Captain Zach Hollingsworth never met a stranger. The Marine veteran and avid outdoorsman was described as a giant teddy bear who would lend a hand to anyone.
An active kid who excelled in sports, Zach earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Capital University in 2008 and was a three-time captain on its basketball team. After college, he joined the United States Marine Corps and served as part of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. This experience inspired him to establish his company, Have a Shot of Freedom Whiskey Co., which meant more to him than just making great whiskey.
“All the company’s profits were either reinvested into the company or given away to help veteran causes. Freedom Whiskey was created to pay homage to those who served, while honoring the individuals in all military branches who have toiled to make America great,” said Krista Hollingsworth, owner of Have a Shot of Freedom Whiskey Co. “In Zach’s 35 short years, he filled his life with an abundance of love, laughter, cherished memories and a selfless spirit of giving to others. He made an impact on so many people’s lives – whether it was on his students and players at Centerville High School, colleagues, or family and friends – or through the Marines.”
This desire to help others is most evident in the annual Freedom Whiskey Veterans Day event, which raises money for charities that support military veterans.
“Zach was a natural helper, leader, teacher and caregiver, so it didn’t surprise me when he said he wanted to start the event. After launching the company in July of 2017 and welcoming our son, Jaxton, in September, Zach decided to throw the fundraising event together in about a month,” Krista said. “Zach was ‘No diddle, no daddle,’ as he liked to say. When he left the Marine Corps in 2012, he remained committed to the camaraderie and always sought ways to help veterans and their families. This event is proof of that.”
After Zach’s passing in 2021, family and close friends rallied to keep his legacy alive, volunteering their time to run the company. Krista took over as the company’s owner and organizer of the event in 2024 and has a goal to pass those duties to Jax in the future. She reached out to The Dayton Foundation after Zach’s passing, when the event saw a significant increase in donations from $8,000 to more than $32,000.
Krista (second from right) and Jax (second from left) pose with Zach’s parents, Lisa (left) and David (right) Hollingsworth.
“The planning committee and I felt it would be a great idea to set up a fund through The Dayton Foundation, which seemed like the perfect organization to partner with to potentially attract more sponsors and raise even more money,” Krista said. “Instead of having people write checks to us and then write one large check to the charity, we felt using the Foundation seemed like the better option. We are able to use the Foundation’s tax status to offer a charitable deduction to our donors, who also can donate to our fund online through the website, making it easier for everyone involved.”
Last year’s event raised a record-breaking $65,000, and supported Hunters Helping Heroes, Inc., which coordinates recreational events and adventures for veterans, service members and first responders as a gesture of appreciation for their unwavering commitment to safeguarding our freedom, and to Save A Warrior, which is dedicated to the prevention of veteran suicide and the preservation of life through groundbreaking programs.
“I know Zach [Hollingsworth] would be deeply moved by the way so many people have come together to support and uplift our veterans.”
– Krista Hollingsworth, Dayton Foundation donor
“The $20,000 granted to Save A Warrior pays for four veterans to experience our intensive 72-hour program,” said Suzette Heller, director of Development for Save A Warrior. “Veterans receive a 500-Day Plan, with a lifetime of support within our Community of Practice, where the Warrior never has to face anything alone.”
Krista is confident that Zach would be proud to see how they’ve honored his legacy through the event and the Capt. Zach Hollingsworth Memorial Veterans Day Event Fund.
“With SAW’s high success rate, we will be saving the lives of four veterans or first responders, so that makes me feel like this event is truly making a difference in our veteran community and in our world,” she said. “I know Zach would be deeply moved by the way so many people have come together to support and uplift our veterans.”
For more information about the Freedom Whiskey Company and its annual Veterans Day Celebration, visit www.haveashotoffreedom.com.