According to Stop Soldier Suicide, veterans are at a 57% higher risk of suicide than those who haven’t served in the military. It's the second leading cause of death in veterans younger than 45, making the support of family and the community so important.

One Soldier at a Time began as a way to serve military families, but has grown to be a huge support for veterans themselves.

“Because they’re struggling with PTSD and they’re struggling with demons that, they might have gone over there and they might have come back with their bodies whole, but their minds and hearts weren’t,” said Lauren Coe, the founder and executive director of One Soldier at a Time.

On Sunday, the organization held its fifth annual Heroes and Hidden Heroes fundraiser to raise money to provide veterans with support that helps combat veteran suicide rates.

“Twenty-two suicides a day, that’s a low number,” Coe said. “Since COVID, that number has skyrocketed. And we need to do something to stand in the gap. And that’s why we’re doing what we’re doing. [We are] bringing awareness, trying to make a difference.”

“It’s key,” said Army veteran Cindylou Lawson. “It really does make a difference when you have people who understand and who support you.”

It can be especially true for veterans who don’t have family support.

“We are their family,” Coe said. “And those that they served with, they are their family. But they need to know that it extends so far beyond just their immediate family. That we are there for them.”

“We’re a different breed,” Lawson said. “And we kind of understand each other even across the branches we just understand some have seen war in combat, some have not. And we just like to support one another and that’s it. We’re one big happy family.”

They say they are working to make sure no soldier gets left behind.

“It lets you know you’re not forgotten,” said Lawson.

“They didn’t leave us behind,” Coe said. “I don’t want to leave them behind.”