As families across America gather around Thanksgiving tables this November, members of the North Colorado Springs Rotary Club are making sure hundreds of military families have something special to be thankful for, too.

For these Rotarians, Thanksgiving is more than a time to count blessings. It is an opportunity to give back to the men and women who serve our country and to the families who sacrifice alongside them.

What began years ago as a project providing groceries and gift cards to military households has grown into one of the club's most significant service commitments, delivering tens of thousands of dollars in assistance, hundreds of holiday meals, and a powerful message of gratitude.

This Thanksgiving, that tradition continues in a big way.

The club and its foundation have approved $15,000 in support for military families in 2026, including $7,500 for the Turkey for Troops program organized by Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center and another $7,500 in gift cards for military families and veterans.

The assistance will be distributed November 20, with the Turkey for Troops program expected to benefit approximately 800 military families in the Colorado Springs area.

It is the latest chapter in a remarkable history of Rotary service.

A Tradition of Giving That Continues to Grow

The club's efforts to support military families began through a partnership with a Rotary club in the Denver area, providing groceries and gift cards to airmen and families at Fort Carson.

By 2019, North Colorado Springs Rotary had taken full responsibility for the project, securing an $8,000 Rotary District Grant to provide Thanksgiving and Christmas meals and gifts to Air Force families experiencing financial hardship.

Working with military First Sergeants, who identified families needing assistance, Rotarians purchased and delivered food and gifts to area installations.

When the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in 2020, the need became even more urgent.

Partnering with Safeway, the club distributed complete Thanksgiving meals, including turkeys and all the trimmings, to more than 240 service members and their families. Every family also received a Walmart gift card, with the club purchasing $5,000 in gift cards to help meet additional household needs.

The giving continued in December 2023, when the club purchased and distributed $13,000 in Walmart gift cards through the U.S. Air Force Academy's 10th Air Base Wing.

A Powerful Partnership Takes Shape

In 2024, North Colorado Springs Rotary found an opportunity to expand its impact by partnering with Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center of Southern Colorado.

The organization's Turkey for Troops program was already helping military families put Thanksgiving dinner on the table. By joining forces, the two organizations could reach even more families.

The club foundation contributed $5,000, with an additional $2,000 donated by a club member, bringing the contribution to $7,000. Rotarians also provided another $5,000 in Albertsons gift cards for military families and veterans.

The results were extraordinary.

With Rotary's support, Mt. Carmel provided Thanksgiving assistance to more than 1,000 active-duty and reserve military families from all five Colorado Springs military installations, distributing 1,200 turkeys.

For North Colorado Springs Rotary Club Foundation President Blake Schwank, himself a veteran, the effort reflected a genuine need within the military community.

"There really are troops in need out there. To be able to provide for them at this time of year so they can provide for their families is really an awesome experience," Schwank told KRDO-TV during its coverage of the 2024 event.

Stepping Up When Families Needed Help Most

The partnership became even more important in 2025, when a federal government shutdown created additional financial uncertainty for military households.

Recognizing the increased need, the club secured another Rotary District Grant to match its $5,000 contribution, generating $10,000 for Turkey for Troops, along with an additional $5,000 in gift cards.

Rotarians did not simply write checks. Members joined Mt. Carmel volunteers to distribute turkeys and supplies, personally helping the families they had worked so hard to support.

The project also attracted local media attention, with coverage by The Gazette and KKTV highlighting the growing needs of military families and the community organizations stepping forward to help.

More Than a Check: Service Above Self in Action

What makes this project especially meaningful is the personal connection many North Colorado Springs Rotarians have to the military.

Several club members are veterans themselves, and supporting military families holds special significance for the entire club.

Colorado Springs is home to a large military community, but military service does not eliminate the financial pressures that affect so many households. The high cost of living and unexpected economic challenges can make the holidays particularly difficult.

North Colorado Springs Rotary has responded with fundraising efforts that include wine tastings, HundredX survey programs, member contributions, and community donations.

Just as importantly, Rotarians show up to help.

Over the years, club members have loaded vehicles, organized supplies, distributed food, and worked alongside community partners to get assistance directly into the hands of military families.

The effort has become one of the club's two largest service projects, alongside its flag program supporting Scouting in the area.

Since establishing its partnership with Mt. Carmel in 2024, North Colorado Springs Rotary has committed $42,000 in financial assistance and gift cards to support military families through the 2026 holiday season.

That includes the club's newly approved $15,000 commitment for this year's Turkey for Troops program.

And when the club's earlier military-family projects are considered, the history of generosity is even more impressive.

Giving Thanks by Giving Back

Thanksgiving reminds us to appreciate the people who make a difference in our lives and communities. For North Colorado Springs Rotarians, that includes the military members and families whose service and sacrifices deserve recognition throughout the year.

Through years of generosity, volunteer service, and an enduring partnership with Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, the club has found a meaningful way to express that gratitude.

As hundreds of military families prepare to gather around their Thanksgiving tables this year, North Colorado Springs Rotarians can take pride in knowing they have helped make those celebrations possible.

Because sometimes the most meaningful way to say "thank you for your service" is through service of our own.

And that is Rotary at its best.