For Veterans
Any veteran, any branch, any era. There is no cost to you — not for the stick, not for the shipping, not ever.
Apply for Your StickPlease reach out to the Veterans Crisis Line — call or text 988, then press 1, or chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net. They're available 24/7. We want to make sure you have immediate support — your stick will still be here, and so will we. You can apply before, during, or after reaching out for help. There's no wrong order.
Who Qualifies
We don't ask about discharge type, disability status, or combat experience. If you served, you qualify to apply. Veterans who are struggling most are prioritized first — but no one is turned away.
Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, Space Force, National Guard, Reserves — all branches of U.S. military service.
Vietnam, Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, peacetime service — your era of service doesn't matter. You served, you qualify.
The stick, the shipping, the certificate — all covered by donations. You will never pay a single dollar. Not now, not ever.
How It Works
Every veteran who applies will receive a stick. Because our carvers' time is limited, we prioritize those who need it most. Everyone else goes on our waiting list and gets matched as soon as a carver is available — usually within a few months.
These priority levels are internal — you never need to label yourself or prove your need. Your application tells us what we need to know.
Veterans experiencing PTSD episodes, suicidal ideation, homelessness, recent trauma, or acute mental health challenges. If this is you — please apply and please reach out to the Crisis Line too.
Veterans working through depression, anxiety, disability adjustment, identity loss after service, isolation, or a difficult transition to civilian life.
Veterans who are doing okay but seeking connection, purpose, or something tangible to mark what they've been through and where they're headed.
Veterans in a good place who want to be part of this community. Your stick is coming — and when you're ready, we'd love to have you involved as a donor or carver too.
The Intake Process
We read every application personally. Here's exactly what to expect from the moment you submit to the moment your stick arrives.
Fill out the application below. Take your time — especially on the story sections. The more you share, the more your stick will reflect who you are and what you've been through. There are no wrong answers.
Your application goes to our intake team — not a bot, not an automated system. A person reads every word. We assess where you are, how urgent your need is, and which carver in our guild is the best match for you and your story.
Once approved, you're matched with a guild carver whose style, background, and spirit fits your story. If you're a priority match, this happens immediately. If you're on the waiting list, we'll tell you your estimated wait time — and we'll keep you updated.
With your story in hand, your carver goes to the trail or forest to find the right piece of wood. They're not looking for just any branch — they're looking for yours. The grain, the shape, the weight of it — all of it is chosen with you in mind.
Your carver works by hand — knives, gouges, a rotary tool for detail — coaxing a spirit face from the wood that reflects who you are and what you've carried. You'll receive progress photos along the way. You'll watch it come to life before it ever arrives at your door.
Before it ships, your stick is sanded to 600 grit, finished with five coats of pure tung oil, and hand-burnished with paste wax. The result is a finish that feels like part of the wood itself — warm, natural, and built to last a lifetime of walking.
Your stick ships free with a personal certificate — its name, its virtues, the story of the wood it came from, and a handwritten note from your carver. This is the beginning of the next long walk. You don't have to take it alone.
The Application
This isn't a form — it's a conversation. Take your time. There are no wrong answers and nothing you share will be used against you. The more honest you are, the more your stick will mean.
This section helps us understand how urgently you need support so we can prioritize accordingly. Everything you share is read with care and kept completely confidential.
1 = I'm really struggling right now · 5 = I'm doing well
Your carver will read every word of this before picking up a single tool. This is the most important part of the application.
You don't have to share a photo — but if you do, your carver will look at it before they pick up a single tool. Knowing whose hands will hold this stick changes everything about how it's carved. It can be any photo — recent, from your service, or anything that feels like you.
Your carver makes the final call based on your story, but we'll pass any preferences along.
Veterans who share their stories inspire others to apply. You'll review and approve everything before anything goes public.
We review every application personally and respond within 7 days. No automated rejections — every story gets read.
Thank you for trusting us with your story. We'll read every word.
Expect to hear from us within 7 days. In the meantime — keep walking. We're right behind you.