Jon Hesse

WHY I'M PLAYING AGAIN

When I was a kid, my family needed help.

I didn't really understand that at the time.

What I remember is walking into a Salvation Army thrift store and looking at all the toys. I remember wondering why none of them were in packages.

And I remember my mom crying.

Not because she was sad.

Because she was relieved.

My family was going through a difficult time financially, and The Salvation Army stepped in when we needed someone. They helped us with some of the basics, including an overdue electric bill.

At that age, I didn't understand what an overdue electric bill meant.

I understand it now.

And I understand what that help meant to my mom.

She felt seen.

Fast forward a few decades, and somehow I've found myself sitting on the other side of that story.

Today, I serve as Chairman of The Salvation Army Roseville Advisory Board. I get to see the families who walk through our doors, the kids we serve, and the needs that exist right here in our own community.

And I've learned something.

There will always be people who need help today.

We need to feed them. Serve them. Help them find shelter, stability and a way forward. That work doesn't stop.

But I've also become convinced that if we really want to change the trajectory of homelessness and poverty in our community, we have to reach the kids.

Because behind every statistic about homelessness is another generation growing up in it.

Kids who didn't choose their circumstances.

Kids who are learning what "normal" looks like from the world around them.

Kids who still have an enormous amount of life in front of them.

That's where I believe we have an opportunity to change the story.

Not simply by meeting an immediate need, but by giving kids consistency, relationships, experiences, encouragement and opportunities that can help change what comes next.

Maybe that part hits me differently because once upon a time, I was one of those kids whose family needed somebody to step in.

Last year, I participated in my first Capital Cup. An incredible group of people jumped in with me, and together we raised $33,750 for The Salvation Army.

I'm playing again in 2026.

But this year, I want to focus my efforts on something very specific:

Our kids.

I want to help strengthen the children's programs happening through The Salvation Army in Roseville. And just as importantly, I want more people to know these programs—and these kids—even exist.

Most people know the red kettles at Christmas.

I want to show you what happens the other eleven months of the year.

So over the next several weeks, I'm going to tell some stories.

About the kids.

About the people serving them.

About the work happening quietly in our community.

And about why I believe reaching a kid today might mean one fewer adult needing us twenty years from now.

I can't know which moment, which mentor or which opportunity changes the trajectory of a child's life.

But I know firsthand that showing up matters.

Someone showed up for my family.

Now I get the chance to do the same.

If that means something to you, I'd love for you to jump in with me.

— Jon