We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. While he’s not particularly religious, that’s the biblical principal that inspires one watchmaker in Illinois to donate his profits to different veterans charities around the country.
In 2012, Thomas Carey and his dad started Minuteman Watches, a company they created with the sole purpose of giving back to those who have served in the military.
Though his father — a Vietnam veteran — is permanently disabled as a result of Agent Orange, Carey has continued the work.
During the day, Carey sells RVs. But in his free time, he’s building and shipping out watches to people around the country, choosing not to pocket the money that comes in. Instead, he gives it away.
Carey told Faithwire his extracurricular effort often leaves his coworkers dumbfounded.
“They don’t understand why I’m doing this,” Carey said, noting he is constantly explaining to those around him why he chooses to sacrifice his own income for the greater good.
It’s moments like the one captured in the photo below, he revealed, that motivate him to keep going, despite having to set aside his own interests and desires.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BuUNQafngv_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
That’s a picture of Milo with his dad, Marine Cpl. Christopher Van Etten, who recently received a home from Homes for Our Troops, the nonprofit charity Carey is donating to this year.
“When I saw that picture,” Carey said, “I was like, ‘Here’s the answer right here.’ I get asked [why I do this] all the time. Here’s the answer. Let the picture be the answer right there, because that’s why I do it — it’s helping out these families and these young guys who, potentially, their whole lives could have been ended.”
Without the aid of organizations like Homes for Our Troops and actor Gary Sinise’s foundation, many of the veterans returning to the U.S. would not get the help — financially, spiritually and emotionally — they so desperately need.
Initially, Carey said he and his father thought about starting their own charity, but soon realized there are already a great number of nonprofits working hard to help veterans in need.
They chose instead to come alongside those organizations.
“Why create another [charity]? Why not just come up with a way to generate some money to help charities that are already out there doing good work?” Carey asked.
Each year, he tries to raise $10,000 for different charities in the country. The beneficiary of this year’s revenue is Home for Our Troops. So far, he’s raised a little more than $2,000.
“I believe in helping our fellow man, our brother out. I believe that we are our brother’s keeper,” Carey said. “If it’s not me, who is it gonna be? So many people say they’re gonna do something but they never do anything. At some point, somebody’s gotta do something.”
If you would like more information about Carey’s work or if you’re interested in purchasing a watch, click here.