Alumni Meetup Recap: STS Kickball Social
July 28, 2026
On July 26, Shelter to Soldier alumni, veterans, service dogs, family members, and staff came together at Vista High School for an afternoon of kickball, connection, and plenty of friendly competition.
We are incredibly grateful to Vista High School for generously lending us the field, made possible through alumni Donna and Leah Powers. Once everyone arrived, the Shelter to Soldier team got set up, and Kayla went over the rules before the group participated in a practice round to get warmed up and ready for the game.
Despite the summer heat, everyone brought great energy to the field. Veterans and alumni worked together, cheered one another on, and enjoyed the opportunity to connect outside of their regular routines. The Shelter to Soldier team was even joined by Tim’s wife, Jennifer, who jumped in to play alongside us. Dan also stepped into “Super Dad” mode, watching one of his kiddos read while the other took his place on the veterans’ team.
The veterans quickly showed off their impressive skills and gave the Shelter to Soldier team some serious competition. By the end of the game, the veterans came out on top with a well-earned victory!
Meanwhile, the service dogs did exactly what they do best. They relaxed comfortably on the sidelines with the help of volunteers, taking in the sights and sounds while their veterans enjoyed time on the field. Their calm presence was a wonderful reminder that connection and community are just as important as the work accomplished during training.
We were honored to be joined by:
- USA Veteran Becca
- USN Veteran Dan
- USN Veteran Xhavier
- USA Veteran Mike
- USN Veteran Mark
- USMC Veteran Kieshawn
- USA Veteran Dominic
- USAF Veteran Donna
- USMC Veteran Stephanie
The positive feedback after the event said it all. Mike shared that he “loved the event,” while Tim told us, “We had so much fun yesterday. My legs are sore!”
We are so thankful to everyone who joined us, played, supported one another, and helped make the day such a memorable one. A special thank-you goes to Vista High School and Donna for helping make this meetup possible.
Congratulations to the veterans’ team on their win! We are already looking forward to the next opportunity to bring our Shelter to Soldier community together.