Inspired by military roots, Donovan supports veterans

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ST. LOUIS -- Having grown up in a military family and with a father who was often half a world away on deployments for various missions, Brendan Donovan is very familiar with the strains and struggles that loved ones must endure.

Every time he meets military veterans, Donovan not only listens to their stories and tries to figure out ways to help, but he also tells them how his father, U.S. Army Col. James (Jim) Donovan, had deployments to Lebanon, Iraq, Korea, Afghanistan and Germany while in command of intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance duties and teaching soldiers adaptability techniques needed for combat readiness.

Donovan knows that those returning from making the ultimate sacrifices for the well-being of their country can often be overlooked and forgotten. Oftentimes, their struggles in readjusting to everyday life are difficult. Therefore, Donovan has made it a goal to work with local and national organizations, such as The Kaufman Fund, so that military veterans can receive the assistance and care they need after deployments.

“Unfortunately, that’s often the case where these soldiers come back and they are forgotten,” Donovan said wistfully. “We live in the best country in the world, and we have all of these incredible freedoms. I’m able to go and play a kid’s game for my job because of what guys like my dad, and men and women all around this city have done for our country. So, I think it’s so important to raise awareness about what they have done and what they are going through when they return.”

Donovan, who missed his second straight game and fourth in the past seven with foot and groin soreness, has partnered with The Kaufman Fund, a Missouri-based outreach program started in 1990 by Vietnam War veteran Ralph Kaufman. It continued under his younger brother, Wayne Kaufman, a Bronze Star Medal recipient for his work in Vietnam.

The Kaufman Fund helps veterans find legal referrals, dental care, mental health services, chiropractic referrals, food services, Christmas tree programs and a Winter Warm-Up program, where veterans are given winter coats, hats and gloves to prepare for winter. The Kaufman Fund has helped thousands of in-need veterans in Missouri and Illinois in the 35 years the program has been functioning.

“Well, no one does exactly what we do because we basically have eight free programs that aren’t offered to veterans at the VA,” said Kaufman, who attained the rank of sergeant during his time in the U.S. Army. “Our biggest program is dental care because most people don’t know that veterans don’t get dental care from the VA unless they are 100 percent disabled. So, we offer free dental care to veterans. We’ve partnered with dental schools in St. Louis and Illinois, and that’s where we send the veterans first to get their cleanings and treatment plans. If the school can take care of it, we pay whatever that fee is. If the work needed is extensive, we’re blessed with about 20 dentists who work with us either pro bono or at reduced rates.

“The need for dental care among veterans is enormous because some of these guys haven’t been to a dentist in 15 years, and they don’t have insurance or a lot of money to pay for it. So, we try to help them get the (dental) care that they need.”

Kaufman has worked with KMOX broadcaster Tom Ackerman, new Cardinals Hall of Famer Al Hrbosky and NFL Hall of Famer Jackie Smith to raise awareness about the needs of veterans. Kaufman met Donovan at Busch Stadium when the Cardinals' utility defender was named a 2024 finalist for the Bob Feller Act of Valor award. That award honors MLB players who embody the values of integrity and dedication to serving the country, much like its namesake, Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller, who was also a World War II veteran.

“One of the coolest programs [The Kaufman Fund] does is ‘Trees for Vets,’ giving out Christmas trees to veterans and their families,” said Donovan, who has also worked with Team Red, White and Blue to aid veterans and their families. “The Kaufman Fund has also been involved in the ‘Food For Vets’ program since 2014, and six times a year, they will give away a week’s worth of groceries. They also run a ‘Taxes for Vets’ program, helping them get all their tax stuff in order.

"Their service outreach is 90 miles around The Gateway Arch, and they do so much good for veterans. I just want to use my platform to help grow that program because they do so much for the veteran community. Those veterans sacrificed for this country, so it’s always going to be important to me to do what I can for them.”