Wounded veterans, David Vobora bring holiday cheer as part of Starbucks Give Good squad

By Jessey Dearing and Rajiv Chandrasekaran / Starbucks

Former professional football player David Vobora gathered a dozen adaptive athletes who train at his Dallas gym, several of whom are wounded veterans, for a special holiday mission last week: They would travel across the city on a bus to spread some holiday cheer by handing out 500 Starbucks gift cards, each worth $20, to people who help others.

The athletes, all members of Vobora’s Adaptive Training Foundation, have been the recipients of charitable donations. On this day, however, they would get the opportunity to help others. Their give-away included a visit to the Dallas Police Foundation; a fire station; a homeless shelter; the headquarters of Carry the Load, a veterans’ organization started by two former Navy SEALs; and the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, one of the nation's leading pediatric centers for the treatment of orthopedic conditions.

It’s part of Starbucks biggest giveaway ever, Project Give Good. During month of December, Starbucks is surprising 50,000 customers with $1 million worth of $20 Starbucks Cards at community gatherings and holiday celebrations.