The holiday season is here, which means our calendars—and our wallets—are about to get a serious workout. Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday…your bank account can take a big hit after that long weekend alone.

But right after all that spending comes one day that doesn’t require a credit card swipe or searching for promo codes. It’s 

—and for military families, it’s now grown into something bigger, louder, and wonderfully contagious: Giving Tuesday Military, now in its sixth year of service-minded goodness—and being a part of it doesn’t have to cost you a single cent.

A Movement Started By Military Spouses Who Wanted to Do More

 launched in 2019 when three military spouses—Jessica Manfre (Coast Guard), Samantha Gomolka (National Guard), and Maria Reed (Army) met in Washington D.C., thanks to the 

Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year program

Like so many great military-spouse friendships, it started with instant connection and a “Hey, what if we…?” that turned into a nationwide movement.

“When we met, we just connected and knew we wanted to do something impactful together,” Manfre said. 

“We were from different backgrounds and lived in different places, but we shared one purpose—to make a difference,” added Gomolka.

So the trio pitched the idea of rallying military families, Veterans, and supporters nationwide around one mission: intentional generosity. The Giving Tuesday organization loved it, and a partnership was born.

Not fundraisers. Not galas. Not a dollar goal.

Just…kindness. Service. Showing up for others—something military families happen to be very, very good at.

“The idea wasn’t about money,” Reed said. “People can contribute through acts of service, through kindness. This is about putting others above yourself.”

The Giving Tuesday team loved it. A partnership was formed. And the movement took off.

From One Good Idea to a Worldwide Movement

Fast forward six years, and the message remains beautifully simple: 

. As Warren Buffett said, “Kindness is costless but also priceless.”

Giving Tuesday Military is now a force to be reckoned with. Ambassadors pop up across the country and overseas each fall—military spouses, Veterans, supporters, and kids—ready to spread kindness like it's 

 and kindness is the only box the movers 

Some ambassadors organize community events. Some rally their bases. Some get creative at home with simple acts that still make a huge impact.

How You Can Join the Movement (Yep, You.)

Giving Tuesday Military isn’t about perfection—it’s about participation. Your act of kindness can be huge, tiny, silly, thoughtful, creative, or simple.

Round up abandoned grocery carts in the parking lot. 

Write uplifting notes and leave them around base. 

Mow a neighbor’s lawn or walk their dog during deployment. 

Let someone go ahead of you at the commissary during payday weekend (heroic, honestly).

Whatever you choose, snap a photo or write a quick post and share it with 

. Not for bragging rights—though you earned those—but to inspire others to jump in, too.

Because kindness spreads fast. Especially in this community.

Six Years In, the Mission Hasn’t Changed

The founders will tell you the same thing they said back in year one:

There’s no wrong way to serve. There’s no wrong way to give back. And kindness counts—always.

Our service members wear the uniform. Our families carry the load. And for many of us, volunteering, giving, and serving our neighbors is 

This Giving Tuesday, you can be part of something big—simply by doing something small. To learn more or jump in as an ambassador, visit 

And remember: one kind act can change someone’s whole day. Imagine what a whole community can do.

And that’s exactly the spirit military spouses across the country are working to spread.

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Six Years Strong: How Giving Tuesday Military Is Still Turning Kindness Into a Movement

What does it take to serve up a traditional Thanksgiving dinner far from home? Hundreds of thousands of pounds of our favorite holiday foods.

No matter where they’re stationed, U.S. troops are getting a taste of home this Thanksgiving—thanks to the 

 out of Philadelphia made sure more than 380,000 pounds of turkey, ham, beef, shrimp, pies, eggnog, and other holiday favorites made it to troops overseas in time for the 2025 holiday.

“It’s the most significant event for morale—hands down,” said Robin Whaley, DLA’s chief of subsistence for customers outside the continental U.S. “Careful planning and coordination make sure every item arrives on time.”

Holiday orders are tricky—troop numbers shift, and no two menus are exactly alike.

“Holiday requirements are like fingerprints,” said 

John Sheehan, Subsistence Director of Customer Operations

. “What one base needs can change from year to year, and we make sure every detail is covered.”

For the team behind the mission, it’s more than logistics—it’s pride. Army Master Sgt. Jose Montero said, 

“Knowing we’re giving warfighters a connection to home… that’s what makes it meaningful. Our team works tirelessly to make sure every meal is ready and hot.”

Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Shemika Harris added, 

“This is my first time helping plan holiday meals, and I’m blown away by the effort. These meals mean more than food—they mean home.”

Here’s what’s headed to dining facilities overseas this Thanksgiving for troops:

152,626 lbs. of turkey (whole and roasted)

isn’t just about Thanksgiving—they supply more than $25 billion a year in food, gear, medicine, and other essentials.

Thanks to the hard work of DLA teams across Europe, Africa, and the Indo-Pacific, service members can enjoy a hot, hearty holiday meal—even thousands of miles from home.

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 and Navy Midshipmen on the gridiron. Every December, this particular matchup reminds us that college football is still about tradition and giving us goosebumps—not just playoff brackets and hot takes from talking heads.

Who will sing second? Who will hoist the 

? And whose plebes will have it just a little bit easier next semester?

This year, on December 13th, the uniforms for this game are carrying major weight: both Army and Navy are suiting up in designs celebrating 250 years of their service branches.

You can call them uniforms if you want, but honestly? They’re closer to walking history lessons.

What’s on the Line: More Than Just the Score

Next month’s game isn’t just about bragging rights (though make no mistake—that’s huge—it also ties into the Commander‑in‑Chief’s Trophy, awarded each season among the three U.S. service academies: Army, Navy, and the Air Force Falcons.

, the 2024 victory did more than add another win—they secured that trophy by sweeping their academy rivals. 

. That result also helped Navy edge ahead in the all-time series: as of the end of that game, Navy leads the rivalry with 63 wins, Army has 55, and there have been seven ties.

So when these two square off next month, they’re not just playing for the uniform reveal—they’re playing for legacy, bragging rights, and institutional pride that spans more than a century.

Army: Leaning Into Legacy With Marble, Purple & Pure Grit

Army’s 2025 look is all about honoring the Soldiers who’ve carried this country through every chapter of its story. 

are rolling out a marble-toned uniform with bold purple and gold touches—something you don’t see every Saturday, but Army-Navy isn’t your average Saturday.

As West Point put it, the design “commemorates the 250th anniversary of the United States Army and pays tribute to the Soldiers who have defended our nation with unwavering bravery, selfless service, and profound sacrifice.”

That marble color? Not just a fashion flex. It represents the strength and permanence of the Army’s foundation, kind of the way Army fans feel about their fullbacks.

And the purple trim is the emotional anchor. It nods to the

. It’s a reminder of sacrifice stitched right into the jersey.

Add in the historical insignia, helmet details, and subtle storytelling elements, and you’ve got a uniform that says history matters—right before a linebacker tries to run you over.

Navy: Nautical Roots, Six Frigates & 250 Knots of Symbolism

Navy is bringing its own heat, and yes, it’s very… Navy. The Midshipmen leaned into their maritime DNA, working with 

 inspired by the original six frigates of the early U.S. Navy.

“To tell a compelling story that seamlessly combines the history of the U.S. Navy, the original six frigates … and the United States Naval Academy.”

Inside the collar is one of the sweetest touches: “USN 250” embroidered as a nod to the Navy’s 250 years.

And for anyone who loves an Easter egg: the rope graphics across the uniform include exactly 250 knots. That is commitment. That is attention to detail. That is the football equivalent of running the ball even when everybody knows you’re running the ball. Let’s be honest: service academies love themselves the triple option.

Navy’s whole design is basically a salute to the sea, the ships, and the generations who kept them moving—proof you can make history look sharp.

Sure, Army and Navy will take the field wanting to beat the absolute camo and anchors off of each other—because that’s what they do. But this year, they’re also stepping into a shared moment.

Different branches. Different aesthetics. Same 250-year legacy of service, sacrifice, and American grit.

 has always been more than football. It's a tradition you can feel. And this December, the uniforms make that tradition impossible to miss.

When they run onto the field, they won’t just be wearing jerseys.

They’ll be wearing the story of America—250 years in the making.

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Teal Yost

Managing Editor

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