10/29/2026
During The Longest Table last month, we handed out our United Way of Bay County Community Awards to deserving members in our community! 💙🙌
We want to take a minute to recognize our friends and neighbors who have done so much for us, such as:
This year’s recipient of the George R. Heron Heart of the Community Award is the Bay Veterans Foundation for their extraordinary commitment to improving the lives of veterans and strengthening the fabric of our community. Founded through the vision and leadership of Vietnam veterans Mike Jamrog and Keith Markstrom, the Foundation was built on a simple but powerful belief: that veterans deserve more than services, they deserve a place to belong. What began as an idea has grown into the Veterans Workshop & Learning Center, a welcoming, volunteer-driven organization where veterans find friendship, purpose, mentorship, and hope. Through hands-on learning opportunities, peer support, and meaningful community connections, the Foundation empowers veterans to help themselves while inspiring them to become leaders, teachers, and mentors for others.
The impact of the Bay Veterans Foundation extends far beyond its programs. It is reflected in the veterans who no longer face isolation alone, the families who have been reunited with loved ones rediscovering purpose, and the countless lives redirected toward hope and healing. Under its leadership, the Foundation has become a catalyst for community engagement, restoring treasured public spaces, honoring military families, expanding outreach to underserved veteran populations, and creating innovative educational opportunities that benefit the entire region. By building a community where veterans know they are valued, supported, and never alone, the Bay Veterans Foundation exemplifies the spirit of the George R. Heron Heart of the Community Award and leaves a legacy that will continue to inspire and strengthen Bay County for generations to come.
Follow us on Facebook or Instagram to vote for next year's George R. Heron Heart of the Community Award recipient next summer! 💙