The Harbor Theater has only recently reopened, but it is already becoming the kind of community gathering place that owner Matthew Unzeitig hoped it would be. Its newest role began this month as the theater hosts a pair of recurring events for Lake County veterans, organized by Operation Volunteers for Veterans (Operation V4V).
The partnership marks the first major public programming for the young nonprofit, which was founded last year and has been steadily building its services. The new monthly coffee break and veterans movie night will give local veterans a place to gather, connect, and help shape future offerings.
Tanya Bruzek, president of Operation V4V, said the idea behind the organization started long before the paperwork was filed or the first event was planned.
“I was just looking for a way to give back because I was not really feeling like I could donate my money to any of the existing nonprofits,” she said. “I just did not like where the money was being used. There was too much overhead. I just did not feel like any of them were a good use of my funds.”
Bruzek said she wanted her efforts to have a direct impact on people in her own community. At first, she imagined helping families of fallen police officers. Over time, that idea shifted toward supporting veterans. The concept of an adopt a veteran program stayed with her for several years before she finally brought it to someone who could help her shape it.
In September 2024, she spoke with Lake County Veteran Services Officer Brad Anderson after a county board meeting. That conversation set everything in motion. Anderson encouraged her to pursue the idea and later offered the name Operation V4V. By the fall of that year, Bruzek had delivered her first small round of Thank You For Your Service meal kits using a few donations from friends.
The organization incorporated in June 2025 and received its 501 (c) (3) status by September. Soon after, Operation V4V began hosting ID.me sessions to help veterans set up the login required to access their benefits. Those sessions continue today and will be part of the new monthly gatherings at the theater.
The partnership with the Harbor Theater came through a local volunteer leadership group. Bruzek met Unzeitig at one of the meetings and mentioned her hope of hosting a veterans movie. He offered the theater space for both the movie nights and the coffee sessions.
“He said, yes, I am a retired vet and I will support that 100 percent,” said Bruzek.
The coffee break for veterans will take place on the first Thursday of every month, with the next one occurring on May 7, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. It is free and open only to veterans. Bruzek said the goal is simple: give veterans a place to talk with one another in a relaxed setting. Coffee, tea and snacks will be provided, and the gatherings will also serve as a chance for veterans to help shape future programming.
“I pretty much kind of just fade into the background and let them do their own thing,” said Bruzek.
Although the invitation says there is no agenda, Bruzek said there are a few items she hopes to cover each month. Veterans will be able to suggest training sessions, request speakers, and receive help with ID.me if needed. She is working closely with Anderson to identify topics that would be useful for the group.
The theater will also host a veterans movie night on the third Thursday of every month. Veterans will be admitted free. Members of the public can attend at the theater’s regular ticket price, and a portion of those sales will help offset the cost of the free veteran tickets. The first film will be The Dirty Dozen on April 16, starting at 7 PM, followed by Unforgiven in May. Future films will be selected with input from the veterans who attend.
Bruzek said interest is growing, but slowly.
“We are still technically less than a year old. And veterans tend to be people that want to do everything on their own,” she said. “So we are picking up speed slowly.”
Operation V4V continues to expand its meal kit program as well. The organization delivered two kits in its first year. This Easter, it delivered fifteen. Bruzek hopes to offer an invitation-only sit-down meal later this year for veterans the organization has already connected with.
The organization is also preparing for future growth. Volunteers will be needed as programs expand, although Bruzek said the smaller events at the theater only require one or two people at a time. Volunteers must complete a background check because the organization may work with veterans who are in more vulnerable situations. Operation V4V asks volunteers to cover the cost of the background check if possible, but funds are available for those who cannot.
Donations are accepted through North Shore Federal Credit Union. Bruzek said donors can designate where they want their money to go, whether it is meal kits, educational programs, or other services.
The Harbor Theater events are only the beginning. Bruzek said the organization plans to expand the monthly coffee breaks to other parts of Lake and Cook counties once the Two Harbors gathering is running smoothly. Future locations may include Silver Bay, Fall Lake, Finland, and additional communities as the program grows.
For Bruzek, the reason behind all of this remains the same as when she first started thinking about the idea years ago.
“They have given so much, just physically, mentally, emotionally. And where we are at in society today, they do not always get the appropriate thank you that they deserve,” she said.
The Harbor Theater is located in downtown Two Harbors at 616 2nd Avenue. Check out their Facebook Page for more information on upcoming events and showings. Operation Volunteers For Veterans also has a Facebook page where events are posted and volunteers are encouraged to fill out the application form located there. Bruzek can also be reached at operationv4v@gmail.com.
