Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs Awards $20,000 to Veteran-Focused Outdoor Program
OLYMPIA - Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) has announced Outdoors for Our Heroes as the recipient of a Suicide Prevention Community-Based Grant, awarding the organization $20,000 to expand its Veteran-focused suicide prevention efforts.
Funds raised from Suicide Prevention License Plate Emblems can be used to expand WDVA’s peer program, peer support programs, and additional suicide prevention services, including community-based grants.
For WDVA, the grant represents more than financial support.
The announcement comes amid ongoing concern over Veteran suicide rates. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in its latest 2025 Suicide Prevention Report, nearly 18 Veterans die by suicide each day nationwide. In Washington State, there has been an increase in Veteran suicide deaths in 2025 compared to the previous year, with heightened risk among rural Veterans, those aged 55 and older, and recently separated Service Members.
State leaders are also working to expand awareness and access to crisis resources such as the 988 Veterans Crisis Line. Through legislation supported by Senator Tina Orwall, the state established a program linking the sale of specialty “988 Lifeline” license plate emblems in partnership with Washington State Department of Licensing to military and Veteran community-based suicide prevention funding. Proceeds from these emblems with more than 2,000 sold since 2024, directly support community-based grants like this one.
The emblems carry a clear message: “988 Lifeline-There is Hope!”
“This check doesn’t just represent funding, it represents our continued mission to help save and transform lives,” WDVA’s Suicide Prevention Program Manager Nicole Vreeland said. “Every time someone purchases a 988 emblem, they are helping to combat suicide and save lives.”
Funds from the 988 emblem sales and grant funds will allow Outdoors For Our Heroes to broaden its reach across Washington, offering more opportunities for Veterans to engage, connect, and access peer support.
During the award presentation, Vreeland highlighted the organization’s impact beyond recreation.
“They weren’t there just to build these amazing fishing rods, they were there to connect with other Veterans, avoid isolation, and demonstrate resiliency,” Vreeland added in reflecting on a rod-building workshop she attended.
About Outdoors For Our Heroes
The nonprofit delivers peer-driven suicide prevention programs through outdoor recreation and skills-based activities, including guided hunting, fishing trips and rod-building workshops. All programming is offered at no cost to Veterans and their families, and notably, every instructor involved is a Veteran volunteer.
Videos:
- WDVA Check Presentation to Outdoors For Our Heroes:https://youtu.be/oKl-fwZSkng
- Outdoors For Our Heroes shares importance of the grant and their program: https://youtu.be/ut8lRL9Q6dU