Support Vin Contento Competing in Ironman Mont-Tremblant in Montreal Canada in honor of Operation Hug-A-Hero!

Vin Contento is an age group triathlete who has been competing in long distance endurance events for the last seven years. He began running to get into shape and live a healthier lifestyle, running half and full marathons, but soon was eager for a new challenge. Triathlon was that next challenge; he began with shorter distance triathlons and soon worked his way up to full ironman distance races. His next race will take him just north of Montreal, Canada for the inaugural Ironman Mont-Tremblant. Iron distant triathlons consist of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and a 26.2 mile run. He completed Ironman Florida in 2010. This will be his second Ironman race.

Vin lives in Camden, Maine with his wife Alison, and two daughters Sarah and Caroline who love to cheer him on.  Vin is also the brother of one of our Board of Directors, Mrs. Carla Olivo, our Communications Director.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you, Vin for selecting Operation Hug-A-Hero to benefit from your hard work!  We wish you the best of luck and we are honored you have chosen us to support!  Good luck, Vin!  We are rooting for you!

 

To donate in support of Vin’s awesome challenge, please head on over to our Donations page and simply add a note reflecting VC-Tri.

Grey Oaks Country Club Supports Operation Hug-A-Hero

The wonderful community of Grey Oaks Country Club is holding their 4th golf tournament in support of Operation Hug-A-Hero on Saturday July 21st.  Our Executive Director, Lisa Berg will be present to personally thank the community and golfers for their generosity.  Their continued support and participation is a testament to the SW Florida community – rich in patriotism and home to many retired service members.

OPERATION Hug-A-Hero volunteer, Michael Cox, whose son-in-law is a United States Marine, has led the effort to establish the tradition of a series of golf tournaments to benefit OPERATION Hug-A-Hero at premier golf courses in SW Florida.  Cox’s goal is to continue to support non-profit organizations who provide resources to our military.  We are honored to accept their support once again, helping our little heroes left behind.

For more information, please contact us at info AT operationhugahero.org!

Way to go Mike and our thanks to all of the players for their support!

Allstate Insurance Company adds Operation Hug-A-Hero to their Annual Giving Campaign

Operation Hug-A-Hero® is proud and humbled to announce its selection by Allstate Insurance Company to be part of the company’s annual Giving Campaign.  This provides Allstate Insurance employees and agents the option to donate to the Operation Hug-A-Hero® cause. Any donations made to the organization from April 2-20 by Allstate’s employees and agents will also be matched up to 15% by the nation’s largest public insurer. This comes at a perfect time as April is nationally recognized as the Month of the Military Child, which allows us all to pay tribute to our Littlest Heroes on the homefront.

Thank you for keeping us in Good Hands, Allstate!

Operation Hug-A-Hero 3rd Annual Holiday Hugs Campaign

 

There is still time to participate in Operation Hug-A-Hero’s 3^rd Annual Holiday Hugs Campaign. Local businesses, schools, churches, military spouses’ clubs and other interested organizations are invited to adorn a holiday tree with Holiday Hug ornaments. A $17 donation ensures a Hug-A-Hero doll will be gifted to an eligible child. Donors can write a personal message to the recipient on the back of their ornament which will be used as a gift tag for the Hug-A-Hero doll that will be sent to the child.  See our Press Release here

Beyond the Uniform Book Benefits Operation Hug-A-Hero

Operation Hug-A-Hero to Receive Proceeds from Sale of “Beyond The Uniform”

Operation Hug-A-Hero is pleased to announce a partnership with “Beyond the Uniform”, every military girl’s survival guide. The authors, Megan Bekkedahl and Melaina Lausen will graciously donate 100% of the proceeds from the sale of their newly released “Beyond The Uniform”, a 226 page guide for those married to or dating someone in uniform.

“Beyond The Uniform” is a collection of stories covering a wide variety of topics concerning military life. These inspirational, sometimes funny, and always interesting stories feature tips on surviving deployment, making new friendships and even includes recipes for entertaining!

The Operation Hug-A-Hero program provides a tangible, comforting connection between military children and their deployed or fallen military loved one. Hug-A-Hero dolls, featuring the photo of the military loved one, become a constant companion for many military children as they face doctor’s visits, tough days at school, or long nights missing the absent parent.

“We believe each child experiencing the absence of a parent deployed or the permanent absence of a parent who has fallen in the line of duty deserves the extra comfort our Hug-A-Hero dolls provide, “ said Lisa Berg, Executive Director, Operation Hug-A Hero. “Each Hug-A-Hero doll is one of a kind.”

Operation Hug-A-Hero salutes the generosity of Ms. Bekkedahl and Ms Lausen. We encourage everyone to purchase their copy of “Beyond The Uniform” to support giving America’s littlest heroes their very own Hug-A-Hero doll. To purchase your copy, simply go to Lulu.com.

For more information contact Lisa Berg, OHAH Executive Director lisa AT operationhugahero.org or Carla Olivo, OHAH Director of Communications media AT operationhugahero.org

Hittin’ the Links for OPERATION Hug-A-Hero – SOLD OUT

Friends of OPERATION Hug-A-Hero in Naples, FL are hosting their inaugural golf tournament in the SW Florida area at the Grey Oaks Country Club on Saturday, June 18, 2011.  It is only fitting that this tournament coincide with Father’s Day weekend, as so many of the heroes that we honor at OPERATION Hug-A-Hero are fathers that are deployed in harm’s way.  The tournament’s capacity of 80 players was quickly reached – a testament to the SW Florida community – rich in patriotism and home to many retired service members.

OPERATION Hug-A-Hero volunteer, Michael Cox, whose son-in-law is a United States Marine, has led the effort to establish the tradition of a series of golf tournaments to benefit OPERATION Hug-A-Hero at premier golf courses in SW Florida.  Cox’s goal is to organize at least 2 more tournaments in 2011.

For more information, please contact us at info AT operationhugahero.org!

Way to go Mike and our thanks to all of the players for their support!

Update on Family Fun Run in Walled Lake, Michigan

Just a reminder that the 3rd Annual 5K and Family Fun Run in Walled Lake, Michigan will be held Saturday May 29th.  This event supports Operation Hug-A-Hero and The Fallen and Wounded Soldiers Fund.  It should prove to be a fun event! The Support Our Troops 5K Run will begin with a grand opening celebration that includes an Honor Guard flag raising ceremony and the national anthem performed by local singer Gracie Jessup. All runners and walkers will enjoy a healthy brunch after the event provided by Uptown Grille and Great Harvest Bread in Commerce Township.

For more information please go to the Walled Lake, MI website for more information or to Run Michigan dot com to register!

Press release for 3rd Annual 5K and Family Fun Run

Memorial Golf Tournament

In memory of Lt Robert (Bart) Fletcher, his parents, Jack and Ginny Luther are holding a golf tournament in memory of him.  They would like military-affiliated non-profit organizations to benefit from their organization.  This is a great way to keep his spirit alive.

For more information please see this story about this golf tournament:  http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2011/apr/27/foundation-plans-benefit-golf-tournament-in-memory/

We Heart the Troops Memorial Day Celebration and Benefit May 13th

We Heart the Troops Memorial Day Celebration & Benefit in tribute to the thousands of service members who have served.  This event will take place on May 13th starting at 8pm at the Newport Beachside Resort in Miami.

We appreciate the We Heart the Troops foundation for choosing Operation Hug-A-Hero as one of their beneficiaries to this event.  To register for this event in advance, please go to EventBrite.

Schools “Dress Down” for OPERATION Hug-A-Hero

Schools “Dress Down” for OPERATION Hug-A-Hero

Join us in celebrating the Month of the Military Child by “Dressing Down” at your school!  Don’t have a uniform dress code at your school?  Join us in a “Pennies for Heroes” fund drive instead!

For our “Dress Down” fundraiser, you determine the amount of the donation that earns your students a dress down day, and we will provide a customized promotional flyer template for you to promote your tribute to military children.

For our “Pennies for Heroes” fundraiser, put a collection receptacle in your school office, cafeteria, gymnasium during sporting events and raise funds for OPERATION Hug-A-Hero!  Again, we will provide a promotional flyer for you to  post and distribute to your students and on your website.

For more information, contact our Director of Development, Stephanie Crabb at 888-HUG-0329, ext 113 or Stephanie At operationhugahero.org. 

Down Load a Full Resolution PDF -SAMPLE-Version of our Dress Down FLYER

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