A Frankfort Boy Started Honoring Veterans At Age 5

The great thing about helping is that there's no age limit on how young or how old you need to be to make a difference in someone's life.

Just ask 10-year-old Evan Hunter from Frankfort. He's been doing his part to help veterans in Maine and all over the country for half his life already!

That's right, Evan, whose grandfather served in the military, was just 5 when he asked his mom, Ada, what he could do to help veterans know just how much their service to this country is appreciated.

His mom, Ada, says it all started about 5 years ago, during the pandemic.

"During COVID, our family started buying gift cards on Veterans Day to hand to local veterans. We became addicted to the fun, and Evan decided he was going to start fundraising money so we could buy more gift cards and thank more veterans."

"As we have grown, we have started to raise more money than we could spend on gift cards in one day! We have made wonderful connections with other veteran organizations who have taken Evan under their wing and shown him how 'cool' it can be to help out."

"Evan is the very proud sponsor of the October birthdays for veterans residing at the Maine Veterans Home in Bangor."

Evan's mom says he loved to volunteer for veterans causes when he gets the chance, and loves to make donations to veterans organizations using his own hard-earned money, too.

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"He is an active participant in several volunteer days throughout the year with various organizations where he helps wrap Christmas presents, pack boxes for our troops, hand out Thanksgiving meals, cooks lunches, and socializes."

"Evan has a running list of veteran addresses to whom he sends birthday cards, Veterans Day cards, and Christmas cards. Last year Evan sent about 2500 cards throughout the whole year. In 2026, Evan plans to send 5000 Christmas cards, as well as his monthly birthday and Veterans Day cards."

"Evan sends cards to 47 different states, and he hopes to make connections in the last 3 states in the coming year!"

Evan's mom says that folks are welcome to send them the address of a veteran to add to the list, and they will make sure that veteran gets a card.

Evan's Veterans Project, Debbie Callahan

Just a couple of weekends ago, Evan helped organize his first community card signing party at the American Legion Post 93 in Bucksport. Dozens of folks of all ages and from all over came to join in the effort.

"Seriously, we thought we might have to beg people to take time out of their Saturday. But instead we had tables filled and overflowing with people from Bucksport, Orland, Orrington, Verona Island, Frankfort, Searsport, Palmyra, and North Carolina who came to fill out cards for our local veterans and deployed military members. In total, we completed 775 cards!"

His most notable project is his cornhole tournament, which is how he raises the bulk of his money each year. In the past 4 years, he has raised $29,000 for local veterans.

You, too, can make a difference in a veteran's life this year by joining the effort!

Evan's 5th Annual Veterans Cornhole Tournament is scheduled to take place at the Sports Arena in Hermon on Sunday, September 20th. Registration takes place at 9 AM, and bags fly at 10 AM. We're told there are a few more lane sponsors available, and he's still taking raffle items and donations.

The 10-year-old just received the honor of "Humanitarian of the Year" from the American Legion of Maine this year.

Evan's mom says it doesn't take a lot to make a huge impact in someone's life

"Evan is an inspiration to us all, and a reminder that it only takes one very small gesture, or some time well spent with our veterans, to make a difference. It doesn’t take a lot of money, and it is something so easy that we all have the ability to do if we choose."

You can find out more information on this or any of the other fundraisers Evan is putting together by checking out the Evan's Veterans Project Facebook page. You can also email him at evansveterans@gmail.com.

Way to go, Evan! Keep up the good work, and thanks for reminding us all how easy it can be to spread good in this world, at any age!

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