Red Star Foundation
 | |
 | |
| Formation | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Jerry Shaffer |
| Type | Nonprofit organization |
| Legal status | 501(c)(3) charitable organization |
| Purpose | Suicide awareness and prevention; postvention support |
| Headquarters | Clearwater, Florida, United States |
Region served | United States |
| Methods | Education, training, advocacy, community recognition |
| Affiliations |
|
| Website | redstarfoundation |
Red Star Foundation (established in 2024) is an American nonprofit organization that focuses on suicide awareness, prevention, and bereavement support for families of military service members, veterans, and first responders who have died by suicide. The organization introduced the “Red Star” as a symbol to recognize families affected by suicide and partners with local and state governments and veteran organizations on awareness and recognition initiatives.
History
[edit]The Red Star Foundation was founded in 2024 by a group of former military personnel. It was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in Clearwater, Florida, on August 7, 2024, and received federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status on September 7, 2024.[1][2]
In January 2025, the Military Order of the Purple Heart adopted the Red Star Service Banner and representative Jack Bergman entered the banner and the foundation into the Congressional Record. During the same month the foundation conducted an early suicide-awareness training session at MacDill Air Force Base.[1]
In late January 2025, the organization held a press conference with the mayor of Clearwater, Florida, to introduce its activities and present Red Star Banners to families who had lost relatives to suicide.[3] The City of Clearwater subsequently issued a proclamation designating March 21 as Red Star Families Day, marking the first municipal recognition of the foundation’s work.[4]
Red Star Banner was adopted by America’s Gold Star Families and by the American Legion, Department of Florida.[5] On September 29, 2025, Clearwater adopted Resolution No. 25-13, designating the city as the nation’s first “Red Star City” and establishing a framework for continued recognition and survivor-support efforts.[1]
On December 4, 2025, the foundation was featured in an op-ed published by Stars and Stripes titled “We are losing more veterans at home than we ever lost on the battlefield,” which advocated for recognition and support for families who lose service members to suicide. The article was authored by Buck McKeon, a Republican who represented California's 25th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1993–2015.[6]
Veteran Suicide
[edit]Veteran suicide is widely recognized as an ongoing public health issue in the United States. Data published by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs indicate that veterans experience higher rates of suicide than the general civilian population. Studies and public health analyses have identified multiple contributing factors, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), depression, chronic pain, challenges related to reintegration into civilian life, and social isolation.
The Red Star Foundation is a United States based nonprofit organization whose stated mission includes raising awareness of veteran suicide and supporting prevention-focused initiatives. According to the organization’s publicly available materials, its activities emphasize peer-based engagement, educational outreach, and support for families affected by suicide.
Mission
[edit]According to the organization, the mission of the Red Star Foundation is to recognize families affected by suicide in military, veteran, and first-responder communities and to promote mental-health awareness, education, and access to support resources.[7] Its activities include training programs, peer-support initiatives, and advocacy related to suicide awareness and prevention.[8][9][10]
Red Star symbol
[edit]The Red Star is a symbol created by the foundation to acknowledge families who have lost relatives to suicide while serving as military members, veterans, or first responders. The organization describes the symbol as comparable in purpose to the Gold Star, which traditionally honors families of those killed in combat.[4]
Programs
[edit]- Red Star Service Banner: a recognition banner provided to participating families.
- Red Star Pledge: an initiative encouraging individuals to seek help and connect with support resources during mental-health crises.
- Red Star Voices: a storytelling program that allows families to share experiences related to loss, remembrance, and awareness.
- Red Star City Program: Launched in 2025, the Red Star City Program partners with municipal governments to promote suicide awareness and community education related to service-connected suicide. Clearwater, Florida, was the first participating municipality. Cities may issue proclamations, observe Red Star Families Day, or adopt resolutions recognizing affected families.
Awards and recognition
[edit]- In 2024, the Red Star Foundation received the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid.
- In January 2025, the foundation was recognized by the United States Congress and entered into the Congressional Record.
- In December 2025, the Red Star Foundation partnered with USAA's Face the Fight program for veterans suicide.
References
[edit]- ^ a b c staff, Christopher O'DonnellTimes. "Tampa Bay nonprofit aims to cut veteran suicides with new 'Red Star' banner". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2025-12-09.
- ^ Rivers, Tom. "Medina natives start Red Star Foundation to honor service of veterans, first responders who die by suicide | Orleans Hub". Retrieved 2025-12-09.
- ^ Thompson, Micki (2025-02-10). "First Contact & Red Star Foundation: A Growing Partnership". www.firstcontact.org. Retrieved 2025-12-09.
- ^ a b Waxler, Erik (2025-01-31). "Red Star Foundation established to help support families of veteran suicides". Tampa Bay 28 (WFTS). Retrieved 2025-12-09.
- ^ "THE AMERICAN LEGION DEPARTMENT OF FLORIDA PROPOSED RESOLUTION" (PDF). floridalegion.org. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
- ^ MCKEON, BUCK. "We are losing more veterans at home than we ever lost on the battlefield". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 2025-12-09.
- ^ Hooper, Ernest (2025-05-23). "UWS ACE Grant Boosts Red Star Foundation's Mission". United Way Suncoast. Retrieved 2025-12-09.
- ^ Damask, Kevin (2025-10-30). "Marine Veteran Injured in Combat Receives Heartfelt Surprise". Military.com. Retrieved 2025-12-09.
- ^ Rafferty, Kim (2025-02-22). "Conference raises awareness for mental health support as military suicide rates rise". News Channel 5 Nashville (WTVF). Retrieved 2025-12-09.
- ^ Wilson, Mark (2025-09-15). "Marine veteran who suffered near-fatal injury in Iraq gets surprise gift: 'Those are happy tears'". FOX 13 News. Retrieved 2025-12-09.