Thrive Market Helps This Thrive Gives Veteran Spend More Time With Her Family

Meet Haylie Brown, a veteran and Thrive Gives member. Brown joined the National Guard while she was in high school. She loves using her membership to buy healthy food for her family.

Where you’re from: Superior, Montana
How long you’ve been a Thrive Gives member: 2 years

Tell us about you and your family.

Our family is me, my partner, Luke, and our dog, Piper. I rescued Piper from the streets in 2012. We really enjoy being outdoors, hiking, canoeing, camping, and walking together.

Tell us about your time serving our country.

I joined the Montana Army National Guard in 2008 while still in high school. I was deployed to Iraq from 2010 to 2011. I was discharged in 2014, after serving a total of six years.

How has your experience in the military changed your perspective?

The Army has changed my life for the better, and shaped who I am today. Deploying at such a young age had a huge impact on me, especially coming from a small town. I was exposed to things that many Americans could never understand about the world. I grew a new sense of compassion for others in much different circumstances than myself as an average American. The Army helped me realize that I can do anything that I set my mind to, giving me the confidence to believe in myself. Because of the Army, I am currently in graduate school pursuing a career in fluvial geomorphology [which studies rivers: their shapes, the landforms they create, and how they move water and sediment]. Being a Veteran means you are a part of a community that understands and appreciates your sacrifice, and you have friends everywhere you go. The Army is also where I met some of my life-long best friends—the people I can turn to no matter what.

How will you be commemorating Veteran’s Day this year?

This Veteran’s Day, I’m planning on going out to dinner with one of my best friends who I deployed with. Veteran’s Day is also a day when our company always gets in touch with everyone to wish them well.

Tell us about how your Thrive Gives membership impacts you or your family.

My Thrive Gives membership is very convenient for my family. It’s so easy to order exactly what we need, and saves us time and money. I also know that everything Thrive Market sells is high quality and healthy. I really appreciate that all the research has been done for me. It allows me to spend more time with my family instead of researching products and then trying to find those products in stores.

What’s your favorite product to buy on Thrive Market?

My favorite product to buy on Thrive Market is probably Newman’s Own dog treats. These treats are Piper’s favorite and make her a very happy dog, which makes me a happy dog mom.

Thrive Market’s one-for-one membership matching program means that your paid membership provides a free one for a low-income family, student, teacher, veteran, or first responder. As a community, we can all thrive together.