LOVELAND, Ohio — A Loveland man is on a mission to buy every veteran in the U.S. a beer.
“Essentially what I do is take $10 donations online so I can help buy veterans beers at craft breweries,” said Matt DeMaris, a realtor who created a nonprofit called Vets & Brews, working with craft breweries like Narrow Path Brewing Co. in Loveland.
What You Need To Know
- Vets & Brews is a nonprofit founded by Matt DeMaris, with a mission to buy every veteran in the U.S. a free beer from a local brewery
- DeMaris was inspired by his father and wife, who both served in the Army
- Money left over from buying beers is donated to Patriot's Landing, a veteran's woodworking shop and center in Williamstown, KY
DeMaris isn’t a veteran himself - he’s a realtor but two of the most important people in his life served in the military: his father and wife.
His father, David DeMaris, volunteered on honor flights that take veterans to Washington, D.C. He also helped the homeless and worked with nonprofits before passing away during the pandemic.
His son says he got inspired after organizing an event for veteran-owned businesses and his real estate company, with the idea of buying each vet who showed up a beer
“We bought about 100 beers for veterans that day,” DeMaris said. “I decided right then that I was going to keep this going. It felt good, so I just kept it rolling.”
It didn’t take long for the staff at DeMaris’ favorite bar, Narrow Path Brewing Company in Loveland, to join the effort.
“I thought it was a great idea for the Vets & Brews program because we have a lot of veterans that we’ve identified here even prior to having Matt start this program,” said Narrow Path’s Russ Siebenthaler. He said some vets end up paying it forward.
“It’s always neat to see the veteran’s eyes light up in amazement that they have a beer prepaid for them by someone else,” Siebenthaler said. “They’ll be so thankful that someone was thinking about them, both the brewery and the individual that bought the beer that they’ll prepay for someone else.”
DeMaris said some have worried about mixing veterans and alcohol.
“Veteran suicide is a very serious issue but I’ve had other people at the same time say that hey sometimes sitting down with another veteran having a beer is an easy way to open up conversations to let their brothers know that they’re feeling a certain way,” DeMaris said. “So it’s kind of a double-edged sword.”
The money left over from buying brews is donated to Patriot’s Landing, a faith-based veterans’ workshop outside Williamstown, Kentucky.
“We’re a faith-based veterans workshop centered around woodworking,” said Patrick Kanewske, a retired Marine colonel who’s a director at Patriot’s Landing.
Volunteer vets from all branches of the military make a variety of wood crafted treasures, including flags, crosses and burial flag cases. The products are sold in their store onsite and online. The flag cases are also sold at Arlington National Cemetery.
“We’re very proud of that part,” Kanewske said.
Patriot’s Landing also features a library and programs for veterans, including those dealing with PTSD and addiction.
“People are reborn when they come in here and do these works,” Kanewske said.
They’ve received more than $11,000 from Vets & Brews.
“These donations that come into us really help our programs that help our veterans,” Kanewske said.
If DeMaris has his way, there will be a lot more donations to Patriot’s Landing, and many more beers bought for veterans.
“I’d like to make this a nationwide effort,” DeMaris said. “I want this nonprofit to grow nationwide. My mission is to buy every veteran in this country a beer and I really think I can do it once people learn about what I’m doing.”