Craft. Heal. Bond.
A Community Makerspace
for Veterans & First Responders
About Us
An emerging Idaho nonprofit specifically tailored for veterans and first responders.
VetSheds of Idaho is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit rooted in the international Men’s Shed movement, built for veterans and first responders.
We create veteran-led workshops where people who have served can work with their hands—woodworking, metalwork, repair, and other crafts—in a judgment-free space.
Making things together fights isolation, rebuilds camaraderie, and restores purpose after the uniform comes off. Our model takes what already works in Men’s Sheds—community, useful work, peer connection—and pairs it with veteran-specific needs and trauma-informed practice.
Camaraderie & Brotherhood/Sisterhood
We honor the bonds forged in service by fostering genuine peer connection, mutual respect, and a sense of belonging that many veterans miss after leaving the military.
Purpose Through Making
We believe in the healing and dignity that come from creating, repairing, and building with one’s hands. Projects provide structure, accomplishment, and visible proof of continued value and capability.
Mental Wellness & Resillience
We create safe, trauma-informed spaces that reduce isolation, encourage healthy routines, and support emotional well-being without stigma or pressure.
Help Us Build
VetSheds of Idaho, Inc
We’re building a place where Idaho veterans and first responders can come together, work with their hands, learn new skills, and find connection and purpose.
Our goal is a purpose-built wood, metal, and maker space designed specifically for the men and women who have served and protected our communities. But we need your help to get there—and to keep the mission moving forward while we work toward opening those doors.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we depend on grants and generous donors to make this vision possible. Our directors are volunteers and receive no compensation, so your support goes directly toward building the Vet Sheds and keeping our programs and day-to-day operations going.
Your tax-deductible donation today can help us turn an empty space into a place of purpose, friendship, creativity, and community.
Whether you give $25, $100, or $1,000, every dollar brings us one step closer to opening the doors.
Please donate today and help us build a place where Idaho veterans and first responders can build more than projects—they can build connections, confidence, and community.
Here Are the Many Ways You Can Help VetSheds With Your Contribution
QUALIFIED CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTION: Create your legacy with an IRA Rollover gift!
Did you know you could make a qualified charitable distribution from your IRA to VetSheds of Idaho without paying taxes? By making a contribution you will change lives for veterans and first responders participating in VetSheds activities, while reducing your taxable income. You avoid taxes on donations up to $100,000
DONOR-ADVISED FUNDS
A donor-advised fund (DAF) is a type of charitable giving where you donate a nonrefundable amount, either in cash or securities, to a nonprofit of your choice.
One advantage to this type of giving is that you can direct the fund's administrator to send grants to the causes or organizations that you feel closest to. You also immediately receive the maximum tax benefit from the IRS for your contribution, and you can set up the funds to continue with your estate.
Donor-advised funds can have a more complicated tax structure compared to other types of charitable giving. Your financial adviser or accountant can help with making contributions to a DAF that follow IRS guidelines.
CASH
A cash gift is the simplest form of charitable giving. Your tax deduction is equal to the amount of cash you donated.
The benefit of gifting cash is that it's incredibly simple to do, and there are no confusing tax implications to handle. The only thing you need is a receipt/record of the cash contribution.
SUPPLIES/EQUIPMENT (IN-KIND DONATIONS)
Your local VetShed appreciates donations of supplies to maintain operations. Consumables like glue, sand paper, cleaning supplies, etc.) as well as equipment such as quality, professional-grade wood and metalworking tools are always welcome.
Reach out to let us know what In-Kind Donation you'd like to contribute.
OUR MISSION
To Empower Idaho Veterans
and
First Responders
Provide safe, inclusive workshop spaces where they can engage in meaningful hands-on projects, share skills, build lasting camaraderie, and support one another’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being through the transformative power of making and community.
Values We Stand By
Skill Sharing & Mentorship
Veterans teach veterans (and sometimes the next generation). We preserve trades, build confidence, and create opportunities for leadership and legacy.
Integrity, Accountability & Sustainability
We operate transparently, veteran-led, with sound governance, responsible resource use, and long-term viability.
Community & Service
We give back.
VetShed projects can support fellow veterans (e.g., building storage sheds, adaptive equipment, or community builds) while strengthening local ties.
The Vision
An Idaho where every veteran has access to a supportive Vet Shed — places where those who served continue to serve one another through craftsmanship, friendship, and purpose, creating stronger individuals, families, and communities across the Gem State.
Meet The Board of Directors
Brian Granvall
Exectutive Director
Founder & Executive Director, VetSheds of Idaho
Brian began as a Navy hospital corpsman serving with the Marines overseas, then worked as a tactical medic with the Sheriff’s Department and the FBI and as a firefighter-medic for about ten years. After physician assistant school, he spent the next twenty-five years as a PA in trauma surgery, critical care, emergency medicine, and interventional radiology.
Since 2021 he has been building custom furniture. VetSheds of Idaho grew out of those two paths: a career as a veteran and first responder, and a shop practice he wanted others to have. As Founder and Executive Director, he is standing up a veteran-led wood, metal, and maker space where Idaho veterans and first responders can learn furniture making, cabinet building, and metalwork—and do the work next to people who already understand the job.
Cody Walgamott
Treasurer
Cody Walgamott served 7 years in the Idaho Army National Guard. He spent most of his time as a Small Arms repairman, working 4 of those years as a full time DOD Dual Status Technician.
He now owns a local business, and volunteers in the veteran community whenever possible.
Gia Strang
Director
Gia Strang is a sixteen-year veteran of the United States Air Force and Air Force Reserve. During her active-duty service, she worked as a Satellite Communications Maintenance Technician, supporting both fixed and mobile satellite communications systems around the world. As an Air Force Reservist, Gia served as a Flight Inspection Aircrew Member, helping ensure that the ground-based navigation and landing systems used by aircraft were safe, accurate, and operational.
After military service, Gia supported her husband’s Navy career while raising their three children. Following her husband’s retirement after 24 years of service, Gia returned to school to earn a Bachelor of Fine Art with a focus in Sculpture. Today, she works primarily with industrial waste steel pipe and wood, transforming these materials into small- to medium-sized abstract sculptures.
Mike Hassoldt
Director
Michael Hassoldt served in the US Army (reserve) from 2003-2010, with one deployment to Iraq. He also served the city of Gardena, California, as a police officer from 2005-2012.
These days you can find Michael in front of his forge or his grinder where he makes boutique art steel for blade-smiths, as well as making knives himself. He has extensive experience forge welding steel, and in pattern development.
Thank you for Supporting VetSheds of Idaho, Inc
501(c)(3) Charity - EIN 39-3685224
How To Support
VetSheds of Idaho, Inc
We are raising funds for a purpose-built wood, metal, and maker space for Idaho veterans and first responders—and to keep the work going until those doors open.
As a 501(c)(3), we rely on grants and donations. None of our directors are paid, and 100% of every dollar goes to this mission.
Your tax-deductible gift helps us build the shop and fund day-to-day operations.
