— HATS OFF FOR VETERANS: OUR HISTORY —
Pictured center is Texas Country Artist, Roger Creager. To the far right is his dad, William "Bill" Creager, a decorated U.S. Army Veteran. Both performed at our 2022 O:HOFV event. Unfortunately, Roger lost his father in March 2025. We were lucky to get a chance to meet this American hero, Sgt. Creager! Rest in peace, Sir.
OUR HISTORY:
Founded in 2005 by HOFV Founder and CEO, Lisa Adams, this annual family BBQ fundraiser was created while she worked at a nonprofit Level IV hospital. This historic community event was created to help the hospice department. Originally called Hats Off For Hospice, the goal was to raise funds to fulfill hospice patients' end-of-life wishes. Thanks to so many supporters in the community, many wishes were fulfilled including fishing trips, fancy meals, many loving family portraits, and even a hot air balloon ride.
Special thanks to Kent Black (Black's BBQ), Larry Kruzie (Texas Old Town), and Texas Oncology San Marcos, for their continued support every year! They helped a lot of hospice patient's end-of-life dreams come true and now they are helping Veterans achieve their goals.
As the community fundraiser grew over the years, the need to help our local veterans and their families increased. After further discussion with our sponsors and partners, it was agreed that in 2023, Hats Off For Hospice would become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and renamed Hats Off For Veterans Inc.
Thanks to so many supporters and volunteers, HOFV has grown to become part of the Hays County community for over 21 years!
Music artists who have performed to help support and raise funds for HOFV includes Jason Boland and the Stragglers, Stoney LaRue, Charlie Robison, Turnpike Troubadours, The Derailers, Roger Creager, Two Tons of Steel, Bart Crow Band, Cory Morrow, Bob Schneider, Reckless Kelly, Blue Water Highway, Reagan Hicks Band, and many more!
Save the date! The next BBQ is Sunday, April 18, 2027.
— HATS OFF FOR VETERANS: OUR FUTURE! —
Building a Brighter Future for Veterans.
Hats Off For Veterans is building a future where every Texas veteran has access to education, professional development, mental health support, and a strong community. Our goal is to expand our reach, strengthen our programs, and ensure veterans and their families have the resources they need to thrive.
Watch the Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC) HOFV Promotion on CBS Austin.
We can never say thank you enough to our incredible friends at Pedernales Electric Cooperative! In December 2024, Hats Off For Veterans received a technology grant through PEC’s Power of Change program, and its impact has been truly remarkable. In less than two years, this generous grant has helped our Courage to Connect: Virtual Help for Veterans Navigating PTSD and Courage to Connect: PTSD By Proxy programs achieve our five-year strategic goal for mental health services!
Because of PEC’s generosity, we have been able to expand our reach, strengthen our virtual programs, and connect more veterans, families, first responders, and caregivers with the peer support they deserve.
Thank you, PEC, for believing in our mission and helping us turn a five-year vision into a two-year accomplishment! . (READ MORE)