Service in Action Nooks inspire next generation to serve

Service in Action Nooks inspire next generation to serve

Honoring service and sacrifice this Memorial Day and beyond

As communities pause this Memorial Day to honor those who have served and sacrificed, the National Veterans Memorial and Museum (NVMM) is helping children and families discover meaningful ways to carry that spirit of service forward year-round.

NVMM's Service in Action Nooks, a hands-on pilot program supported by the Nationwide Foundation, introduce children to the power of service through storytelling, creativity and action. Designed to foster literacy, civic engagement and empathy, the Nooks invite visitors of all ages to explore stories inspired by the lived experiences of U.S. veterans and to reflect on how service shows up in many forms, from military duty to everyday acts of kindness within a community.

Through books, educational materials and interactive service projects, the Service in Action Nooks encourage children, students and families to create, connect and make a difference in their own way. The program continues to expand, with permanent Nooks now located at the Columbus Metropolitan Library's main library, at NVMM and most recently at the Martin Luther King Jr. Branch.

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Photo Credit: Dan Trittschuh Photography

Since launching in November 2025, the Service in Action Nooks have inspired service participation from more than 6,800 individuals. Children and visitors have completed more than 1,200 thank you letters to veterans, 360 kindness cards for military-connected youth, 240 community bookmarks to encourage other children to read and nearly 200 "welcome home" signs for service members, all meaningful gestures that reinforce remembrance and gratitude.

The impact is being felt across the community, including among students at 18 local schools that have participated in service projects connected to the Nooks.

A Cristo Rey High School student shared, "I have truly learned the sacrifice veterans have done for this country, and I will forever remember it. I have also learned that even veterans who didn't necessarily go to war are still true heroes."

For the Nationwide Foundation, Service in Action Nooks reflect a broader and longstanding commitment to veterans, service members and children's wellbeing.

"Honoring veterans is about both remembrance and action," said Chad Jester, president of the Nationwide Foundation. "Through our partnership with NVMM, we aim to honor service, expand access and inspire the next generation to understand the impact veterans have had on our communities."

Nationwide's support is part of NVMM's ongoing efforts to engage the community and promote awareness of the contributions and sacrifices of the nation's veterans and active-duty service members. To further honor those who have served, Nationwide has sponsored free admission for more than 3,000 veterans, active-duty service members and Gold Star family members to visit NVMM since May 1, 2025.

Nationwide has granted more than $1.5 million to NVMM to support its initiatives. In addition, the Nationwide Foundation has provided over $3 million in general operating support since the museum's inception.

Learn more about how Nationwide supports communities through its Corporate Citizenship initiatives. For more information on its philanthropic efforts, visit the Nationwide Foundation page.