Beacon 22 LLC officially launch this month with a mission to raise awareness for veteran suicide prevention and inspire hope, connection, and support for veterans and their families.
Guided by the message “BE THE LIGHT,” Beacon 22 was created to encourage meaningful conversations about mental health, strengthen community connections, and remind veterans that they are never alone. Through apparel, storytelling, fundraising efforts, awareness campaigns and community partnerships, Beacon 22 seeks to bring people together in support of those who have served.
“Beacon 22 isn't just about apparel — it's about creating opportunities for conversations that can save lives,” said Karen Sterbenz, founder and creative director of Beacon 22. “Our goal is to raise awareness, encourage connection and remind veterans that they are seen, valued and supported. Every act of kindness, every conversation and every show of support can make a difference.”
For Sterbenz, the mission is deeply personal.
“As a wife, mother and daughter of a family dedicated to veteran advocacy, I have witnessed the impact that compassion and community support can have on the lives of veterans and their families,” she said. “Beacon 22 is a way to honor that legacy while helping create a future where no veteran feels forgotten or alone. We want to encourage people to be a source of hope and to always ‘BE THE LIGHT.’”
The inspiration behind Beacon 22 comes from a family legacy of military service and veteran advocacy. Sterbenz's parents, Larry and Carol Hebert of Skanee, Michigan, spent decades in the U.S. Army and National Guard and later served veterans through leadership roles within AMVETS at both the state and national levels.
While Beacon 22 operates primarily online, its mission extends far beyond apparel. The organization plans to engage with veteran organizations, community groups, and supporters through awareness initiatives, fundraising efforts, and outreach opportunities designed to foster connection and support.
