Bringing Them Home May 2025
ISSUE 8 | May 2025
It’s Here! The Ben Jackson Foundation Drinkware Collection Has Officially Launched!
The wait is over—our exclusive Ben Jackson Foundation Drinkware Collection is now LIVE!
Crafted for style, built for purpose, and designed to give back, this new line of drinkware lets you show your support in a bold (and super functional) way. Whether you’re on the go, at the gym, or enjoying your morning coffee, we’ve got your perfect match.
Every purchase makes an impact, with 100% of proceeds going directly toward supporting military families through our foundation’s mission.
Here’s what you need to know:
- FREE Shipping on all Drink Buddy items
- Orders are fulfilled by a trusted third-party vendor
- You choose your drinkware, color, and design
Meet the Frost Buddy Ben Jackson Foundation Collection:
- Universal Can Cooler – Holds everything from 12 oz slim cans to 16 oz aluminum bottles (and more!)
- 40 oz Tumbler – Comes with a handle, fits in a car cup holder, and includes a built-in ChapStick slot and key holder
- 32 oz Water Bottle – Sleek, travel-friendly, and features a dual-function lid for max versatility
Customize It
When ordering you choose not only your style and color, but you can choose from 5 different logos and you can even have your name or a short phrase printed. Pick your favorite. Choose your style. Make it yours.
This isn’t just drinkware—it’s a way to support a cause that matters. Thank you for standing with us, spreading the word, and helping us make a real difference—one sip at a time. Visit our SHOP to order yours!
Donor Perspective
Dear Larry, Jen and the Ben Jackson Foundation,
Every year in February, my mother, my sisters, their spouses, and as many of our eight adult children and their significant others as can come, gather at our home for a post-holiday winter family weekend. Our get-togethers started when one sister invited us to their home to attend a wine-tasting fundraiser in their community. We all enjoyed this winter outing, until covid ended the event. Then one niece suggested that we have our own wine-tasting party at my house, which we have been doing for three years now. Everyone brings a bottle of wine or cocktail to share. In addition to the tastings, we eat, play games, hike, hot tub, have a backyard campfire, sleep over, eat more, and just enjoy our time together.
This year, I was remembering the fun of that earlier fundraiser event which also included a silent auction. I thought that a silent auction would be a fun element to add to our weekend, since so many family members are very crafty. And it only makes sense that the recipient of this fund-raiser would be the Ben Jackson Foundation, which is all about families coming together.
Everyone jumped on the idea. 13 people donated 32 items, which included homemade wine, fudge, honey, a crocheted shawl, a craft cocktail kit, leathercraft items, wine cork/pinecone trivet, a cheesecake, sugar scrubs, home canned items, fabric items, orgeat syrup, canvas bottle carrier, homemade long island ice tea mix, and a cutting board made from lumber cut from our family farm, along with a few sentimental pieces that belonged to my dad who passed in 2002. The bidding was fierce, and even some who could not attend bid by phone. Everyone had a great time and walked away with new treasures.
In the end, we were all surprised that our one family with 15 participants raised $860 for the Ben Jackson Foundation! Our nuclear and extended family means so much to us, and we hope this gift can help someone come home for precious family time like this one.
We are already planning next year’s entries, and we hope the fundraiser is bigger and better than this year’s. Please feel free to use this letter in any way that will advance the mission of the BJF.
With devotion,
Joy Coyne
EVENTS
Bailey’s Run Vineyard to Release “Bring Me Home” 2025 American Red Wine this Memorial Day Weekend
Announcing the highly anticipated release of the 2025 Bring Me Home American Red Wine, a heartfelt collaboration supporting the Ben Jackson Foundation. Join us for a special release and celebration event on Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, from 3–6 PM, as we toast to a meaningful cause and share in an afternoon of wine, music, and community.
This annual wine release is more than just a seasonal favorite—it’s a tribute. All proceeds from Bring Me Home go directly to the Ben Jackson Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting young men and women in the military by helping them return home on leave during their first year of service.
This year’s bottle will feature the winning label design for 2025, officially unveiled at the event. Come see the art, meet the makers, and learn more about the foundation’s mission at the Ben Jackson Foundation booth on-site.
Live music by local favorite Diamonds and Lead will keep the vineyard rocking all afternoon. Guests will also hear from Ben Jackson Foundation President Larry Jackson, who will speak about the organization’s impact, as well as a representative from Bailey’s Run, who will share the story and inspiration behind this year’s vintage.
Whether you're a wine lover, a supporter of our service members, or just looking for a meaningful way to spend your Memorial Day weekend, this is an event you won’t want to miss.
Visit Bailey’s Run Vineyard on Memorial Day weekend—raise a glass, bring them home.
Recent Ticket Home Recipients
Jen and Larry Jackson to Receive Folded Flag Honor from Folds of Honor Wisconsin Chapter
We are proud to share that Jen and Larry Jackson, founders of the Ben Jackson Foundation, have been selected as the 2025 recipients of the Folds of Honor Wisconsin Chapter Folded Flag—a distinguished recognition honoring individuals who demonstrate extraordinary dedication to military families and patriotic service.
This prestigious award will be presented during the Madison Wingman Open on June 17, 2025, an annual event that brings together supporters of military families for a day of golf, gratitude, and giving back.
Through their tireless work with the Ben Jackson Foundation, Jen and Larry have helped hundreds of young service members return home during their first year of enlistment—providing travel grants that reconnect these brave individuals with their families and support systems. The foundation, inspired by the life and legacy of their son, U.S. Airman Ben Jackson, continues to grow in impact and reach, thanks to their unwavering passion and commitment.
The Folded Flag symbolizes honor, sacrifice, and the deep gratitude of a nation. It is awarded to those who embody these values and go above and beyond to support America's heroes. Jen and Larry’s efforts have not only preserved the memory of their son but have also created lasting connections between communities and the young men and women who serve.
We invite supporters, friends, and members of the community to join in celebrating this well-deserved honor.
CALL TO ACTION
Letter From A Board Member
Dear Fellow Supporters,
While Larry and Jen are taking a well-deserved vacation, I’d like to offer a new perspective on the Ben Jackson Foundation.
I was a fellow Midshipman with Larry at Marquette University’s NROTC Unit, but I went the Marine Corps route. We kept in touch over the years thanks to Facebook. This was how I first learned about the Ben Jackson Foundation. I immediately sent a donation, then became a supporter, was asked to be a member of the Application Selection Committee, and then a Board Member.
As someone who has served overseas in both peacetime and combat, I understand the need and longing for home. Whether it’s the home cooking (or favorite restaurants), face to face conversations, pets, comfortable beds, hot showers, and more…we just all want to be home at some point. Home is definitely where the heart is.
Having been to many of the locations our young servicemembers are serving, I think it’s an incredible honor to assist them in going home. The locations can be remote, the applicants may not have or be allowed to have a personal vehicle, there are language and cultural barriers, all of which on their own or combined can be overwhelming for some. The opportunity to offer and contribute to a reset for the applicants is awesome.
Every dollar donated is very much appreciated, be it through Facebook fundraisers, recurring donations, merchandise purchases, and Home for the Holidays campaigns. And thank you to those who donate their time and own resources to help with this amazing Foundation.
Sincerely,
Maureen Murphy
LtCol, USMC (Ret.)
Share this:
You have helped provide
747
Ticket Home Awards worth
$547,250
Mark Your calendars
May: National Military Appreciation Month
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May 17: Armed Forces Day
May 24: Bailey's Run Vineyard & Winery 2025 Bring Me Home Wine Release Party
May 26: Memorial Day Remember & Honor Our Fallen Heroes
May 30: Tanner Kaltenberg Memorial Golf Outing
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June 14: Flag Day
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June 17: Madison Folds of Honor Wingman Open
July 12: Seven Acres Dairy Company Paoli, WI
“The Ben Jackson Foundation ticket was a tremendous help to me. Being overseas makes it difficult to visit my loved ones, and financial and logistical challenges add to the strain. Having the opportunity to come home to my mother and my 5-year-old sister, especially during the holidays is a dream come true. Spending that time with my sister is something I deeply cherish, and this ticket made it possible!”
“This award will allow me to not have to worry about expense as I go to visit my family for the first time since boot leave.”
“The Ben Jackson Foundation Ticket Home will help bring me home to see my grandmother as she's approaching 103 years old, parents, younger siblings, and other family. As well as allowing me to be able to spend time, make memories, lasting my first time back after almost 3 years of not seeing them.”
“This will allow me to make my trip home to meet my new nephew without the heavy stress of the full ticket cost to fly out of Guam.”