Operation Outfit – a local nonprofit that provides new clothing and shoes for veterans in nursing homes – was awarded the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Community Service Award, given to organizations or individuals who volunteer in areas including education, patriotism, humanitarianism and environmental conservation.
Operation Outfit was nominated for the award by the Fort Industry Chapter and selected for the award by the Ohio DAR state chairman. Founded in 2024 by Nikki Hernandez, a hospice nurse who visits many veterans in nursing homes and health care settings, Operation Outfit was her answer to helping men and women who are often unable to shop on their own for basic items like clothing.
“They’re the ones who don’t have family to bring in what they need – whether it’s comforters, clothing or socks,” she said.
While the facilities may provide some basics, often she would see veterans wearing hand-me-downs from former patients or doing without comfortable, warm socks or shoes that fit.
“I noticed so many requests for socks and shoes that I knew I needed to do something,” Hernandez said.
While she began raiding her husband’s closet in 2017 to find clothes, in 2024 she founded Operation Outfit as a nonprofit with a goal of providing dignity and comfort to veterans.
“Meeting veterans and hearing their stories really resonates with me,” said Hernandez, who has several family members who retired from the military. “They gave up so much. I heard them talk about missing years with their children, or having a marriage fall apart, because of their decision to serve in the military. They gave everything they had, so they deserve everything we can give them.”
While other organizations might host clothing drives, Operation Outfit is unique in that it provides new clothing and shoes that will fit the veterans – and then delivers those items directly to the veterans.
“We prefer new clothes. It doesn’t feel right to give a veteran someone’s giveaways,” Hernandez said. “And most veterans can’t get out to the store, so we bring it to them.”
Most of what Operation Outfit looks for are sizes large through 2X, along with shoes in sizes 10-13. Hernandez recommends items that are comfortable, such as stretchy sweatpants, zip-up jackets, loose and soft T-shirts, and warm socks. Not many veterans in homes want to wear jeans. Slip-on shoes are easiest for those who are not as mobile.
“When I make a delivery, their faces are like kids at Christmas,” Hernandez said. “I like that happy feeling. You don’t usually get that in hospice – usually, it’s tears. This is the sunshine I get to feel in between.”
The organization operates entirely on public donations, fundraising events and sales of merchandise like t-shirts, jackets and water bottles, all of which go directly toward serving veterans. In 2025, Operation Outfit was able to visit six facilities and serve 65 veterans. Hernandez hopes to scale up to at least two visits a month as donations and volunteer support grow.
For more information on how to become involved by fundraising, volunteering or donating can be found at operationoutfit.org.
The Fort Industry Chapter DAR is the 46th chapter in Ohio, organized by 16 founding members in 1909, and chartered with eight additional members in 1910, as the 887th national chapter. Fort Industry Chapter, NSDAR was named after Fort Industry, a block house stockade erected around 1800, on a high bluff near the mouth of Swan Creek on the Maumee River.
The chapter meets at noon on the first Saturday of the month, September through June, usually in area restaurants or country clubs. Any woman, 18 or older, who can prove lineal, bloodline descent from an ancestor who aided in achieving American independence, is eligible for membership. For more information, visit fortindustrydar.org.
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