Operation Help A Hero
Providing for those who serve at home and abroad
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Operation Help A Hero
 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 as they prepare for separation, while they endure the challenges of deployment, and as they transition back to the US. Our projects uplift our military heroes and send a clear message of support to their entire family. 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. We are an all volunteer organization. All board members and directors volunteer their time to focus all donations on our projects and the military heroes they serve.  Every cent contributed to Operation Help A Hero is used to serve our military community, and every project is based on real needs



     Donate now through PayPal           

or through Network for Good
     

Please not that Network for Good donations are paid out to OHH on the 15th of every month. Paypal donations are received immediately.                                                                             


       Click here for a one-page overview of Operation Help a Hero's work for military heroes and our mission statement. 
       What does OHH do for military families? Click here for an overview.
 
All donations made for our projects are directly made to Operation Help a Hero in support of the units we commit to serving. No military units directly solicit for donations for our projects.
 
TO SIGN UP FOR OUR E-NEWSLETTER WITH VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES, PLEASE FILL OUT THE FORM AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE. A CONFIRMATION EMAIL WILL BE SENT TO YOU BEFORE YOU WILL RECEIVE OUR OHH UPDATES.

 

 


   
 
 
 
Learn more about our new program 
OHH Camp JOY. 
 
 

 
 
Deployment doesn't take a break, but parents,operating as "deployment single" parents, need one. Spouses of our active duty military force shoulder the burden of keeping the homefires burning , often doing everything for 6-12 months a time with no family near by to support them. OHH Camp JOY is our answer to this ever-present need. We provide a 5 hour block of fun for kids with deployed parents, and Mom/Dad gets a much needed break. 
Our next TWO OHH Camp JOY event will be: 
Saturday May 19th from 10-3pm 
volunteer sign up deadline is May 11th!
Email Cindy at cfarnum@operationhelpahero.com to volunteer for May 19th
                                

Operation Rack Pack Barracks Project
 
 
We are currently preparing for our SPRING barracks season. Here are our barracks projects COMING SOON:
 Please note, for the safety of the Marines/Sailors in these units, we do NOT coordinate our projects on return dates or share them with the public. We consider actual return dates to be something that should remain private within the families of these units.

1. Operation Rack Pack for 600 Marines/Sailors from 2/4, returning from serving in Afghanistan. MISSION COMPLETE!
Project date:  Sunday, March 18th from 12-4pm

2. Operation Rack Pack for 51 Marines/Sailors from 3rd AABN, returning from Afghanistan
Project date: April 18th

3. Operation Rack Pack for 550 1st LAR Marines and Sailors, returning from Afghanistan.
Project date: May (exact date TBD, likely mid-end of May)

4. Operation Rack Pack for 675 Marines/Sailors from 3/1, the 11th MEU. Project date: June

5. Operation Rack Pack for 675 1/4 Marines/Sailors returning from the 31st MEU. Project date: June

6. Operation Rack Pack for 450 Marines/Sailors returning from Afghanistan with HMM 268. Project date: July

5. Operation Rack Pack for 650 2/5 Marines/Sailors returning from Afghanistan. Project date: August (may be sooner).

7. Operation Rack Pack for 200 Marines/Sailors returning from Afghanistan with RCT 5. Project date: August.

8. Operation Rack Pack for 600 Marines/Sailors returning from Afghanistan with CLB 5. Project date: September.
 
Please email Cindy Farnum at cfarnum@operationhelpahero.com to sign up to volunteer or involve your school, business or group.  
 
Want to help us prepare for upcoming barracks projects? We could use your help!
 
  • Sign up to volunteer for one of our grocery store drives
  • Host a door-to-door drive in your neighborhood. Click here for a sample door-to-door flyer you can use to reach out to your neighbors in support of this project.
  • Help us collect a specific item on our wish list... have a poster making party, host a new and gently used DVD drive, a pillows for patriots drive, etc.
  • Host a BBQ or party this summer and ask each guest to bring an item from our wish list.
  • Start a letter writing campaign... of thanks. Try to get everyone you know to write a welcome home and thank you letter for us to include in our gift bags.
  • Start collecting gently used men's magazines (no older than 3 months please). Sports Illustrated and Men's Health are favorites.
  • Host a yard sale and donate proceeds to OHH to purchase needed items.
THANK YOU to the following schools who hosted drives for ORP this school year: Ladera Ranch Elementary School, Oso Grande Elementary School, St. Margarets, Saddleback Valley Christian, Aliso Viejo Christian, Laguna Hills High School, Las Flores Middle, Robinson Elementary and St. Johns Episcopal School.
 
 
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!
 
In 2011, OHH welcomed home over 4,400 Marines and Sailors from deployment through this important project thanks to people like you! 
 
 
 
 

Operation Christmas Spirit 2011


In 2011, OHH "adopt" 92 military families and made their Christmas wish lists a reality.
This is all thanks to people like you!
 
The families who benefit from our annual OCS drives are identified by leadership in chosen, deploying units as those who could use Christmas assistance OR  the command feels they deserve a special thanks. 

Operation Christmas Spirit 2011 supported families from the following units: 1/5, 2/5, 3/5, 2/4, 1st CEB, 1st LAR, 5th Marines HQ Co, 2/1, 3/1, 1st Recon, CLR 17, HMLA 169, 7th ESB, and  1stMarDiv HQ.

Visit our Operation Christmas Spirit Page for more detailed information and a LIST OF INDIVIDUAL ANGEL TREE WISHES as examples for next year.

Here is a basic timeline used for our 2011 Operation Christmas Spirit Drive:
  • Mid-October: OCS Committee met to go over requests and select unit recipients
  • End of October: wish lists distributed to chosen units (deploying units only)
  • November 1st: Wish lists due
  • November 7-30th families assigned to donors/ angel trees
  • December 6th: Gift wrapping and early bird adoption "drops"
  • December 7th: Gift distributions and Christmas parties
  • December 13th: Arroyo Vista Holiday Care Packs
10 Ways YOU can support a  military family next holiday season:
1. "Adopt" a family with your group, school or business. Email "adoption" coordinator, Kristen Lanham at kristenlanham@me.com
2. Purchase a wish list item from our Angel Tree. 
3. Donate gift cards for families to purchase their own Christmas gifts and needed items. 
4. Donate toys for children ages 1-12.
5. Make and donate handmade holiday goodies -- blankets, crafts, ornaments, cookies, etc. for us to add into our Christmas baskets.
6. Assemble and create holiday craft kits for families to assemble together. 
7. Donate online (link at top of page) with a note for OCS, and we'll do shopping for you.
8. Donate gifts families can use together -- games, movie tickets, amusement park tickets, photo sessions, etc.
9. Donate your services and talents -- hair stylists, photographers, self defense lessons, etc.
10. Donate a holiday meal -- box up and decorate goods for a family to cook up a holiday meal of their own or donate grocery gift cards.
 

OHH would like to thank St. John's School and the City of Rancho Santa Margarita for graciously hosting gift delivery and pick-up sites. A very special thank you to Guazzos Catering and Tutto Fresco who provided breakfast and lunch to our special recipients.

 

 



 

OHH Baby! 
(Operation Help A Hero) Baby Showers
 
Help Us Pamper and Unite 2/5's New and Expecting Mommies During Their Afghanistan Deployment 
 We are hosting a  shower to pamper 25 mommies from 2/5 on April 22nd with 2/5's Adoptive City, Rancho Santa Margarita.
 
 
ALL VOLUNTEER SLOTS FOR THE APRIL 22ND BABY SHOWER ARE NOW FULL! 
 
Click here to go to our OHH Baby Shower Page
 
Want to "adopt" your own mommy? Contact OHH's Baby Shower co- Coordinator,  Laura Hopper at ttalhopstop@aol.com
 
To volunteer your time or talents for our OHH Baby showers, contact OHH Baby's shower co-Coordinator, Cindy Farnum at cfarnum@operationhelpahero.com
 
 
Items we could ALWAYS use for our
 OHH baby showers:
  •  Diapers and wipes (sizes newborn through size 4)
  • Baby blankets                                                      
  • Baby books and parenting books                              
  • Larger items that can often be a huge financial burden on our military families like: car seats, strollers, cribs, bouncers, swings, high chairs and pac n'plays
  • Gift cards to Babies R'US, Target and Walmart which will enable mommies to purchase needed registry items     
  • Baby bjorn carriers and floor mobile gyms
  • Formula and bottling supplies           
  • Baby toys and teddy bears
  • Diaper bags
  • White onesies
Here are just some of the mommies/units we have helped through our OHH Baby Showers in 2011:
1. A shower benefitting 26 mommies from 3/5 on January 23rd. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
2. A shower benefitting 27 mommies from 2/5 on March 20th MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
3. A shower benefitting 37 mommies from 1/5 on June 26th MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
4. Shower for HMLA 168 -- 18 mommies
5. Baby Shower for 23 mommies from 7th ESB on September 13th -- MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
6. Baby Shower for 24 2/4 mommies on November 6th.

Our Projects

 Operation Rack Pack (Barracks Project)
 Operation Christmas Spirit
OHH Camp JOY/ Mom's Day Off (pictures of 2/25/2012 camp added)
OHH Baby Showers
 OHH School Clubs
 Unit Support Events 
 Operation Bedtime Stories(book recording project) 
 Operation Enduring Support for Families in Crisis 
  
 
Current projects, recent accomplishments and how you can help:
 Upcoming Events:
Please note, due to the nature of our projects/assistance, some events have months locked on but no dates until closer to the project. Reminder: our barracks projects are NOT coordinated on return dates. Actual return dates are not given to us for Operational Security precautions.

FEBRUARY 2012

  • 25th: OHH Camp JOY/ Mom's Day off for 1/4
MARCH 2012

  • Operation Rack Pack for 2/4 (Mid and end of March. Date will be announced on 2/15)
  • 20-21 Operation Bedtime Stories for CLB 5
APRIL 2012
  • 22nd: OHH Baby Shower for 2/5
MAY 2012
  • Operation Rack Pack for 3/1
  • 20th OHH Camp JOY/ Mom and Dad's Day Off for CLB 5
JUNE 2012
  • Operation Rack Pack for 1/4
JULY 2012
  • Fundraising month
  • Operation Rack Pack for HMM 268
AUGUST 2012
  • Operation Rack Pack for 2/5 (may be sooner)
  • Operation Rack Pack for 5th Marines HQ
SEPTEMBER 2012
  • MONTH STILL OPEN FOR A PROJECT!!! 
OCTOBER 2012
  • Operation Rack Pack for CLB 5
NOVEMBER 2012
  • Begin Operation Christmas Spirit
DECEMBER 2012
  • Operation Christmas Spirit
To sign up to volunteer for any of the above projects or get your group, business, or church involved, please email our volunteer coordinator, Cindy Farnum with the project as the subject line, your name and a confirmation email will be sent to you. cfarnum@operationhelpahero.com 


 
 Job Well Done and Thank You!
OHH would like to thank all the generous donors and volunteers who made the following projects successful since we officially went non-profit in 2009 (although we've been doing this since 2001!):
  • 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
  • June/July 2010: Operation Rack Pack  for 300 Marines and Sailors returning from Afghanistan from 2/5
  • July 2010: OHH Baby Shower for 25 of CLB 5's new and expecting mommies
  • August 2010: OHH Baby Shower for over 25 of the School of Infantry's new and expecting mommies
  • September 2010: "Have a Ball" fundraiser for 2/5 in partnership with the City of Rancho Santa Margarita and Philly's Best
  • September 2010: Albertsons and Pavilions Drives to benefit ORP and OES programs
  • October 2010: Operation Rack Pack for CLB 5 and attachments
  • November 2010: Operation Rack Pack for 3/1
  • November 2010: OHH Baby Shower assistance for HMM 167
  • December 2010: Operation Christmas Spirit for 55 lucky Marine Corps families and a truckload of support for 2/1
  • January 2011: OHH Baby Shower for 3/5
  • March 2011: OHH Baby Shower for 2/5
  • April 2011: Operation Rack Pack for 3/5
  • May 2011: Operation Rack Pack for 2/1
  • May 2011: Operation Rack Pack for HMLA 169
  • May/June 2011: Operation Rack Pack for 2/5
  • July 2011: OHH Baby Shower for 1/5
  • July 2011: Family day carnival for 2/5
  • August 2011: Kiddie Camp for 2/5's Jane Wayne Day 
  • September 2011: Patriot's Day Fundraiser 
  • September 2011: OHH Baby Shower for 7th ESB
  • September 2011: Operation Rack Pack for 1/1
  • October 2011: Operation Rack Pack for 1/5
  • October 2011: Operation Rack Pack for 7th ESB
  • November 2011: OHH Baby Shower for 2/4 
  • November 2011: Operation Rack Pack for 7th ESB
  • November 2011: Operation Christmas Spirit Part I (1/5, 2/5, 3/5, 2/4, 2/1, 3/1, 1st LAR, 1st CEB, 1st Recon, RCT 5)
  • December 2011: Operation Christmas Spirit, parts II-VI (92 family wish lists, 39 Marines returning to barracks and over 350 additional children served)
  • December 2011: Operation Welcome Home for RCT 5 mid-way returns
  • January 2012: Operation Bedtime Stories for 2/5
  • February 2012: OHH Camp JOY (Mom's Day Off) for 101 kiddos with deployed parents
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. OES has served military families in many other circumstances and situations. Please consider donating to this program to help OHH have the resources to support our heroes in crisis.
 
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. 
Want to volunteer or get more involved with OHH? 
We feel that it takes a village to support our troops, and the more hands we have, the more served. 
We welcome you to get involved and learn more. 
Here are some suggestions to get started:
1. Sign up for our e-newsletter using the form at the bottom of this page. 
2. Check out the list of upcoming events above.
3. "Like" our Facebook page for daily opportunities and reminders
4. Email our volunteer coordinator, Cindy Farnum at cfarnum@operationhelpahero.com with the following information:
    -- The date of the event you're signing up for in the subject line
    -- Your full name and the full names of any other volunteers you'll be bringing with you. 
   -- Good contact informaion
    -- If you are signing up with a small group, troop, school, business, church, etc.
5. Can't commit to an event but want to give an hour or two a couple times a month? Send an email to Cindy (email address above) with your availability, and we will take you up on the help! 
6. Have special talents to share? Let us know... We could especially use the talents of graphic artists, massage therapists, photographers, handymen, stylists and childcare providers.
7. If you have a small group, business, school or church that would like to get involved, let us know. Our coordinators will contact you and set a meeting to go over possibilities and ways we can support your efforts. We can even plan events around your group's schedule with enough participation. cfarnum@operationhelpahero.com 
 
                                     


Copyright 2011, Operation Help a Hero, Inc.
Operation Help a Hero is an IRS approved 501 (c) (3) public charity. Tax ID #: 27-1438256. Your donations are tax deductible. 
Operation Help a Hero, formerly known as Operation Sweet Dreams, has served Marine Corps units in Southern California since 2001. 
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.
P.O. Box 80996, Rancho Santa Margarita, Ca 92688
 
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