December 2025

Holiday Volunteers Make The Station Merry

Volunteers made sure that comfort and joy were in steady supply at The Baltimore Station this holiday season. From holiday treats and homemade meals to care packages and carolers, volunteers lent their time and talents to making our clients’ days merry and bright all season long. 

“It’s like every day is Christmas around here,” said a client named Mr. Paul. “There are so many generous people who take time to bring meals or show up for us. It’s so amazing.” 

The Baltimore Station saw an incredible amount of volunteer support in November and December – there was at least one volunteer group on site every day from Veterans Day through Christmas Eve. While volunteers are integral to our program year-round, they play an especially vital role this time of year.  

For so many people, the holiday season can be a bittersweet time of year, full of both highs and lows, gratitude and longing. That is especially true for our clients, who are away from their families and friends as they work hard to turn their lives around.  

“We want our clients to lean into the good moments and find sources of hope and positivity during the bad ones,” said Volunteer Coordinator Pete Crispino. “We try to surround them with support, and we work to bring in a constant stream of kind people who are invested in their success.”  

In total, we welcomed more than 300 individual and group volunteers, and received more than 75 meals in November and December! Even more than the meals and gifts, it’s the personal connections that make the greatest impact on our program. Their positive presence offered our clients a constant source of support throughout the season.  

“It makes a difference when you know that people care,” said a client named Mr. Ronald. “It gives you strength to take on the next day.” 

We want to extend our immense gratitude to all our volunteers throughout the holiday season, and we look forward to seeing you in 2026! 

To get involved, reach out to Volunteer Coordinator Pete Crispino at pcrispino@baltimorestation.org or visit baltimorestation.com/volunteer. 

Starting the New Year Strong: Setting Goals for Success

“The best time to start was yesterday. The next best time is now.”

New Year's resolutions are a time-honored tradition, offering a chance to reflect on the past year, identify areas for growth, and commit to positive change. Whether it’s improving personal health, learning a new skill or nurturing relationships, setting goals provides direction, motivation, and a sense of purpose. At the same time, staying consistent throughout the year can be challenging, which is why a few thoughtful strategies can make all the difference. 

• Check in: Be sure to check in on how your goals are going throughout the year. 
• Write it down: Putting your goals in writing reinforces commitment and gives you a visual reminder of what you’re working toward. 
• Seek support: Share your resolutions with friends, family, or coworkers. Regular encouragement and accountability can keep you motivated throughout the year. 

Here at The Baltimore Station, we’re welcoming the new year by setting both personal and organizational goals that support our own well-being and the community we serve. One of our goals for 2026 is to offer our services to even more veterans and continue making great connections to our Maryland community and beyond. 

With thoughtful planning and support, 2026 can be a year of meaningful growth and positive change for all of us! 

Baltimore Station Clients Celebrate Army-Navy Game Weekend

The Baltimore Station had a fantastic time celebrating one of the biggest rivalries in college football. Five clients joined longtime supporters M&T Bank for a lively pre-game celebration, followed by the chance to watch the sold out Army-Navy game. Our Executive Director Kim Callari was alongside clients, staff and board members, sharing in the excitement and camaraderie of this iconic event. It was a weekend full of energy, team spirit, and smiles as our clients experienced this memorable game day tradition. Despite Army controlling much of the game, Navy rallied at the finish to secure a dramatic 17–16 victory – an ending worthy of one of college football’s greatest rivalries. 

In addition to attending the game, several staff members participated in Army-Navy tailgates around town to connect with fans and raise support for The Baltimore Station. Our team joined events hosted by the Travis Manion Foundation and Jimmy’s Famous Seafood Tail Goat, sharing in the festive atmosphere of America’s favorite teams. Staff members Lilly and Allie welcomed tailgaters to drop donations in voting boxes for the team they were rooting for, blending friendly rivalry with meaningful support for our mission. 

Now that this exciting weekend has wrapped up, The Baltimore Station is turning its focus to our annual Super Bowl Party – a fun-filled, recovery-friendly football watch event for the men we serve. We are looking for donations and volunteers to make this event a success. Contributions can be made through our website with “Super Bowl 2026” as a reference, or you can reach out to lfrazier@baltimorestation.org to learn about other ways to get involved. Your support helps ensure our clients can enjoy a safe, joyful, and community-centered game day experience. 

The Baltimore Station Remembers Pearl Harbor

On December 5, the staff and residents of The Baltimore Station hosted our Pearl Harbor remembrance ceremony. While the day was solemn, it was a profound opportunity for us to come together and remember a significant moment in history.  

We were grateful to not only have several Commanders from The American Legion National Headquarters – including the State Commander – join us for the ceremony, but also their generosity, providing blankets and duffle bags filled with essential items for every resident. We are also grateful to the Maryland Air National Guard, who provided and served dinner to our clients and guests. 

Well Wishes from The Baltimore Station

Wishing all of our volunteers, donors, and community supporters a joyful and safe holiday season! We are deeply grateful for the encouragement, generosity, and time you have shared with The Baltimore Station and the men we serve this year. 

To our incredible volunteers, THANK YOU for the hours, energy, and care you bring to our community. Volunteering here goes beyond filling an important role – it’s about connecting with the men we serve and showing them that even strangers can be a source of support and encouragement. Your presence brings the love and spirit of the broader community into the daily lives of those at The Baltimore Station. 

To our generous donors, THANK YOU for providing the critical resources that allow us to support these men on their journeys of growth and self-improvement. Your contributions make trips outside the city, therapeutic activities, nutritious meals, and countless other opportunities possible. From Giving Tuesday and private fundraisers to special events, your support ensures that we can continue delivering life-changing care to veterans in need. 

To all our supporters, THANK YOU for believing in our mission and trusting our program to care for veterans. Whether through letters of encouragement or direct collaboration to improve our programs, your involvement strengthens our work and helps create meaningful change. 

As we close out the year and look ahead, we send our heartfelt thanks and warmest wishes. We are excited to continue working together in the new year to further our mission of turning lives around! 

What's Coming Up

B’More Healthy Expo 

DATE: Saturday, February 7th

10:00am-4:00pm 

LOCATION: The Baltimore Convention Center 

1 W Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 

Stop by our booth at the 17th Annual B'More Healthy Expo where we will be connecting with people who may need our services and those who wish to support them. The B’More Healthy Expo offers something for every age and every interest and engages, entertains, educates and empowers families to take actions and make choices to be healthier. Check out their website here for more information.

Monthly Giving Program