During spring break in 2022, my 6 children and myself awoke to find Jon had passed during the night. Our world had shattered in an instant. I didn’t know what to do, or what to think. I felt frozen and I was in shock. I knew I needed help navigating this new world without my partner.

I didn’t know what to do or where to turn. So I decided that morning to reach out and call MTK. I remember Christina answered the phone and I told her I didn’t know if they could even help me, or what I needed. I said my veteran husband just passed and we have 6 minor children and I don’t know what to do. I started crying. She assured me MTK could help and it would be okay.

They were there for me and our children the whole way. They helped me navigate the world of the VA, the funeral home, setting up a meal train, assisted with fundraising, dealing with the grief, listening and supporting, providing crisis intervention for my children and so much more. My world had shattered and without MTK I truly feel like I would still have been so lost.

I felt bad at times because I was not the veteran. They kept reassuring me that their commitment is to the veteran and their families. So that since Jon wasn’t able to be here, they were stepping up in his honor to take care of us, his family.

I am beyond grateful for everything that MTK has done for me and my children. It is because of them we were able to start stabilizing what was left of our world, and they stayed until we were okay. The first 6 months they were heavily involved, then still regularly involved for months and as needed. It’s been 3 years now and they still check in with us.

I cannot speak highly enough of this organization. The level of compassion, support, love, dedication from all MTK members is beyond words. This is more that just an organization, it’s a second family.

Mrs. Jennifer Damrow