Central STL News

Having grown up in a military family, St. Louis Cardinals player Brendan Donovan is familiar with the challenges faced by families of service members. His father, U.S. Army Col. James (Jim) Donovan, was deployed to countries including Lebanon, Iraq, Korea, Afghanistan and Germany for intelligence and surveillance missions.

Donovan has made it a priority to support veterans as they return from service and face difficulties adjusting to civilian life. He works with organizations such as The Kaufman Fund, which provides services to veterans in Missouri and Illinois.

“Unfortunately, that’s often the case where these soldiers come back and they are forgotten,” Donovan said wistfully. “We live in the best country in the world, and we have all of these incredible freedoms. I’m able to go and play a kid’s game for my job because of what guys like my dad, and men and women all around this city have done for our country. So, I think it’s so important to raise awareness about what they have done and what they are going through when they return.”

The Kaufman Fund was founded in 1990 by Vietnam War veteran Ralph Kaufman and continued under his brother Wayne Kaufman, who received a Bronze Star Medal for his service in Vietnam. The organization offers programs not typically available through the VA, such as dental care provided through partnerships with dental schools in St. Louis and Illinois or local dentists working pro bono or at reduced rates.

“Well, no one does exactly what we do because we basically have eight free programs that aren’t offered to veterans at the VA,” said Kaufman, who attained the rank of sergeant during his time in the U.S. Army. “Our biggest program is dental care because most people don’t know that veterans don’t get dental care from the VA unless they are 100 percent disabled. So, we offer free dental care to veterans. We’ve partnered with dental schools in St. Louis and Illinois, and that’s where we send the veterans first to get their cleanings and treatment plans. If the school can take care of it, we pay whatever that fee is. If the work needed is extensive, we’re blessed with about 20 dentists who work with us either pro bono or at reduced rates.

“The need for dental care among veterans is enormous because some of these guys haven’t been to a dentist in 15 years, and they don’t have insurance or a lot of money to pay for it. So, we try to help them get the (dental) care that they need.”

The Kaufman Fund also provides legal referrals; mental health services; chiropractic referrals; food assistance; Christmas tree programs; winter clothing distribution; tax help; as well as other forms of support within roughly 90 miles around The Gateway Arch.

Kaufman has collaborated with KMOX broadcaster Tom Ackerman along with former athletes Al Hrbosky—recently inducted into Cardinals Hall of Fame—and NFL Hall of Famer Jackie Smith on veteran outreach efforts.

Donovan met Kaufman at Busch Stadium after being named a finalist for the Bob Feller Act of Valor award—a recognition given annually to MLB players demonstrating integrity and dedication similar to Hall-of-Famer Bob Feller's values during World War II service.

“One of the coolest programs [The Kaufman Fund] does is ‘Trees for Vets,’ giving out Christmas trees to veterans and their families,” said Donovan, who has also worked with Team Red, White & Blue on behalf of military families.“The Kaufman Fund has also been involved in the ‘Food For Vets’ program since 2014,and six times a year,theygive awaya week’s worthof groceries.They also runa‘TaxesforVets’programhelping themgetalltheirtaxstuffinorder.

"Their service outreach is 90 miles around The Gateway Arch,andthey do so much goodforveterans.Ijustwanttousemyplatformtohelpgrowthatprogrambecausethey dosomuchfortheveterancommunity.Thoseveteranssacrificedforthiscountry,sosit’salwaysgoingtobeimportanttomedowhaticanforthem.”