The John Stewart Morton, Jr. Gift Matching Challenge

In a remarkable gesture, the Rhodes Family has pledged to match dollar-for-dollar all donations made at this time to Hope For The Warriors, up to $25,000. 

Here’s why . . .

Ticie and Tom Rhodes established the John Stewart Morton, Jr. Gift Matching Challenge to honor Ticie’s father, a World War II veteran.

In 1940, he enlisted with Battery D, 110th Field Artillery of the 29th Division.  During World War II, he served with an artillery unit in the Philippines and later in Bermuda. He was a lieutenant at the time of his discharge in 1946. Mr. Morton remained in the Maryland National Guard until retiring as a lieutenant colonel in 1971.

Tom and Ticie Rhodes

“After my father died in 2011, my husband Tom and I wanted to honor him, his military service, and his deep patriotism.  By chance, while researching non-profits on Charity Navigator, we ran across a very young organization that earned Four Stars, the highest rating possible. Started and run by a military spouse, it prioritized programs to support veterans over its advertising and administration budget, which spoke to our values. A little more research showed that its office was a short drive away, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and we went to see them for ourselves. This was our introduction to Hope For The Warriors and the beginning of our 12-year relationship.

Over the years we’ve seen tremendous growth in Hope For The Warriors programming, identifying needs in the veteran community and finding ever increasing ways to address them.  Now, with a breadth of focus that incorporates financial wellness, mental and physical health, connection and community support, Tom and I remain deeply grateful to the staff and volunteers at Hope For The Warriors and their support of those veterans who have given so much for each one of us living under the American flag.”

This generous matching challenge from the Rhodes family, combined with your compassionate gift, will make a significant difference in the lives of veterans facing the challenges of housing, utilities, groceries, and transportation, while living with the physical and psychological wounds of their service.