Mission Continues Launches Massive Community Initiative in Tampa for Veterans

The Mission Continues Comes to Tampa for Operation Tampa Bay Blitz

From June 20 to 24, 2025, Tampa, Florida will play host to a momentous event as hundreds of veterans and volunteers unite for the annual Mass Deployment, known as Operation Tampa Bay Blitz. Organized by The Mission Continues (TMC), this initiative aims to improve under-resourced communities through high-impact projects that will engage participants in meaningful service.

The Mission Continues is a well-respected veteran service organization that empowers former military service members to better their communities. Each summer, they select one city to rally veterans and volunteers for large-scale community enhancement projects. Past deployments have been held in cities like San Antonio, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C., bringing in thousands of volunteers to support various community endeavors. For example, in 2024, over 1,200 volunteers worked across multiple sites in San Antonio to create significant improvements.

This year’s mission in Tampa will engage volunteers in projects aimed at community enrichment found throughout the Greater Tampa Area. Activities will include constructing community gardens, renovating schools, painting shelters, enhancing homeless facilities, and various other essential initiatives. Locations for this year’s improvement efforts include the Volunteers of America Florida – James Cole Village, The Sustainable Living Project, Tampa Parks and Recreation's MLK Recreation Complex, Sweetwater Organic Community Farm, and Town and Country Elementary School.

Annie Hudson, Chief Programs Officer of The Mission Continues, remarked, "We're thrilled to bring Mass Deployment to Tampa—a city with a proud military history and a strong sense of community." This sentiment resonates deeply within the veteran community and among local residents. Veterans take pride in serving their communities, forging connections with fellow veterans and volunteers alike, to achieve a common goal.

Tampa Bay is home to a vibrant military community. With over 120,000 veterans in the area, alongside more than 12,000 active-duty personnel stationed at MacDill Air Force Base, the significance of the event takes on additional meaning, as it connects branches of the military with tangible community service.

For Army veteran and TMC Tampa Platoon Leader, Tara Tilson, the Mass Deployment experience goes beyond volunteering; it's a chance to honor her service while lifting others. "As a veteran, I always look for ways to find purpose and give back. That's what led me to The Mission Continues. It’s an honor to serve alongside fellow veterans and community members here in our city,” she expressed.

TMC’s national reach is further strengthened in Tampa through partnerships with sponsors like CarMax, ToolBank, and Coca-Cola, which collectively support this noble cause and the communities involved. With an anticipated turnout of 1,500 volunteers over the five-day service period, the local community is encouraged to participate. However, due to the limited space available at each project site, early registration for volunteers is strongly recommended.

Anyone interested in contributing to this meaningful deployment can sign up by visiting The Mission Continues website.

About The Mission Continues

The Mission Continues is a groundbreaking national organization dedicated to empowering veterans to become community leaders. They invest in veterans and under-resourced neighborhoods by providing the opportunity to develop new skills and deploy volunteer efforts. By collaborating with nonprofit partners and community leaders in over 40 cities nationwide, they address issues such as educational resource improvement, food insecurity, and access to green spaces. The model implemented by TMC fosters deep connections between veterans and their communities while driving significant positive change across America. To learn more, visit www.missioncontinues.org.