Maverik — Adventure’s First Stop has announced a $250,000 donation to Warrior Rising, helping veterans and their families achieve the American dream through entrepreneurship. As the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, the gift honors the entrepreneurial drive that has defined America for two and a half centuries.
The donation reflects a shared belief between the two organizations: that ownership, initiative and an entrepreneurial mindset build stronger people and stronger communities.
“My dad, Jay Call, opened his first Maverik in Willard, Utah in 1960. He built the business on an entrepreneurial spirit and a belief in the power of hard work and personal ownership. Today, as a family-owned company with more than 16,000 Team Members across more than 830 stores, we’re proud to carry those values forward by empowering our people to think like business owners and serve their customers with pride every day. That’s why partnering with Warrior Rising is such a natural fit — we’re investing in veterans who share that same drive to build something meaningful for themselves, their families and their communities.”
Crystal Maggelet, Chief Executive Officer of Maverik
Celebrating America’s 250th
Building on its longstanding support of education, affordable housing and local hunger relief, Maverik chose to celebrate America’s 250th with a milestone investment in veteran entrepreneurs, individuals who embody the country’s enduring spirit of initiative, resilience and enterprise.
The check was presented in front of Maverik’s 250th store in West Valley, Utah, with leaders from Maverik, Warrior Rising and the Call to Action Foundation, along with Grind Goods owner and vetrepreneur Roger Gindlesperger Jr.
“This gift is about more than a number. It’s a vote of confidence in every veteran who has the courage to bet on themselves. Maverik understands what it means to build something from the ground up, and that’s exactly what our veterans set out to do every single day. In the same vein of teaching a man to fish rather than giving him one, Warrior Rising doesn’t give a veteran one good day. We give them the opportunity to have one great life.”
Jason B.A. Van Camp, Founder of Warrior Rising
A culminating pitch competition in November
Maverik’s donation will support Warrior Rising’s signature programming, including a veteran pitch competition this November. Joey Hobson, Maverik’s Chief Marketing Officer, will serve on the veteran business judging panel on November 18, evaluating veteran-owned businesses competing for a share of the grant funding. Tom Schofield, President of FJ Management, Maverik’s parent company, will present the awards on stage at Capitol Theatre in Salt Lake City on November 19 before an audience of more than 2,000 veterans, entrepreneurs and supporters.
The event will spotlight veteran entrepreneurs at various stages of building durable businesses, capping a year of celebration around American enterprise and the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding.
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About Maverik
Maverik — Adventure’s First Stop operates more than 830 convenience stores across 20 states, from the Midwest to the West Coast, and is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. Known for fueling adventures and delivering an elevated convenience experience, Maverik offers great value on fuel, fresh food and beverages, and everyday essentials. Approximately 16,000 Team Members support Maverik’s operations across its footprint. Learn more at maverik.com.
About Warrior Rising
Founded in 2015, Warrior Rising is a nationwide 501(c)(3) nonprofit that empowers military veterans and their families through entrepreneurship. Through education, mentorship and grant funding, it helps veteran entrepreneurs launch and grow successful businesses. Learn more at warriorrising.org.