SERvice TO MAnkind Award from Tampa Gem SERTOMA Club

Operation Hug-A-Hero is humbled to receive the SERvice TO MAnkind award this week from the Tampa Gem SERTOMA Club on Thursday, Sept 22nd in Tampa.  Executive Director Lisa Berg and Key Volunteer Ellen Kluver will accept the award on behalf of our entire Operation Hug-A-Hero team.  The Tampa Gem SERTOMA Club has helped place many dolls into the arms of children in need by their continued generous donations to our cause.

Operation Hug-A-Hero Supports our Nation’s Fallen Heroes

The Operation Hug-A-Hero family extends their heartfelt prayers and sympathy to the families of the 30 U.S. Special Operations Troops killed over the weekend in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan. These fallen heroes will always be cherished by their loved ones and their bravery and service to their country will never be forgotten by a grateful nation.

Operation Hug-A-Hero would like to offer each child affected their own custom-made Hug-A-Hero Doll of their fallen hero, their daddies. We believe our special dolls can provide a tangible, comforting connection for these children in the coming transitional months.

If you know a child directly affected by this recent tragedy who might benefit from a Hug-a-Hero doll, please contact Operation Hug-A-Hero at (888) HUG-0329, ext. 101 (484-0329).

If you would like to help Operation Hug-A-Hero in providing a little comfort to the children of our fallen heroes, please go to www.operationhugahero.org to make your tax-deductible donation.
We have set up Special Monitoring of our phone lines for this so that we can promptly respond to assist the Children (our little Heroes)  in their time of need.

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

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

Thanksgiving & Holiday Season message from OHAH CTO

photo © 2010 Jerry | more info (via: Wylio)
The whine of turbine motors and the Whup..Whupp.. Whuppp of the rotor blades from a UH-60 Black-Hawk helicopter swooping over the top of my CHU(Container-Housing-Unit) on this cool pre-dawn morning, mark the beginning of just another day here in Baghdad, Iraq.

It’s most likely the same for troops fighting in Afghanistan, many without the luxury of a CHU, sleeping in tents or wherever they can lie down or find some small bit of concealment and respite from the weather and the enemy.

Today is Thanksgiving Day 2010 and I am reminded by my surroundings that each day, courageous men and women who serve overseas face extreme hardships.

Currently over 250 thousand military members are deployed overseas.

Many troops are deployed in far off reaches of the globe. Some on ships a few on submarines and many in other far off places on foreign lands. Over 130 thousand in Afghanistan, 50 thousand in Iraq and close to 30 thousand in South Korea. The remainder in other far off reaches of the World in support of US Interest’s, protecting our Country and Way of life.

While living conditions are one hardship, the one that is the most difficult is the separation from family. This is not a one way event, as the dependents of our military members suffer from the long separations too.

As a veteran I believe, that everyone that serves their country in time of need is a Hero. Unfortunately, oftentimes overlooked in the process is the littlest Hero’s. These are the children of deployed service members who are missing their mom or dad right now.

Around this time of the year, as many of us begin to celebrate our blessings, often our thoughts turn towards our families and those in need. I think it’s time to remind all and to reemphasize the needs that children of deployed service members have.

Two key reports this year, one from the New England Journal of Medicine and the other by the Rand Corporation clearly show the pain from separation and the need.

The NEJM report along with the RAND report signify that children of military parents are adversely impacted emotionally with a parent who is deployed away from home for significant amount of time. This is the main reason that Operation Hug-A-Hero was created. We can and have made huge positive psychological impacts to the children that are recipients of our FREE Hug-A-Hero® dolls.

Our troops have made the sacrifice. Their commitment to serve their country and the American people is unwavering. We at home have so much to be thankful for even in these troubled times.

May your thoughts be with our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guard and Civilians stationed throughout the world, as is ours.

As today starts the major celebration period for our nation my hope is that from today on and all through the Holidays, you will think of them and help us to bring a little Homeland Security to their little Heroes left behind.

There are many ways that you can help us to meet our mission.

• One simple way is to pass this message along to others; family, friends or co-workers. ( Share Save)
• Email, Tweet or re-Tweet this article,
• join our cause on Face Book
• Subscribe to our News Letter
• Comment on this article.

Of course you can also make a contribution by volunteering or helping to run a fund raising event or even by making a tax deductible donation.

Fortunately, these days, it’s easier than ever to help others. You don’t have do any heavy lifting, or even make any trips  With just a couple minutes and a few mouse clicks, you can donate and save money while you’re doing your Holiday Shopping.  Please remember us on Black Friday and Cyber Monday by visiting igive.com

Our Holiday Hugs event for 2010 will launch within the next week – Hug-A-Hero is inviting retailers, businesses, schools, churches and other interested organizations to adorn a holiday tree with OHAH Holiday Hug “ornaments.” Each ornament represents a Hug-A-Hero doll for a child, for a small donation.

If you are into Social Media and want to help with Fund Raising you can also start your own campaign to support OHAH via Crowd rise.

Whatever avenue you choose to assist us in getting our message out, we will all be eternally grateful for your kind gesture and assistance in helping to support our troops and the little Heroes.

Sincerely,

Thomas Townsend

CTO

Operation Hug-A-Hero

Baghdad, Iraq

Benefit Harley RIDE Sunday April 11 NPR, FL

Just a quick reminder of our Benefit Ride on Sunday April 11, 2010 to be held at Gulf Coast Harley Davidson. A map is below for you to view or you can DOWN LOAD a copy of the Ride Map and print it off, or email to a friend or neighbor.

Even if you are not into Motorcycles,  please come on down and join in the festivities. This Benefit Ride is for a Great Cause as we join our Military Community here in the Tampa Bay Area in Celebrating APRIL the Month of the Military Child., and Celebrate a Hero’s Life by honoring local fallen hero, Sergeant Mike Rowe. There will be a music provided by 2’s Company (local band) along with WQYK radio station.

All the Fun starts at 10:00 AM when you can register for the Ride Event, or you can pre-register for the Motorcycle event right here on the site by using our On Line Registration Process

For more information on the Event please be sure to view our related articles:

Sergeant Mike Rowe-to be Honored at Benefit Ride

Wanted Sponsors & Participants for Harley Ride

We hope to see you there, for a fun filled day.

Seeking Sponsors and Participants for Harley RIDE April 11 NPR FL

Spring is on the way and OPERATION Hug-A-Hero is starting to plan for events in April celebrating Month of the Military Child.  This year Operation Hug-A-Hero will be working with Gulf Coast Harley Davidson of Tampa Bay/New Port Richey, FL, to help Sponsor a unique fund raising event RIDE.

This will be a great event to support our Military Children and Operation Hug-A-Hero. If you own a motorcycle (does not have to be a Harley), come on out and show your support during April - Month of the Military Child! On Sunday, April 11th, cruise on out to Gulf Coast Harley Davidson to join all in support of this great cause! Registration at 10am (early registration on our website or by walking in to GCHD). Just an hour run and come back to enjoy free giveaways, Live Music, Plenty of Vendors, Food and more. A special appearance by a gentleman who lost his son in the war and has turned his son’s bike into a Military Bike in Memory of him. Most importantly, you are supporting our Little Heroes left behind who are proudly waiting for their own Hero to return.

TWO ways to register for this event :

1. Select our On Line Registration Process, and pay by Credit Card or via PayPal

2. Or you can Down Load a Registration Form (below) and mail a check to OHAH:

Registration Form:

Event Flyer:

GREAT sponsorship opportunities! Become our MAIN sponsor and your company gets to lead this ride, all the media coverage surrounds YOUR name! Several levels of sponsorship available. T-shirt space, Vendor Booths, Banner space, Donate Raffle Prizes with your name on it, etc.!

Download our 2010 SPONSOR Prospectus or Contact Lisa Berg for more information!

SPONSOR Prospectus:

Vote Operation Hug-A-Hero into CauseWorld!

Our Military Families need our help more than ever, and now you have a chance to help them by helping OPERATION-Hug-A-Hero, and its’ as simple as a vote.

Vote Operation Hug-A-Hero into CauseWorld!

We are listed as (Support our men in service with: Operation Hug-A-Hero)

CauseWorld is an iPhone and Android phone application that allows users to earn free donations for their favorite non-profits just by walking into any store.

CauseWorld app users earn “karma points” when they walk into stores and check in with their cell phone. No purchase is required at any store, and karma points can be redeemed nine predefined good causes. Big brands like Kraft Foods and Citi (both are on board) then turn the karmas into real dollar donations to those causes. Food for poor families, water in Sudan, trees in the Amazon, etc. are examples of the causes.

Here’s how it works: You open the application on your phone and see local businesses (instead of showing everything around you, CauseWorld only shows businesses that you can check into for karmas). Enter the store, check in, and get the karma points offered to you. Once you’ve collected enough karmas you can donate them to a variety of causes and you get badges for various activities. And of course we would like you to be able to select Operation-Hug-A-Hero from the list of available causes so you can help us continue our mission while enjoying this neat application,

CauseWorld, “the first mobile application that let’s you do good deeds simply for walking into a store.” The application is currently available on the CauseWorld web site for both the iPhone and Adroid based phones.The iPhone version is also available from the appstore and soon the application will become available for more mobile platforms.

In order for Operation-Hug-A-Hero to be listed as one of the causes on this application, we need your help, we need you to VOTE and then tell a friend and a family member to VOTE .

We thank you and our Hug-A-Hero kids will thank you even more.

It’s really a very simple thing to do that can have the net effect of you being able to help our military family’s and their children, if we can get listed on the CauseWorld Application.

15 different organizations have been selected for the public to vote, and the top 3 causes will be invited to join. Voting ends on February 28, 2010 and the winners will be announced shortly afterwards. The voting poll can be accessed on the Cause World blog at http://blog.causeworld.com

Related Posts:

A Call to action: How YOU can help us spread the word

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