Marine Captain Zach Hollingsworth, a former Centerville High School basketball coach and history teacher, co-founded small batch bourbon distillery Freedom Whiskey Co. in 2017. He maintained his Marines Semper Fi commitment (a shortened version of “Semper Fidelis,” which is Latin for “Always Faithful”) by honoring his fellow veterans with an annual appreciation event.
Zach’s previous wife, Krista, and his parents have stayed “Always Faithful” and continued the appreciation event after his death in 2021 following years of battling depression and PTSD. The seventh annual Capt. Zach Hollingsworth Memorial Veteran’s Day Event in November 2024 raised more than $64,000 for veteran organizations.
“Zach's main mission when starting the company was not just to create a great tasting bourbon, but more importantly, to help and support veterans and their families,” Krista shares. “We had no idea how much the event would grow each year and how much of an impact it would truly make.”
The November Veteran’s Day event also launched a renovation project for a local Vietnam Veteran, Mike Vanderveen, who lost both legs after stepping on a landmine.
The originators of the project, Springboro’s Willow Creek Developers and Builders, have long supported veterans.
“I’ve always had the desire to serve where I feel like our country fails to support, which is most evident with our veterans,” Nathan Arndts, COO of Willow Creek explains.
Nathan and his wife, Tish, who owns Willow Creek, worked with Krista to announce their new initiative to offer a room renovation for a veteran at the event and solicit nominees. Fred Rojas, the senior vice commander of VFW Post 9550 in Centerville, volunteered to create the nomination process and serve on the selection panel.
Vietnam Army Veteran Mark Kucharski heard about the initiative and knew exactly who to nominate – his friend Mike – who was ultimately selected as the winner by the panel of volunteers.
“When we read about his accident and living conditions, we all knew he was the right choice,” Nathan shares.
Willow Creek renovated a bathroom in Mike’s Moraine home for free to enlarge the space and ensure it utilized accessibility upgrades to work specifically for Mike. The estimated cost was $40,000, and what should have been a four-week project was completed in only 14 days.
Fred coordinated with VFW Post 3438, who donated money for Mike and his wife, Ollie, to stay in a hotel during the renovation. He also worked with the Vietnam Veterans Association and an anonymous donor who provided new linens and bathroom essentials for Mike.
While dozens of volunteers participated in the effort, Fred explains that Nathan was the main point of contact and an instrumental part of the project.
“He’s done all the coordinating of finding donors to provide all the supplies and material needed for the bathroom remodel,” Fred says.
Willow Creek completed the demolition, carpentry, electrical, drywall, painting and more. Korrect Plumbing donated labor, plumbing and HVAC materials. Mannington Flooring donated new flooring materials and Cutting Edge Flooring provided labor for installation. Winsupply donated all plumbing fixtures and The Barrel supplied food.
Appliance Gallery provided a new dryer for Mike and his family, Triton Steam Cleaning offered cleaning services and Freedom Whiskey Co. donated food, labor and support for the project.
Nathan says Willow Creek will participate in future projects with Freedom Whiskey Co., and noted that Krista motivated them to help others.
“If more people get involved, we can hopefully grow this to help change more lives,” Nathan tells us.
Krista emphasizes the importance of community, connection, understanding and family.
“It’s about coming together to support one another and recognizing the sacrifices our veterans make,” she continues. “It has given me the motivation to keep moving forward to do everything I can to help the veteran community and just people in general.”
For more information about the annual Capt. Zach Hollingsworth Memorial Veteran’s Day Event, visit HaveaShotofFreedom.com.To learn about Willow Creek Developers and Builders, visit WillowCreekBuilds.com.