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Volunteer With Austin Platoon

Platoon Summary

We want to empower local veterans, their families, and our community to work alongside each other, inspire, and exact positive change in the process. Our goal is to foster hope and enrich each person’s life who comes in contact with a TMC Blue Shirt. In Q1 of 2023, we will begin an operation focusing on the Pleasant Hill neighborhood in South Austin, TX.


We will be working with community partners within this neighborhood that have a long-standing track record of engaging with community members. So far, we have three solidified partners: St. Elmo Elementary, Central Texas Food Bank, and Keep Austin Beautiful. We serve with St. Elmo Elementary in the Pleasant Hill neighborhood (St. Elmo’s adjoining neighborhood).


The school has 305 students, ranging from pre-K through 5th grade. Our Platoon Leader, Kris Vandenberg, has served the school with his food truck and continues to work out in their parking lot and playgrounds with outdoor bootcamps. St. Elmo qualifies for the AISD Community Eligibility Program free or reduced breakfast and lunch program which many students take part in.


Their vertical pathway leads to Travis and Crockett Early College High School. There are 8 staff members dedicated to the ‘Green Team’ and 8 families who regularly show up for certain improvements and projects designated by the school.

Upcoming events

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All Events

Veterans Day of Service 2025

Location: VFW 4443 7614 Thomas Springs Rd Austin TX 78736

November 8, 2025

10:00 AM - 01:00 PM

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VetBBQFest Support

Location: VFW Post #4443 7614 Thomas Springs Rd. Austin TX 78736

November 15, 2025

01:00 PM - 07:00 PM

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MLK Legacy Project with Casey Elementary

Location: Casey Elementary 9400 Texas Oaks Dr. Austin TX 78748

January 19, 2026

10:00 AM - 01:00 PM

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Operation: Save the Soil with VFW 4443 Pena Community Garden

Location: VFW Post #4443 7614 Thomas Springs Rd. Austin TX 78736

February 21, 2026

10:00 AM - 01:00 PM

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Earth Month: Rooted in Service Project with Casey Elementary

Location: Casey Elementary 9400 Texas Oaks Dr. Austin TX 78748

April 25, 2026

10:00 AM - 01:00 PM

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Who We Are

The Mission Continues is a national non-profit that empowers veterans to continue serving in our nation’s under-resourced communities, giving veterans the opportunity to keep serving even after the uniform comes off, right here at home. Our programs deploy veterans and volunteers to work alongside nonprofit partners and community leaders to improve educational resources, tackle food insecurity, foster neighborhood identity, and more.  

Who should volunteer?

Our service projects are for all veterans with a desire to continue their service and for all non-veterans that want to be part of a nationwide movement to transform communities. Please note, age and accessibility accommodations can be made at any project. There is room for everyone to make an impact. 

How to volunteer 

Click “Register” under the event and it will take you to the event details that will review in more detail what it entails, when and where the project is located, parking details etc.  

Then click “Attend” to fill in simple volunteer information. You will get an email confirmation and updates about this event through your choice of email and text messages.

What is a Service Platoon? 

Service Platoons are your opportunity to engage and connect with veterans and community members while generating community impact in a real and tangible way. Led by veteran volunteer platoon leaders, each platoon works with dedicated community partners and volunteers to provide the manpower and support that they need to help them do their work more effectively. 

We currently have service platoons in more than 40+ cities across the country that are having events at least once a month. Everyone is invited to serve, regardless of veteran status: a service platoon is for you if you have a passion for service. 

Stories from the field

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OTBB Day 5: Finishing Strong at Town & Country Elementary 

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OTBB Day 4: Clearing the Way for the Next Generation at Sweetwater Farm 

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OTBB Day 3: Strengthening Community Roots in West Tampa

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