Operation Help A Hero is an IRS approved 501 (c) (3) public charity dedicated to the well-being and care of our American military members. Our programs support military units and families during times of crisis, deployment and need. Operation Help A Hero connects communities with service members and provides real opportunities to make a difference in the lives of those who serve our country. Every cent contributed to Operation Help A Hero is used to serve our military community, and every project is based on real needs.
Operation Help a Hero will be hosting drives for THREE different units returning from Afghanistan this fall, serving over 2,000 Marines and Sailors. An update for these drives for these units will be posted the first week in August.
click here to see a list of companies, groups, schools and individuals who generously donated their time and resources to our 3/4 project. THANK YOU!
Operation Christmas Spirit
Our annual Christmas Drive provides 40-50 military families an opportunity to have their Christmas wish lists made a reality.
OHH (Operation Help A Hero) Baby! Showers
Our next scheduled baby shower will support 40 new and expecting mommies with Marines deployed to Afghanistan from CLB 5. The event is scheduled on Sunday, July 25th.
Current projects, recent accomplishments and how you can help:
Current Projects:
1. Operation Rack Pack for 2/5 Marines returning from Afghanistan
OHH is collecting donations and items for Second Battalion, Fifth Marines' single men returning from deployment to barracks rooms. This project will provide food, gifts, toiletries, clothing and entertainment items to 150-200 of 2/5's Marines returning home to the United States after serving in Afghanistan. Our efforts will ensure that each Marine, especially those not greeted by loved ones, will be able to shower, eat and enjoy himself his first night back in the United States after serving our country. More imporantly, our efforts will pass on an important message -- "your sacrifice is not forgotten."
2. OHH Baby Shower for 40 new and expecting mommies from CLB 5. Shower set for July 25th!
OHH is collecting donations and looking for volunteers for our next OHH Baby Shower benefitting 40 new and expecting mommies from CLB 5 (currently deployed to Afghanistan). Our baby showers are designed to provide mommies of deployed service members with a day of pampering, relaxation, fun and an opportunity to connect with other mommies going through similar challenges. In addition, our gifts, raffle prizes and game prizes are meant to alleviate some of the financial burdens associated with preparing for a baby. It is our hope these mommies will feel appreciated for the unique sacrifices they make while supporting our country. These warrior mommies handle pregnancy, births and raising newborns while their husbands are deployed, often with little to no support. OHH Baby Showers recognize that even warrior mommies need some pampering and support.
For a list of needed items and volunteer opportunities, please check out our OHH BABY page.
Questions about our OHH Baby Showers? Please email our baby shower coordinator, Sharon Wackeen at wackeen@cox.net
3. Baby Shower for 40 SOI mommies, August 7, 2010
4. Operation Rack Pack drive for CLB 5 and Third Battalion, Seventh Marines begins in August
5. Operation Enduring Support Project Fundraiser tentatively set for February 2011
Job Well Done and Thank You!
OHH would like to thank all the generous donors and volunteers who made the following projects successful in 2009/2010:
January 2009:Assistance with 15th MEU post deployment family day
February 2009: Build your own care package event for deployed 1st Marine units
April 2009 Baby shower for 3/5's pregnant mommies with daddies deployed
May 2009: Assistance with spring carnival on CP at Lake O'Neill
July 2009: Baby shower for 1/5's pregnant mommies with daddies deployed
November/December of 2009: Barracks project for 1/5 (600 single Marines newly returned from Afghanistan)
December 2009:Assistance with the City of Rancho Santa Margarita's shopping event and winter wonderland for family members of 2/5's deployed Marines
December 2009: Operation Christmas Spirit benefitting 40 Camp Pendleton families from 1/5, 2/5, 3/5, CLB 5 and the SOI.
January 2010: Donated banner party supplies for 2/5 families preparing for their Marines' returns
February 2010: Operation Bedtime Stories for CLB 5
April 2010: Operation Rack Pack for 600 3/4 Marines who returned from deployment in Afghanistan.
May 2010: Banner Party for 2/5 Fox's Return and Reunion Brief
June/July 2010: Operation Rack Pack for 2/5 Marines who returned from Afghanistan
June 2010: Coordination of volunteers/attendees for the NFL's 2010 Rookie Symposium
In addition to the events sponsored and coordinated by OHH, our Operation Enduring Support Ministries for families in crisis was able to provide 3 months rent to a wounded warrior's family in need of extended shelter outside of Walter Reed hospital; money to cover moving costs for a family of 5 who moved using their PCS funds and then ended a long distance family situation; funeral costs (headstone purchase) for a former combat veteran Marine (who was with 3/5) who died of health issues just a year after getting out of the Marine Corps; assistance for a family struggling to stay together as a famiily unit despite severe financial troubles; and furniture donations given to well-deserving military families.
None of our projects, programs or efforts would be possible without your support. THANK YOU for showing our men and women in uniform that you appreciate their sacrifice, bravery and dedication; your efforts help our American military heroes to know they are not forgotten.
Future Projects
Barracks Drive for 200 2/5 Marines returning from Afghanistan June 2010
Ongoing support for CLB 5 and 1st Marine Division during their deployment to Afghanistan, to include a baby shower for mommies delivering while their husbands are deployed this July
Fall Barracks Drive for CLB 5, 3/7 and possibly 3/1.
Winter fundraising gala to support our Enduring Support and Operation Sweet Dreams for Special Kids projects
Operation Christmas Spirit Drive to benefit families from 1/5, 2/5, 3/5, 2/4, 3/1, CLB 5, 1st Marine Division, and SOI
Copyright 2010, Operation Help a Hero, Inc.
Operation Help a Hero is an IRS approved 501 (c) (3) public charity. Your donations are tax deductible.
Operation Help a Hero, formerly known as Operation Sweet Dreams, has served Marine Corps units in Southern California since 2002.
We now have a nation-wide school chapter program and plans to support units in all military branches. Sign up for our e-nnouncements below to learn more about our programs, keep up with volunteer opportunities and spread the word about our drives/fundraising to support our men and women in uniform.
Job Well Done and Thank You!
