2014
Tiny Heroes Winter Wonderland
YRU welcomed children of fallen service members from TAPS for a holiday experience rooted in fun, gifts, solidarity, and belonging.
Our impact
Measured in moments families remember.
Impact lives in the child who feels celebrated, the family reminded it is not alone, and the partner that discovers a meaningful way to serve.
Impact at a glance
A history of connection.
These milestones reflect documented YRU programs and help tell the larger story behind the work.
2014First Tiny Heroes Winter Wonderland welcomed children of fallen service members.
150Area civilian and military-connected children gathered for United in Play in 2018.
3Founding high schools launched the student-led Mission to Unite initiative in 2022.
10+Years creating connection, joy, and community with military families.
IMPACT IS BOTH WHAT HAPPENS AND WHAT FAMILIES FEEL.
How impact happens
Programs open the door. Relationships make the difference.
YRU builds environments where military families are welcomed as honored members of a larger community.
Professional athletes and teams bring joy and visibility. Companies bring people, resources, and generosity. Student leaders bring energy and empathy. Families bring the stories and experiences that give every gathering its meaning.
YRU through the years
Milestones with meaning.
2018
United in Play
Approximately 150 civilian and military-connected children came together on Armed Forces Day through sports and shared experiences.
2022
Mission to Unite begins
Students from Briar Woods, Our Lady of Good Counsel, and Langley established a youth-led service initiative focused on school supplies and literacy.
2024
Winter Wonderland continues
The annual celebration created another evening of holiday joy for military-connected children and families.
2025
A new chapter on film
Winter Wonderland returned with students, partners, volunteers, families, and a new event film and photo archive documenting the experience.
NEXT
More connection. More shared purpose.
YRU is expanding the partnerships and youth-led programs that make meaningful military-family engagement possible.
The story behind the numbers
Every data point has a face.
Numbers help demonstrate scale. Photographs and stories help us remember why the work matters.
YRU is strengthening the way it documents participation, partnerships, volunteer engagement, and program outcomes so future impact reporting can be both credible and deeply human.
Explore impact storiesMake the next milestone possible
Your organization can become part of this story.
Let’s create an initiative that reflects your people, resources, and commitment to military families.