ORLANDO, Fla. — Military families are close to the heart of this week’s Everyday Hero. John Stafford is a retired marine who understands firsthand many of the challenges military families and their kids face.
Retired U.S. Marine John Stafford and the Orlando Regional Realtor Association are on a mission giving back to military families by way of Operation B.R.A.V.E., an acronym meaning, “backpacks, resources, activities, and veteran empowerment.”
The military family expo just in time to equip students with much-needed school supplies.
“Operation B.R.A.V.E. is really an expansion of something that I’ve been doing on my own for the last couple of years. We were just doing backpacks, specifically for military families. It was an initiative that I started with a couple of friends of mine donating money, and we’re getting backpacks,” Stafford said.
Now, the mission has grown to provide families with resources for veterans, like health and educational workshops.
Val Branch Duncan is a volunteer who works with John Stafford. She champions his efforts.
“He’s amazing, he’s easy to get along with. He is so excited about giving back to the community. He really and truly cares. He’s a person by talking to him, you know he really and surely cares about the community and giving back. That’s a very important value to have,” Duncan said.
Operation B.R.A.V.E. is free for military families. Stafford considers this effort a completed mission. Putting smiles on young people’s faces as families leave with more than what they had before.
“I think, you know, obviously volunteering is about, you know, giving back, right? It’s, it should be something that you’re passionate about,” Stafford said.
Passion that goes a long way, helping those in need.