Play For Your Freedom

05/25/2026

Some debts cannot be paid back. Honoring all those who gave everything for our freedoms. We thank you and your families

05/08/2026

This week we held our 160th Wellness Workshop. A big thank you to my man Tim for donation all of the photo and video work, we greatly appreciate you! Thanks to Mary K for the anthem and God Bless America, you're amazing! Thank you to our fitness leaders, hospitality team and live music from Nick.

Thank you to the City of Newburgh Fire Department for responding from the armory and being there for us and the veterans we host. Thank you to all our supporters and volunteers.

Thank you to Mamma Mia Cafe and Pizzeria located in New Windsor for the amazing lunch, everyone loved it.

Thank you to the dedicated rec. Coordinators for all your hard work and big hearts. We love you guys.

See you next month!!

Lionheart

04/17/2026

We are fully rolling into our 13th year of Wellness Workshops for our United States Veterans. Every year, month and day are different but each one is incredibly special. A huge thank you to for the past 2 years of volunteering your time to help us capture the amazing moments as the years go on.

We did what we do best and that's PLAY! We appreciate the City of Newburgh Fire Department for all your hard work during the workshop in all the games, and it was an honor to welcome back FF Mollins to join us for some quality time.

Thank you for helping our veterans navigate through tough times that are often unexpected. We appreciate you.

Thank you to the American Legion 1796 Auxiliary for coming out and volunteering in addition to your shirt donation.

Thank you Mamma Mia Pizzeria and Restaurant for donating part of our lunch and for all your support in our community. Thank you to our hospitality team who selflessly serves every single person who walks through the door and makes everyone feel like home.

Thanks for always entertaining our Veterans with amazing music during the lunch time sessions.

Thank you and Kieth for all of your continued patriotic support. We love you both and love our opening ceremonies, you make it so special each time.

Last but not least, thank you to Mike M. and the staff for coming together with a special plaque gifted to me in our 13th year. I am not one who wants this recognition, but it means so much coming from such amazing people. I am humbled and will cherish it always. No one person is responsible for anything great, it takes everyone in this family to make it work. I am honored to work alongside such selfless volunteers who love to give back as one. Thank you. We are back in 3 weeks for Workshop #160. LETS GO!!

Lionheart

03/29/2026

When I heard about it was from in a post he did regarding some amazing artwork that he was donating to the organization. I saw other artists I had the honor of interviewing were involved as well, and I have volunteered in mental health space for the past 13 years so I thought we could help with sharing the story of the awesome work that MentalCon is doing through our conversation.
I was completely humbled and blown away when the founders informed me that this year, they were choosing my non-profit as this year's benefactor. We are a 100% volunteer run organization who provide fitness and peer to peer support to veterans and their families. This is a huge honor and we look forward to making a major impact in our communities with the generous support of this amazing team. From the bottom of my heart and from all of those who you will make a positive impact on, Thank you.

For more info on our group you can visit - or www.playforyourfreedom.org
What is Mental Con?
Mental Con is an Annual Charitable Fundraiser created by Jake McManus and Nathan Brabon in 2023 to help raise awareness around Mental Health in the collecting community. Each year in June we put on a livestream event raising funds for different charities that make a huge impact on the community they serve.

The annual fundraiser sees artists from all walks of life from around the globe contribute artwork from various genres from Marvel, DC, cartoon, real life, and so much more. Those pieces are then auctioned off to raise funds along with cash donations for that years given charity.

Full Interview live on Collector Quests: https://youtu.be/4Muxh7gWLK4

When I heard about MentalCon it was from in a post he did regarding some amazing artwork that he was donating to the organization. I saw other ...

03/04/2026

I want to thank everybody who was involved in today’s opening workshop and everybody who’s been involved over the past 13 years contributing to play for your freedom at any level, today we welcomed in three hospitals and an incredible group of veterans who made today’s workshop an absolute blast. Thank you Ava and Kieth for our opening ceremony.

Thank you to our wonderful Heather for providing lunch for everyone! Thank you to our hospitality staff, the fire department, all of our volunteers for the smiles and handshakes and live music. The games were very competitive and left everybody wanting more as we kicked off our 13th season! It’s an absolute honor. Let’s keep it going!

Thank you Mike M, Williams Lumber and New Windsor American Legion Auxiliary post 1796 who helped contribute to our T-shirts that we were able to give out to every veteran today.

Lionheart

03/04/2026

I want to thank everybody who was involved in today’s opening workshop and everybody who’s been involved over the past 13 years contributing to play for your freedom at any level, today we welcomed in three hospitals and an incredible group of veterans who made today’s workshop an absolute blast. Thank you Ava and Kieth for our opening ceremony. Thank you to our wonderful Heather for providing lunch for everyone! Thank you to our hospitality staff, the fire department, all of our volunteers for the smiles and handshakes and live music. The games were very competitive and left everybody wanting more as we kicked off our 13th season! It’s an absolute honor. Let’s keep it going!Thank you Mike M, Williams Lumber and New Windsor American Legion Auxiliary post 1796 who helped contribute to our T-shirts that we were able to give out to every veteran today. Lionheart

12/29/2025

If you are local this will be a great event hosted by the American Legion Auxiliary in New Windsor!

11/17/2025

Season 12 - Workshop #157

This day was a powerful day in so many ways. It has taken a lot of hard work and compassion from our volunteers over the last decade to stand where we are today. I want to thank you all. It is you who make the difference. Thank you.

We opened up our final workshop of our 12th year with the Star of Light Award Ceremony in honor of Nicole Marinucci. Her father Mike proudly presented the awards to Ed and Donny Shook for their incredible efforts at our organization working with our veterans through our programming. Thank you both and congratulations on your receiving of our organization's most prestigious award.

Miss Ava Aston led us in the National Anthem and our team hit the field for an afternoon of music and games! Thank you to the City of Newburgh Fire department who spent the morning in the rain cooking for all the veterans and volunteers. Both on and off duty firefighters always show up and set up/break down and socialize with the veterans. Thank you so much for building up our core. We appreciate you greatly.

Thank you to Nick and Ron for playing live music at all our events. Thank you Tim for capturing the moments at our last 2 workshops. Thank you to our hospitality team Mike, Lauren, Sylvia, Marie, Sandy and Chris for making sure the meals always go off without a hitch and all the veterans are well fed.

Thank you to Tim R. for filming the event for us!

Thank you to Mary K Messenger, and all of our volunteers who were recognized for their efforts in supporting our program to success. Thank you to the Armory staff for all your support. Thank you to our long time partnership with the rec staff at all the participating VA’s. It's an incredible honor to support our Veterans and it takes a village to accomplish this mission. I thank you all and encourage you to continue to lead with your hearts.

Humbled and Proud
Lionheart

Season 12 - Workshop was a powerful day in so many ways. It has taken a lot of hard work and compassion from our volunteers over the last decade to...

11/05/2025

Come out to support a great event!

11/04/2025

A huge thank you to the New Windsor American Legion Aux Unit 1796 for hosting an event that will benefit our organization. Come out and support this group for a fun painting experience. Thank you for your generosity!