MilVet
By Mia Rotell
When Raven Hilden’s husband, Michael “Mike” Hilden’s Humvee — a high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle used in the military — was blown up, he lost a finger and has suffered from severe PTSD ever since. “My husband is a 100% disabled Marine Corps veteran,” Hilden said.
For the last decade, Raven has made it her mission to help people in situations similar to those of her loved ones.
“I have other family members who served out of March (Air Force Base) and (Camp) Pendleton in the Marines.” Raven started MilVet in 2016 to help families of service members and veterans find the help and care they need. “I know the struggle. It’s hard to find resources and get the service member to come in and be able to access those services.”
MilVet volunteer, Lee Cooper, attended his first meeting last December and has continued to return ever since. Cooper has friends and family who are veterans and says he will give back any way he can.
The care MilVet provides includes a food and necessities pantry, a veterans service officer to help veterans access services from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, an emergency veterans assistance program and much more.
“I’ve never been in the military, but I just feel really good about helping them,” Cooper said. “I’m here at every event. They (troops) do everything for us, so we want to do what we can for them.”
On Thursday, April 23, MilVet hosted a Military Care Package event, where volunteers assembled boxes for deployed troops. Hilden estimates that over the last 10 years, they’ve helped thousands and have shipped about 10,000 boxes to soldiers.
The care packages include a list of the soldier’s favorite candy, chips, cookies, and any other toiletry items they may need.
Tania Garcia participated in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) while in school and her husband is currently in law enforcement. She attended the event representing Wells Fargo. “It’s important for us to come together,” Garcia said. “This is a great organization. I hope more people in the community would volunteer.”
MilVet is always accepting volunteers and donations. Its biggest event is approaching — the Sundresses and Cowboy Boots 2026 Benefit Concert May 29 — from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Bel Vino Winery in Temecula Valley.
“Anyone can volunteer as much or as little as they want,” Hilden said that anyone, everyone is welcome to come and support their cause.
Visit MilVet’s website to donate and volunteer or reach out to 951-902-9681 with any inquiries. MilVet is located at 33040 Antelope Road, Suite 114, Murrieta, CA 92563.
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