We’re proud to partner with Troopathon, giving our participants a chance to serve those who serve us,” said a Collaborative Courts representative. “This program transforms lives while honoring our troops, and we’re honored to be part of it.”

Since 2014, this partnership has empowered court participants to fulfill community service hours through Troopathon, fostering rehabilitation and pride. A large contingent continues volunteering long after their program ends, a testament to the program’s impact. As Operations Director and a veteran, I’m deeply grateful for the Collaborative Courts’ leadership, especially probation officers like Michele Vela-Payne, Greg Turner, Kevin Cadena and Carol Paris, whose dedication helped start this program that has sent countless care packages to our troops.

Troopathon remains committed to supporting our Armed Forces, and events like this remind us of the strength of community. Thank you, Collaborative Courts, for 11 years of service, honor, and impact.

Praying for Angels to the Rescue

This year’s Troopathon will air exclusively on Newsmax TV. While we hammer out the details, such as dates, times, guest list, we can share Troopathon will air the week of the 4th of July and it is a go, with your help!

Airtime is expensive; therefore, we are seeking generous Angels to help us fund that expense. With the help of some generous Angels we can assure that all the contributions raised during our Troopathon can go directly to our care package program, thus putting the maximum amount of care packages directly into the waiting hands of our troops. 

Since Angel contributions are earmarked to get Troopathon on-air, where we raise more money for care packages, your Angel donation will grow in outreach exponentially. Your dollars will allow us to raise more dollars, making your contribution grow. All donations are tax deductible. Become a Troopathon Angel HERE.

Sadly, our troops are seeing a lack of support, and we need to step up and fill that void and let them know that we the American people still appreciate their sacrifice and all they do to keep us safe. 

This worthy effort is only possible thanks to the generosity of our great Troopathon Angels that enable us to produce, broadcast, and air a program worthy of our troops every year. 

Become and Angel Donor today and help up put Troopathon on the air for 4th of July on Newsmax.

June is PTSD Awareness Month

June is PTSD Awareness Month, a wonderful time to volunteer, support or just let our veterans know we care! June 27th is National PTSD Awareness Day! To discover ways to connect and share, visit the National Center for PTSD website: www.ptsd.va.gov.

At Troopathon, we pride ourselves on helping our active-duty service members through our care package program. Did you know we also participate in a variety of outreach efforts that help our struggling veterans as well? Through our collaborations with California Vet Court and Wounded Warrior Project, we provide opportunities for at risk veterans to be a greater part of our community though volunteer opportunities such as helping in our warehouse and giving back to the local community.

Suicide rates among veterans are higher than the general population, that’s why we believe it is important to help our veterans stay connected to the military community and to raise awareness for important programs such as the VA PTSD program so our veterans will know there is hope and help for them and they are not alone.

Dads, We’ve Got Your Six

U.S. Marine Corps graphic illustration by Lance Cpl. Micah Bower

In military speak, “We’ve got your six” means we have your back. When it comes to our troops, Troopathon and our top-notch supporters definitely strive to make sure we do have our troops six. Chances are good if you are a military dad, you just might be deployed on Father's Day. If not this year, then at some point in your military career you've missed Father’s Day at home. Just one? Probably not, but who's counting after all?

This year will be no different for thousands of our military dads. Yet another holiday serving overseas or standing duty. Yes, it is undoubtably just part of the job. But try on those dusty boots for just one moment. Imagine a first-time father with a little hole in his heart and in his arms. You bet he'd like to be hugging his kids today. Father's Day, yet no chance to hug their own sons, daughters, and fathers.

Playing a game of catch or grilling up burgers and dogs while downing a cold beverage? Not likely. For thousands, the reality of Father's Day might be a video chat while swigging down a canteen of stale water. Sounds more than a little lonely to me.

Whether sons deployed overseas, making their fathers proud, or dads serving to protect their families, join us in prayer for their safety and success. Here's to all our hero dads this Father's Day.

June Photo of the Month

“I just wanted to send a big THANK YOU 🙏”   —A short but heartfelt thanks from our troops who received Troopathon Care packages thanks to generous donors like YOU!!