Operation Gratitude is the Mizzou Law Veterans Clinic’s annual fundraising campaign which runs from the first Tuesday of December through February 1 each year. During each campaign the Clinic highlights remarks from a veteran or a family member of a veteran who we have served. The featured Veteran for the 2023 – 2024 Operation Gratitude campaign is Amy Donaldson. See Amy’s letter to our supporters below. To see previous veteran clients featured as part of Operation Gratitude, click here.

Dear Supporters of the Mizzou Law Veterans Clinic,

I hope this letter finds you well. My name is Amy Donaldson, and I am a veteran and client of the Mizzou Law Veterans Clinic. Today I’m reaching out with a heart full of gratitude—and a request. I’d like to share my story with you, as it speaks to the life-changing impact the Mizzou Law Veterans Clinic has had on my life and the lives of so many other veterans.  

I served in the United States Air Force for eight years as a C-5 loadmaster, including during Operation Enduring Freedom, where I logged over 1,000 flight hours. Like many veterans, I returned home to face challenges I never expected—debilitating health issues directly tied to my service, including traumatic brain injury, cancer, and mental health issues. Navigating VA’s complex system to receive the benefits I was entitled to was overwhelming. Despite my years of service, I felt abandoned and defeated.  

Then I found the Mizzou Law Veterans Clinic. The staff and law students there didn’t just take on my case—they fought for me. They gave me hope when I had lost it. Thanks to their tireless work, I finally received service connection for my disabilities that were related to my service, something I thought might never happen.  

But I’m just one of many. The Clinic has helped over 1,600 veterans secure more than $20 million in benefits. These aren’t just numbers—these are veterans’ lives just like mine that have been transformed. 

One of the things that makes the Mizzou Law Veterans Clinic so special is that they never charge veterans for their services. Everything they do is provided completely free of charge. The Clinic operates largely on private donations, which allows them to keep helping veterans like me. Without the support of generous donors, they wouldn’t be able to continue their incredible work. Your contribution ensures that more veterans can receive the legal assistance they need, regardless of their financial situation. 

That’s why I’m asking for your help. Your support can give more veterans the hope and help they deserve. It can lift someone who feels lost in the system, just like I did. By contributing to the Mizzou Law Veterans Clinic, you’re not just donating—you’re directly changing lives. I urge you to consider making a gift to this incredible Clinic. Every dollar helps them continue their mission to fight for veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country. To donate, please click the button below to make a secure online donation.  

On behalf of the Mizzou Law Veterans Clinic, and veterans like me whose lives have been transformed by their work, thank you. It’s because of donors like you that this Clinic can keep its doors open and continue to change lives. Your generosity means the world to us. Together, we can ensure that veterans receive the support and care they have earned.  

With sincere gratitude, 

Amy Donaldson
Veteran, United States Air Force