Kristin and Tim Thrush, the president of the Minnesota chapter of Families of the Fallen. Photos: Mariola Shrivastava, Precious 21 Photography
The Minnesota chapter of the nonprofit honors those who are lost in the line of duty.
When Woodbury’s Tim Thrush lost his brother-in-law, Steve Werner, in the line of duty in 2018, the loss was unimaginable. Werner was was an Army veteran and EMT in Dubuque, Iowa, when he was tragically killed in an ambulance accident, just minutes from home. Tim says the loss was incredibly difficult for the family and carried a heavy period of mourning and grief.
Now, Tim has turned that loss into purpose through the Minnesota chapter of Families of the Fallen. “This organization does unbelievable work, and we wanted to do something to give back,” Tim says. About two years after the accident, Tim and his family were contacted by Families of the Fallen, a nonprofit organization based in Iowa, with an invitation to attend a music festival as a “hero family.”
The organization was started by Army veteran Andrew Klein and has two main goals: to pay tribute to fallen heroes, including military personnel and first responders, and allow their families to connect with others who have had similar loss. A secondary vision of the organization is to provide assistance to surviving family members who are enduring hardship due to the loss of their loved one.
“We didn’t have a full grasp of what the event was or what it was about,” Tim recalls. “We were just told to show up and bring clothes. The rest was on them.” Several of Werner’s family members were treated to a weekend that left a lifelong impression. Not only was their every need catered to, but they were able to meet other families who experienced similar tragedies.
Tim Thrush hosts an annual barbecue fundraiser every September. Since its inception in 2020, they have raised more than $100,000 for Families of the Fallen.
Inspired by their experience, Tim and his wife, Kristin Thrush, wanted to help strengthen the organization. In summer 2020, the couple hosted a barbecue in their front yard complete with a bounce house, raffle baskets and smoked meat. Their goal was to raise $3,000. Instead, their grand total came to nearly $11,000. “It was totally unexpected,” Tim says. “We were blown away by the support.”
Now, it is an annual event that continues to grow. Held every September, the fundraiser has outgrown the Tim’s front yard and has raised more than $100,000 for Families of the Fallen. “Being part of a group of people who have gone through unimaginable tragedy together is very therapeutic,” Tim says of the event, now held at Stonemill Farms Community Center in Woodbury. This year’s event is scheduled for September 12.
Tim serves as the president of the Minnesota chapter of Families of the Fallen and has hopes to expand its impact. But with continued growth comes additional need. Tim says he and Kristin are always looking for volunteers with different skillsets to help support the growing fundraiser. “There’s a lot more we’d like to do to grow this. We just need more people,” he says, adding he’d like to see additional events beyond the barbecue.
Tim says the impact Families of the Fallen has had on his life and others makes all the hard work worth it. “Being part of that community blesses you in a way you could never imagine,” he says. “It’s so impactful to families.” And it’s that impact that fuels Tim to continue helping others, one family at a time.
Families of the Fallen
Facebook: Families of the Fallen
