Youth for Troops (Y4T) is a youth-led, service-focused, non-profit 501(c)(3), with a desire as youth to inspire this generation and all other generations to volunteer together and support our service members and veterans. It was created by co-founders Taylor Piatt, Heather Piatt, Hannah Piatt, Sophie Hoffa, Walter Hoffa, and Leo Hoffa, located in Anthem and Tramonto. Y4T became an official non-profit in April 2017, but they’ve been passionate about serving and volunteering since they were young. Youth for Troops hopes that this generation will develop a respect and appreciation for those that protect our liberties and freedoms through meaningful experiences and unique volunteer opportunities. Their mission is “To inspire patriotism in fellow youth and across generations by volunteering on behalf of service members and veterans through community service, advocacy, and education.” All six youth board members have had a passion for serving our military and veterans for many years. However, the majority of community service opportunities were geared towards adults, so they decided to start an organization that would allow anyone from ages 0 to 120 to volunteer with them. Youth for Troops hosts monthly activities, including a Care Packages for Deployed Troops event, held on the second Monday of every month at the Outlets at Anthem. Volunteers of all ages fill care packages with food and hygiene items that are shipped to our deployed heroes, with a total of 5,352 boxes shipped since 2018. They have raised over $80,280 to cover shipping costs  and have filled each box with in-kind donations from local schools, businesses, organizations and individual supporters. Y4T also holds a Plastic Mats for Homeless Veterans event on the third Tuesday of each month. Volunteers sort and cut plastic bags into strips, and then crochet them into decorative mats that are given to homeless veterans. It takes 700-900 recycled plastic bags and many volunteer hours to make one mat. Y4T has distributed 535 plastic mats throughout the state since this event started. Youth for Troops founders are proud members of Arizona Patriot Guard Riders, who hold flags at active military homecomings, veteran events, and military funerals. Y4T also collaborates with Arizona Honor Flight to support WWII, Korean, and Vietnam Veterans, and serve meals at reunion banquets. Y4T founders are also members of the Daisy Mountain Veterans and they participate in their annual DMV Veterans Parade. The Youth Board will gladly present to schools, clubs, corporate team building activities, and special events and provide patriotic projects. Through family-friendly community service projects and patriotic events, Y4T volunteers have accumulated over 22,800 community service hours supporting veterans and deployed heroes. Youth for Troops was honored with a flag that was flown over NATO Headquarters in Afghanistan.  It was delivered by a local hero that received their care packages while stationed in country. Y4T was recently presented with the 2020 Anthem Veterans Service Award from the Anthem Community Council and has been honored with a Congressional Recognition from Arizona’s District 8 Congresswoman Debbie Lesko. Y4T was also honored to have a proclamation read into the United States House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. in 2019. Y4T was also awarded the Anthem Area Chamber of Commerce 2018 Non-Profit of the Year award, and Hulafrog Most Loved Local Charity 2019. Youth for Troops grows by word of mouth, so please spread the word about their mission. They can be found on Instagram and has a YouTube channel, as well as a website, youthfortroops.org. Youth for Troops is very passionate about honoring our service meFollow us on Instagram @oneworldonefuturepodcast to be the first to know when new episodes drop! And don’t forget to follow our host, Ashley, at @itsashleynevison for even more updates and behind-the-scenes content!

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