Today we’d like to introduce you to Hank Tolman.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I got out of the Army in late 2014 and Danica and I decided to move back to Utah. I had a really rough time transitioning into the civilian life and had a hard time making friends or finding things to do. I didn’t leave the house much and I was struggling with depression, anxiety, and PTSD. I had been able to find a couple of friends, and all were veterans. In late 2022, Danica had the idea to host a place for veterans to hang out, get together, and have fun. A place that was free of alcohol and could help veterans avoid the noise and crowds that make us anxious. We envisioned a place similar to a USO, but for all veterans and not just in an airport. We decided to start by hosting it in the office space of our business. The Veterans Lounge was born.
We started with a small group of veterans and have grown to hundreds of members. We host weekly Vet Nights on Thursday nights with food, games, TV, friends, and fun. We have a group of vets that meets weekly to play DND. We have done a 5k, service activities, and participated in many community events. We host a cemetery to cemetery 6-mile ruck march each Memorial day and we have a huge celebration every Veterans Day. We’ve worked with several companies and individuals to provide gifts, clothes, hygiene kits, and even a roof for deserving veterans. We’ve taken trips to professional rugby and NBA games. We are excited to continue to grow and serve our veteran community!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
With 7 kids and a small business to run, the Veteran’s Lounge has often had to take a backseat. We’ve struggled finding donors, volunteers, and getting the word out to vets in our community. We’ve hit bumps in the road, and there will certainly be more to come, but we will work them all and come out stronger on the other side.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We own and operate Accena SWPPP Services, a SWPPP services company that does environmental services and consulting for construction and industrial manufacturing companies. We are a small business with 27 employees and we operate in 6 states in the Mountain West. We help our clients navigate the complex environmental requirements they face so they can focus on what they do best, build and create!
Our passion project is The Veterans Lounge; a 501(c)(19) Veteran’s Non-Profit organization. We are a place where warriors unwind. We offer a place for veterans to feel safe, relax, and make friends.
How do you think about luck?
We have been extremely lucky to find and work with some extraordinary veterans and volunteers that love making a differences in people’s lives.
Pricing:
- Membership – $25/yr
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thevetlounge.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theveteransloungeutahcounty/
- Other: https://chat.whatsapp.com/FNzwqEOpDQf1hK2INb8IjC
