We gathered on the WCCO rooftop to celebrate something bigger than any single moment or campaign—we honored a partnership rooted in service, storytelling, and shared commitment to Minnesota’s Veterans. A heartfelt thank you to WCCO for hosting this special event and for standing by our mission year after year. The highlight of the evening was honoring Mrs. Ann Ouellette with the Minnesota Superior Service Award.

Ann serves as the President and General Manager of WCCO-TV, where her leadership has transformed what began as a holiday telethon into the nationally recognized Home for the Holidays campaign. Since 2018, Ann and her team have partnered with MACV to raise awareness and funding to prevent and end Veteran homelessness in Minnesota. Under her guidance, this campaign has raised more than $4.9 million—including over $906,000 in 2024 alone—making it one of the most successful CBS affiliate charity partnerships in the country.

But the impact goes far beyond dollars. Through authentic storytelling and a deep respect for the experiences of those who have served, Ann helped connect over 330 first-time donors just last year and has continually used her platform to spotlight the realities Veterans face—and the ways Minnesotans can step up to help.

Her work was recognized in 2022 with the Board of Governors Emmy® Award, honoring the campaign’s long-standing impact and leadership in public-private collaboration.

We were proud to join WCCO and the Minnesota Twins in honoring Ann’s legacy and celebrating the spirit of partnership that drives our work. From the stories we tell to the lives we help rebuild, this collaboration shows what’s possible when local institutions work together with purpose and compassion.

To Ann, thank you for your unwavering belief in the power of community. And to our partners at WCCO and the Twins, thank you for walking alongside MACV in our mission to serve Veterans across Minnesota. We are stronger because of you.