Stand Up for Heroes marks 20 years at Lincoln Center

NEW YORK CITY -- A special event at Lincoln Center on Monday night brought together comedy, music and veterans' stories in support of injured veterans and their families.

The 20th annual Stand Up for Heroes, part of the New York Comedy Festival, raised money for injured veterans and their families. Organizers said the event has raised $117 million for veterans to date.

Everyone who was involved, whether it was the celebrities, the musicians, the comedians, or the people attending, they were there because they wanted to support veterans. 

The evening featured comedians including Jon Stewart, Josh Johnson and Hasan Minhaj. Organizers said the focus of the event is on veterans and their stories of survival and perseverance.

Johnson spoke about participating in the fundraiser.

“It is an opportunity to do something for people who have done something for me that I can’t possibly, like, contextualize," he said. "Like I can’t know it, and you can’t feel it. You’re just the beneficiary of it, and so then to give back directly is the best way to honor any sort of sacrifice or any sort of service."

Minhaj said the event resonates with him because of his family’s connection to veteran care.

“Oh, I just love that the audience appreciates it so much, and our vets are here. And this party is for them also," he said. "We’re raising money to help them, and they’re here having a great time.”

Minhaj added, “My mother is a physician at the VA. She has been working at the VA right off the street in California for the past 20-plus years. So, she has been helping those who have served our country, and she has done her part being a physician to help them after they come back from serving or they continue to serve."

Bob Woodruff, co-founder of Stand Up for Heroes and the Bob Woodruff Foundation, reflected on what motivates him to continue the event.

“If there’s anything that’s acceptable and okay, having fought in the war, covered the war, got injured in the war. If you’re able to pull off something like this to give you some motivation," Woodruff said.

Organizers described the event as a night of hope, healing and laughter while raising support for veterans and their families.