Camp Hope - Starting to Feel like Family

On September 13th, we took a fresh group of volunteers out to serve a meal at Camp Hope, a residential program for veterans battling PTSD. The menu was a true community effort—pulled pork and chicken sandwiches, baked beans, a fresh green salad, tea, lemonade, and fried pies.

The meat was donated by HEB in Alvin, seasoned by Texas Select Seasonings, smoked by volunteers, and topped with BBQ sauce from The Lighthouse Charity Team. The beans, salad, and homemade pickles came from Common Sense Approach and the Cole family. Milo’s provided the tea and lemonade, and Froberg Farms generously donated fried pies.

This wasn’t our first time serving at Camp Hope, but it was just as impactful as the last. You can read about our previous serve as well as detailed information about Camp Hope and their mission here.

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what makes these visits so special—it’s not a single profound moment, but rather the quiet conversations, the shared laughter, and the realization that these men are just like us. At the same time, knowing what these men have faced makes you want to embrace and encourage them even more. It’s sobering to realize that the struggles they carry are the result of their willingness to sacrifice for our rights and freedoms.

As volunteer Debbie put it:

“My heart breaks for those vets who suffer from PTSD and struggle once they get home. No one should have to see and do the things they do. What surprised me most was how many were so upbeat and hopeful. That’s a testament to the work happening at Camp Hope.”

We had 9 adults and 11 kids (ages 7–17) join us this time, and every one of them served with joy—working the food line, refilling drinks, handing out desserts, and even sitting down with the veterans to share a meal. Watching the kids scatter among the tables, choosing to sit with the men instead of just with each other, was one of the most powerful moments of the day. As one volunteer reminded us, “kids bring so much joy and so little judgment.”

The veterans were especially grateful for the presence of the children. For some, it had been a long time since they’d seen their own kids due to the challenges of living with PTSD and its consequences. Having the KJIC kids there—greeting, serving, and engaging in conversation—created a sense of ease that allowed everyone to simply relax and enjoy the moment.

Conversations flowed easily—from family and service stories to pickle-making, music, and even an impromptu jam session on the electric drums and guitar. We were reminded again that food is often just the doorway to something deeper: connection, encouragement, prayer, and hope.

We had the privilege of veterans entrusting us with their stories—sharing both the struggles they’ve faced and the victories they’ve experienced. We were able to offer encouragement, receive encouragement in return, and pray with several men throughout our time there. It’s hard to describe what it feels like when someone you’ve just met chooses to open up about the hardest parts of their journey. It truly feels like a precious gift.

One volunteer, Robert, put it this way: “It was just a divine appointment. It was so crazy how much of my story and his story kind of mirrored each other. He has done a lot of work, and I’m excited to see where he goes. Our souls got to connect over Jesus and how we both have our traumas. We weren’t a volunteer speaking into somebody at Camp Hope—we were two men just sharing stories of how God is moving in our lives. I was very encouraged just to spend time with him and talk to him. I got to tell him that his story, and the work that he’s done in his life, had encouraged me in my walk on my journey with the Lord.”

Moments like these remind us why we keep going back. We leave with full hearts, prayers for the men we met, and faith that God is writing a hopeful future for each of them.

In a folllow-up email, Spensor, the Volunteer Coordinator for Camp Hope, shared this:

"Thank you again for your team’s delicious lunch — the guys are still bragging about the menu! Those homemade fried pies were the perfect finishing touch. Everyone felt truly cared for."

If you’d like to join us for our next visit to Camp Hope—or any of our other KJIC Outreach opportunities—please fill out our Volunteer Application.

And to our listeners, volunteers, and supporters: Thank You!

Because of you, we get to impact lives not just through Christian Country Music, but also through serving together in our community.