Holidays & Heroes Supports Fort Worth Military Families
The nonprofit marks its 12th year of hosting festive holiday events for junior enlisted service members at the local naval base.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Holidays & Heroes coordinates annual holiday celebrations and meal distributions for junior enlisted military families stationed at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth. These events provide gifts, holiday meals, and activities to help alleviate financial and social challenges faced by service members.
Why it matters
Frequent station reassignments every two to four years often leave military families feeling isolated, while many junior enlisted households struggle with financial stability. By partnering with organizations like the Tarrant Area Food Bank, this initiative aims to build a stronger community for those serving in North Texas.
The organization now hosts over 700 attendees at its annual Christmas party, a significant increase from the 39 families who participated in the first event. This year marks the 12th year that the group has held holiday events at the naval base.
The players
Holidays & Heroes
This is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting junior enlisted military families with holiday resources and events.
Kerre Ortegel
She is the founder who established the organization's inaugural Christmas party event for service members.
Tarrant Area Food Bank
This local organization partners with nonprofits to provide food assistance to residents and military families in the Fort Worth region.
Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth
This is a major military installation in North Texas that serves as the primary site for the organization's holiday operations.
Aaron Godsey
He is a participant who has attended the organization's holiday programming for military families.
The details
The festivities include unique attractions such as Santa arriving by airplane, appearances by Star Wars characters, and access to F-35 simulators. Additionally, the Tarrant Area Food Bank prepares and assembles Thanksgiving meals specifically for distribution to families based at the facility.
Timeline
Kerre Ortegel founded the organization's Christmas party concept around 2010 or 2011.
Aaron Godsey attended his first organization Christmas party in 2023.
The organization hosts its 12th annual Christmas event in 2026.
Market Landscape
The program's growth reflects a broader trend of local community organizations filling gaps in support services for military personnel. This expansion follows a pattern set by the 2010 launch of the Holidays & Heroes Christmas program, which has grown to serve a larger base population.
Eligible junior enlisted military families can access food support and holiday festivities directly through the base programs. These resources help participants reduce seasonal expenses and connect with other families facing similar service-related reassignments.
The takeaway
Community-led holiday support programs provide critical social and financial relief to military families dealing with constant mobility. Families can look for similar local partnerships to identify seasonal assistance options available during the holidays.
Further reading
For more information on charitable initiatives in the region, visit the Philanthropy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fort Worth Report.
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