The Heart Behind Spirit of Service
Every rare experience has a builder behind it.
For Spirit of Service, that builder is Sawyer Briel, our Brand and Communications Manager, and the brainchild behind this entire initiative.
Sawyer saw a gap between the words we often say to veterans and the actions that truly honor them.
In his own words, “There’s a lot of lip service. But real service deserves something tangible. Something meaningful.”
So, he went to work. What started as an idea rooted in the Vortex mission - Create A Rare Experience - quickly became something more. He kept it local on purpose, knowing that impact starts closest to home. And he built this program with one clear goal:
Shine the spotlight on those who keep serving long after their uniforms come off and actually help them in their mission.
Sawyer didn’t want a PR campaign. He wanted people like Megan to get the recognition, support, and momentum they deserve.
This is our third year of Spirit of Service and Sawyer’s steady hand, deep care, and thoughtful vision have shaped it every step of the way.
So here’s to CARE Makers like Sawyer: the ones who don’t just talk about service, but build systems that elevate it.