RECOGNIZING OUR VOLUNTEERS

At Irreverent Warriors, we celebrate our volunteers, and we want to give a big shout-out to all the amazing people who selflessly dedicate their time and energy to our cause. They are the backbone of our organization. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to achieve our mission of bringing veterans together through humor and camaraderie.

One of our standout volunteers is Ms. Ellen Crane, who joined IW as a volunteer in San Diego in 2018. Since then, she has taken on more responsibilities and has expanded her reach to the national level. Ellen coordinated every hike across the country in 2021, which is an impressive feat of organization and dedication. She’s also a Blue Star Mother (BSM) with a son on active duty, and she works closely with BSM chapters across the country to recruit volunteers for Silkies Hikes in cities where IW needs them. Ms. Ellen received a well-deserved standing ovation from the National Conference audience when she was awarded for her contributions to our organization.

Another dedicated volunteer is Lauren Woods, who has been with us since her first hike in Round Rock in 2019. Lauren is a nurse by training and a caretaker by nature, and she sincerely believes in our mission. As she says, “One day, one conversation, one hug could save a life.” She’s engaged to be married to one of our favorite IW vets, and we’re grateful for her ongoing support.

Kat Miller is another volunteer who has made a significant impact on our organization. She joined IW in 2020 and fell in love with our mission after seeing firsthand the value of connection and friendship among veterans on the hikes. Kat loves working behind the scenes to support Silkies Hikes, and she helped coordinate six of them in 2022. She’s also from a big military family and has a deep understanding of our mission and the veterans we serve.

Britt Zicarelli is a multitasking mom who has been with us since 2021. She got involved with IW through a high school friend who is an Army veteran, and now she helps coordinate hikes in several states from the comfort of her home in Jacksonville Beach, FL. Britt’s dedication and hard work have made her an invaluable member of our team.

Tifiney Rey is another superstar volunteer who supports hikes in 13 states in the Great Plains and Pacific NW while also serving on the IW training and development team. She has a deep love and respect for our mission, having seen the impact IW has had on her husband, military friends, and community. Tifiney is a 20-year USAF spouse and a busy mom, and we’re grateful for her dedication to our cause.

Finally, we want to recognize Jenn Budd, who has been with us since 2018. Jenn isn’t a veteran herself, but she comes from a huge military family, and her brother Dan, a Marine veteran, introduced her to our organization. Jenn now helps improve IW as part of our training and development team, and we love her irreverence and sense of humor.

We are grateful to have such dedicated and passionate volunteers, and we couldn’t do what we do without them. Let’s all take a moment to applaud these amazing individuals for their selfless work and commitment to our cause. Thank you for everything you do, and happy Volunteer Month!