Horsepower for Heroes: Custom Hot Rod Collection to Fund Special Operations Forces Support

TAMPA, FL – January 06, 2026 – In a powerful alliance of automotive artistry and patriotic philanthropy, the entire Johnson's Horsepowered Garage (JHG) Collection will be auctioned at no reserve during the famed Mecum Kissimmee 2026 event, with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting Operation Healing Forces (OHF). The partnership promises to leverage the passion of the collector car world to provide critical support for America's elite Special Operations Forces (SOF) community.

The auction, set to be a highlight of The World's Largest Collector Car Auction®, will see a fleet of unique, custom-built vehicles cross the block, channeling the financial power of the automotive hobby directly into programs that heal and support service members and their families.

Where Craftsmanship Meets Cause

At the heart of this initiative is the Johnson's Horsepowered Garage Collection, a group of vehicles curated and crafted by a team led by Jason Johnson. A lifelong automotive enthusiast with a five-decade journey that began in his father's salvage yards, Johnson has built JHG into a respected name in the custom car world. His Tennessee-based shop is renowned for producing distinctive, hand-crafted vehicles, with a special focus on 1930s-era hot rods and modified customs that blend classic culture with modern performance.

This collection is not merely an assortment of cars; it's a showcase of artistry and intention. Each vehicle is a one-of-a-kind build, reflecting a deep respect for automotive history while pushing the boundaries of design. Among the standout pieces is 'Backseat Betty,' a custom creation that physically embodies the auction's spirit by incorporating authentic military surplus items into its construction. This build serves as a rolling tribute to Vietnam veterans, merging heritage and horsepower.

"These All-American vehicles represent rugged individuality and craftsmanship built with intention," said Matt Avery of Mecum Auctions. "They're loud, distinctive, and impossible to miss. Bringing this collection to Mecum Kissimmee allows that passion to fuel meaningful support for the Special Operations Forces community beyond the automotive world."

Fueling the Front Lines of Healing

The ultimate destination for the auction's proceeds is Operation Healing Forces, a national nonprofit dedicated to the long-term well-being of the SOF community. Founded in 2011, OHF provides comprehensive programs focused on reintegration, rehabilitation, and resilience for active-duty members, veterans, their families, and caregivers who face the visible and invisible wounds of service.

The funds raised will directly bolster OHF's core initiatives. Its therapeutic retreats offer SOF couples and caregivers a sanctuary to reconnect and heal from the immense strain of deployments and trauma. The impact is profound; post-retreat data shows that over 99% of participants report improved communication with their spouse, and many credit the program with saving their marriages and strengthening their family's resiliency. Since its inception, OHF has hosted over 330 such retreats, creating vital peer-to-peer support networks.

Another cornerstone is the Special Operations Additional Resource (SOAR) program, which acts as a critical safety net during crises. Its Immediate Needs Program provides rapid financial relief—often within 24 hours—for urgent needs like medical bills, adaptive equipment, or emergency travel. In 2023 alone, OHF fulfilled 1,150 urgent support grants, and the SOAR program has assisted over 10,500 individuals since its launch in 2019. This auction will ensure that when a SOF family faces a crisis, help is available immediately.

"Operation Healing Forces is deeply grateful for this partnership with Johnson's Horsepowered Garage and for the opportunity to connect with one of the largest and most engaged collector car communities in the world at Mecum Kissimmee," said Kerry Irvin, Chief Executive Officer of Operation Healing Forces. "The proceeds from this allocation will directly support Special Operations Forces community, creating bonds that cure by strengthening care, connection, and access to vital resources for all those impacted by service at the Tip of the Spear."

A High-Octane Platform for Philanthropy

The choice of Mecum Kissimmee as the venue is a strategic masterstroke. Recognized as the world's premier collector car auction, the event runs from January 6–18 and is expected to feature approximately 4,500 vehicles, drawing tens of thousands of collectors and enthusiasts from across the globe. This provides an unparalleled platform to amplify the JHG collection's story and OHF's mission.

Mecum Auctions has a proven track record of facilitating high-impact charitable sales. The auction house has helped raise over $14 million for Curing Kids Cancer since 2012 and has seen individual charity cars fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars. Notable past sales, such as a custom 1967 Shelby that sold for $450,000, demonstrate the potential for extraordinary generosity when compelling vehicles are paired with a worthy cause.

The "no reserve" status on the entire JHG collection guarantees that every vehicle will sell, creating an electric atmosphere and encouraging spirited bidding. This dynamic, combined with the powerful charitable incentive, is expected to drive significant interest from collectors who are also passionate about supporting America's military heroes.

The collaboration represents a unique synergy between a master builder, a world-class auction house, and a vital nonprofit. It’s a model of how shared values can align disparate industries to create a force for good, leveraging a global commercial platform for a deeply personal and patriotic cause. As the gavel falls on each handcrafted vehicle in Kissimmee, the roar of their engines will echo as a promise of hope and healing for the families who have sacrificed so much in the nation's defense.