Focus on a Veteran Owned Business: Pin-Ups for Vets

How to Help 'Pin-Ups For Vets' Bring Comfort and Support to Veterans

Pin-Ups For Vets has many missions. From sending love overseas to troops deployed abroad to visiting hospitalized veterans at their bedsides, the organization raises money for veterans in need. 

But these aren't a bunch of playboy models who don't fully understand the sacrifices veterans make every day. The models of Pin-Ups For Vets are veterans themselves. They are combat veterans, Blackhawk Helicopter pilots, Navy judge advocates general, Army doctors. They know what it means to deploy and serve. The 2022 calendar pin-ups collectively have 100 years of service.

"One of the things I love about that organization is that it really shines a light on the service of our female Veterans," says Pin-Ups For Vets founder Gina Elise. "It's a way to start telling their stories because people see their pictures in the calendar and want to know more. What did she do? How long did she serve? Why did she join? One of our female veteran calendar models just got a letter from someone thanking her for 'setting an example for young women in this country.' I think that what we do shows that strong is beautiful."

The nonprofit Pin-Ups For Vets produces a fundraising 1940s-style calendar that features female veterans as the models every year. For the ladies of Pin-Ups For Vets, it allows these female veterans to once again embrace their femininity. According to its founder, many of the ladies say being involved gives them a renewed sense of purpose after transitioning out of the military. It has given them a sense of community and a mission to give back. 

But the annual Pin-Ups For Vets calendar is just the beginning. Proceeds from the calendar sales go towards providing equipment and facilities for veterans at home and abroad. The Pin-Up veterans send care packages and calendars to deployed troops while purchasing necessary medical and rehabilitation equipment for VA centers. 

"We like to impact the military community in multiple ways," Elise says. "From boosting morale for U.S. troops across the globe with care packages to helping veterans in the hospital by donating 'wish-list rehab equipment to physical therapy departments to showing appreciation for ill and injured veterans with our hospital visits and gifts, to helping homeless veterans with things they might need to get back on their feet, to doing pamper days for military spouses, to offering female Veterans the opportunity to continue to do 'service after service' by volunteering with us." 

The Pin-Ups are also on a mission to visit every VA hospital in the 50 states and U.S. territories. To date, they have visited over 15,000 veterans in VA hospitals and clinics nationwide. The organization has also donated more than $90,000 that went toward rehab equipment for multiple VA facilities all over the country.

"We are usually on a 50-state in-person VA hospital tour but had to put that on hold due to the pandemic," says Elise. "I love meeting with the veterans in person, but we had to adapt due to the times. We are temporarily shipping morale-boosting care packages instead for the hospital staff to pass out on our behalf. And even though we can't be there at the hospitals in person, I know the gifts are still putting smiles on the faces of the hospitalized veterans. I get really nice emails back from the hospital staff saying how much the patients love the calendars." 

Gina Elise and her cadre of pin-ups, which includes calendar girls from previous years as well as volunteers who have yet to be featured in a calendar, also respond to the issues of the day. On the VA campus in West Los Angeles, homeless veterans have built a makeshift city where they can set up their tents without fear of retribution from the Los Angeles Police Department. 

The Pin-Ups were there to deliver hot meals to the homeless veterans. 

"I felt like we needed to do something special for these veterans living on the sidewalk in tents on Veterans Row," Elise says. "I thought that even though it's a small gesture, a hot meal for them would be nourishing. It was nice to see how much they enjoyed it. I think they just didn't expect that was going to happen that day, and it was a pleasant surprise. They expressed so much thanks to us. It was an honor for us to do it. They should not be living in tents on the sidewalk." 

The organization also has purchased housewares like dish sets, silverware, glasses, pots and pans, towels, and kitchen utensils to give to formerly homeless female veterans who are getting back on their feet. At a time when the future of many is uncertain, having these small but necessary comforts is a real booster to anyone restarting their civilian lives. 

"We take a very multi-pronged approach to give back. We are heading into our 16th year of supporting the veteran and military community. It has become my purpose. It's my mission to help improve the lives of those who have stepped up to serve our country. There's nothing that has been more fulfilling for me. I really connect with the veteran community. I've met the most wonderful people because of my work with this incredible community. I get to see resilience, courage, work ethic, service over self, teamwork, etc., on a very regular basis when I work with the veteran and military community, and it truly inspires me." 

"I can't believe it's been almost 16 years. Time flies when you love what you do, that's for sure. I feel really proud of the work we have done so far, and I look forward to what is up ahead!" 

Veterans interested in being part of Pin-Ups for Vets should start with the organization's website. Any veterans interested in being part of the next calendar should follow Pin-Ups for Vets on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and keep an eye out for the next casting call.

Those interested in purchasing the latest calendar or those from previous years can support Pin-Ups For Vets by buying from the organization's fundraising store. You can also make tax-deductible donations by clicking here.