Merit Restorations’ Veterans Day gift goes to Boulder Crest Foundation, whose programs include peer-led training and a place for families to reconnect in southern Arizona.
In the grasslands of southern Arizona, combat veterans and first responders can spend a week with peers who understand the demands of service. At Boulder Crest Foundation’s 130-acre property in Sonoita, that first week is followed by months of support. The program is free for accepted participants.
Merit Restorations, a Virginia-based property restoration company, announced Nov. 10 that it donated $50,000 to Boulder Crest Foundation in recognition of Veterans Day. The nonprofit serves military members, veterans, first responders and their families.
“We owe them our continued support, our investment in their futures, and the opportunity to thrive,” said Sam Chapman, CEO of Merit Restorations, in the announcement.
Boulder Crest’s Warrior PATHH program begins with a week of on-site training led by combat veterans and first responders. Participants stay connected with the team afterward for continued training and support. In Sonoita, the foundation also offers no-cost lodging to eligible combat veteran and Gold Star families through its Family Rest & Reconnection program. Families can spend a few nights together, walk the trails or simply rest. The foundation reported 411 family-program guests at its Arizona location in 2025.“One way to honor someone’s service is to keep showing up for them. That can mean listening when they’re ready to talk, or making space for their family to spend time together,” said Bruce Petillo, founder of Heartitude.
For someone who has spent years answering other people’s calls for help, sitting down with peers can be a chance to talk about what they’ve carried home. In Sonoita, the foundation gives people time for those conversations and families a place to be together.
Explore Boulder Crest’s Arizona programs