Search
Close this search box.
Subscribe

Forever Warriors launches $40,000 grant program for military support initiatives

Cohort #2 of the Forever Warriors Foundation Grant Program will provide funding to programs focused on military service member support and reintegration in Okaloosa County, Florida.
Forever Warriors presents $16,000 to United Way Emerald Coast’s Mission United program at a recent Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce event. Pictured left to right: Shane Frederic (Origin Bank, UWEC Volunteer), Mia Mortensen (UWEC), Sheila Fitzgerald (Okaloosa County, UWEC Volunteer), Maureen Bierman (SOAG/FW), Kelly Jasen (UWEC), Darra Flanagan (SOAG/FW, UWEC Volunteer), Briley Kennedy (UWEC), Jessica Leavins (City of Crestview, UWEC Volunteer), Tammy Barrientos (UWEC), and Deborah Lawson (UWEC).

Forever Warriors, an initiative of Step One Automotive Group, announced Wednesday it is accepting applications for its second cohort of military support grants, offering $40,000 in total funding for programs in Okaloosa County.

  • The grants, managed in partnership with United Way Emerald Coast (UWEC), will support programs aimed at enhancing resiliency, well-being and reintegration for military service members, reservists and veterans. Individual grants will range from $5,000 to $15,000 for the period of January through March 2025.

“At Forever Warriors, we understand that the transition from military to civilian life can be challenging,” said Maureen Bierman, Marketing Director of Step One Automotive Group and Forever Warriors. “We are dedicated to funding programs that provide essential support for our veterans and service members.”

The announcement comes after Forever Warriors distributed $56,000 in September to its first cohort of grantees, including EOD Warrior Foundation, Fisher House of the Emerald Coast, The Honor Foundation (Eglin Campus), United Way Emerald Coast and Veterans Serving Veterans.

UWEC President & CEO Kelly Jasen emphasized the organization’s role in managing the grants: “We have an in-depth understanding of local non-profits and community needs, a strong established grants process, and are proud to lend our expertise to these important efforts.”

Applications for the second cohort will be accepted through Nov. 22. Interested organizations can find more information at www.united-way.org/FWFgrant or by emailing volunteer@united-way.org.

The grant program’s launch coincides with National Veteran and Military Families Month.

Join the conversation...

Continue reading 👇

Veterans Treatment Court in Okaloosa offers path to recovery through accountability, mentorship

Veterans Day 2024 parades and events across Okaloosa County

One Hopeful Place’s ‘color run’ to support homeless veterans set for Nov. 16

Fort Walton Beach High School band to perform at Military Bowl in Annapolis

Bell

Join Our Newsletter

Join the best local newsletter read by thousands of locals each weekday morning. Best of all, it’s free!

Subscribe for free!
Facebook Instagram Youtube Twitter Linkedin
© 2025, Get The Coast LLC. All Rights Reserved
Free Newsletter Signup
Search
CloseMenu

Community Comments

Bill Denis commented on Fort Walton Beach approves agreement with Okaloosa County for ‘Around the Mound’ design funding
“Like it or not but Fort Walton Beach is dying, it's becoming just like Navarre but with some big box stores and no growth. All the shopping is in Walton...”
Respond
s commented on Fort Walton Beach approves all-day speed cameras in school zones
“There's many examples of cities doing this and being later forced to later take them out. Essentially you have a constitutional right to face your accuser. Automated citations mean no...”
Respond
Steven Lathi commented on Destin approves $1.2M project to resurface 11 city streets
“Kell- Aire Dr. Could definitely use some new lines on the street. TY”
Respond
Walter Swann commented on Fort Walton Beach approves all-day speed cameras in school zones
“11 mph is 50 percent of the typical school limit of 20 mph. Seems lax with most drivers cruising through school zones at 30 mph.”
Respond
C P commented on Fort Walton Beach approves agreement with Okaloosa County for ‘Around the Mound’ design funding
“I hope P Johnson gets to visit here so I can tell him to his face to keep his mouth shut about my town”
Respond
Clayton Allison commented on Fort Walton Beach approves all-day speed cameras in school zones
“So an unknown third party, will have access to very clear images of all our kids?”
Respond
Dennis Sather commented on Fort Walton Beach approves agreement with Okaloosa County for ‘Around the Mound’ design funding
“That's a good solution!”
Respond
Stopthepolicebullcrap commented on Fort Walton Beach approves all-day speed cameras in school zones
“Automated speeding cameras to issue tickets should be illegal. The only people who benefit are the people collecting the money. The citizens of Fort Walton Beach need to vote those...”
Respond
HWW commented on Fort Walton Beach approves all-day speed cameras in school zones
“Traffic enforcement in FWB is nonexistent and needs to become a priority. For example, almost every day I turn off highway 98 into the Veteran’s Park parking lot. My wife...”
Respond
Trish C. commented on Fort Walton Beach approves agreement with Okaloosa County for ‘Around the Mound’ design funding
“Elevating US98, like they did with US19 (N/S) is a much better idea than DESTROYING our historic downtown.”
Respond

GET OUR FREE LOCAL NEWSLETTER

Get the weekday email that actually makes reading local news enjoyable again.
Subscribe for free!