What We Do
We work with a large network of AW2 (Army Wounded Warrior) Advocates, VA Healthcare professionals, schools, and other not-for-profit organizations to locate and provide temporary needed support. That support includes, but is not necessarily limited to:
(1) Temporary monthly expenses and emergency repairs on homes and cars
(2) Emergency travel expenses: Medical trips to Walter Reed, BAMC (Brooke Army Medical Center), etc., are paid for through an expense reporting system for the service member but not a caregiver, such as a spouse and children. Those expenses, such as hotel, airfare, and food can be very costly for the service member's family.
(3) Service animal expenses: Training and care for the animal can be costly and is not always covered as a benefit of service.
(4) Family events: We host family events to promote family togetherness and re-unity. Service members may find it difficult to return to a normal family atmosphere when returning from extended overseas deployment. These hosted events are designed to get all of the family members into an opportunity for fun and participation and hopefully great memories. These include: "Father's Day at Worlds of Fun," local professional ball games (Royals, Chiefs, T-Bones, Sporting), and Pheasant Hunts.
(5) Operation Santa Gifts: Our Christmas support is for the children of the service member. As we all know, Christmas is a time of joy and happiness, and family togetherness. But it can also be very stressful and overwhelmingly expensive. We offer a Santa program that includes the children sending us their Santa wish lists (typically through the AW2 advocates in the VA and a few other not-for-profit organizations). Then volunteers will "adopt" a family and spend their time, and often their own (tax-deductible) money, to shop for the children in that family. Easily the most expensive and most satisfying program that we currently provide.
(6) School expenses: Beginning of the year school supplies, new and gently used backpacks, summer lunch programs for service members and children that are on free or reduced lunch at school. Also, AP course cost that may be too expensive, but the student qualifies for.
That's where you come in. These programs are all valuable and important and paid for through individual and corporate donations and partnerships. 90%+ of every dollar donated goes right back out to the veterans, active military, and first responders that we support. At Heroes Among Us, there are no salaries or rent to be paid. We are all volunteers. We're honored and privileged to support the United States' true 1% for what they have done, are doing, and will continue to do.