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How did Hero To Hero Begin?
HeroToHero.Us was started by Liz Jackson in Tacoma Washington shortly after September 11th, 2003. The war had begun, and a news story was done on the "Heroes of 9-11". Sadly, the segue from that story was the introduction of a "hero" ... A gentleman who had the nicest kept lawn in town ... To say the least, it lessened the meaning of the word hero.
Liz approached a Fort Lewis Soldier and asked how it felt to be a hero. He replied that he was not a hero, just doing his job. To him, the heroes were the first responders back home taking care of his family while he was away. He said if he wasn't focused he might not return ... They let him focus, knowing his loved ones were safe.
Following up, the same question was put to a Lakewood, Washington firefighter who responded instantly that he was no hero, just doing his job. And the true heroes were the ones putting their lives on the line in the sand since 9-11.
Hmmm ... So how do you get these groups who obviously admire and support one another together?
Just after these words were uttered, the first thing that was apparent was the logo over this firefighter's heart. The department logo bore the name of the hometown he worked for. Every troop deployed is from a hometown somewhere and the ultimate show of support is to give someone the shirt off your back.
Liz was part of another support effort, and suggested the idea to them. They liked it, but were geared more to send holiday packages. And besides they already had a Valentine's Day program with a very similar name. This group was Liz's first support for this effort, but they were not able to dedicate to the effort to the depths she envisioned. They shipped the first batch of 800 shirts, and it was agreed that Liz would take her idea and develop it as she had intended. HeroToHero.US was born and has now shipped 30,000 shirts, and has sent countless packages. Both organizations are doing the right thing for the troops but have traveled down different paths, parting with mutual respect and friendship.
It was the original groups founder who came up with the idea of adding written messages to the shirts, which has become a favorite part of the program.
How can my unit get shirts?
Starting with the 2009 shipping of t-shirts, there will be some major differences in how the program works for U.S. and Canadian first responders and troops.
U.S. troops need to check out the FAQ's on the HeroToHero.US side of this website.
Canadian troops need to do the following.....
Shirts are collected from first responders all year long with February 14th. being the cutoff date for the year.
Everything received by this date is now readied for shipment to deployed troops. Troops who will be deployed for at least 3 months after Feb/14 can request shirts for their complete unit/platoon/crew etc. It is first come, first served. It takes 3-4 weeks for shirts to arrive in theatre and we want to stagger the shipments so as not to overload the re-supply system.
I will then contact you directly regarding the details of your adoption.
Shirts will be sent to any Canadian troops deployed anywhere outside Canada, including ships deployed at sea.
You can help by making sure that your hometown hears about the program and better your chance at getting YOUR hometown shirts. Let them know about the program and ask them to support their hometown heroes.
How do you fund Hero To Hero?
We are registered 501c3 nonprofit corporation in the United States.
We are not a registered charity in Canada.
Liz, the core team and all our Hero To Hero supporters have done a lot of work to get the program where it is today... But don't anticipate going the way of the big charities. This program is about morale, not numbers.
We've done car washes, sold t-shirts, and now have the Hero/Honor challenge coins to help us with operating costs. Heck, Aaron & JJ got donations for hugs, at the Post Office, when we shipped the last batch of shirts ... You do what you gotta do, ya know?
We are very proud of the fact that we have accomplished the collecting and shipping of 30,000 shirts to our troops without a major sponsor ... Through sheer dedication, hard work, and the donations of people who gave from their hearts, not their tax advisors.
We're also very proud that it was the efforts of a very small contingent of volunteers that have made this possible ... less than a dozen, in any year! Now, we're growing.
In September 2007 Liz was stricken with a medical condition that has limited her mobility. Because of this the annual tours have been put on hold for the foreseeable future and the U.S. side of the program underwent a major overhaul. As one of our heroes put it, it's time for you guys to be her legs, and help carry the load. We think we've made good decisions on how to carry the program forward.
In Canada we have been fortunate in that we don't have to pay to ship shirts to our troops.
Through the support of the Department of National Defence we are able to ship our shirts at no cost.
It cost Liz $8,000.00 in postage to ship shirts to U.S. troops in 2008!
HeroToHero.US has been supporting the Canadian program by providing many of the items we require to promote the program such as the banners we get signed everywhere we go, the costs of running the website, brochures, business cards, etc.
We have reached the point where we will now have to start planning some fundraising events to support the Canadian side of the program.
If any of our supporters wish to support the program by holding a car wash, BBQ or any similar activity, we would be grateful. These types of events also generate publicity for the program which in turn generates shirts for the troops!
How can I help?
If you aren't a first responder ... you know one, or you have several in your hometown. Make sure they know about the program.
Let your deployed loves ones know about the HeroToHero.US and Hero To Hero Team Canada Troop Morale Campaign.
Make a donation. Buy a t-shirt, or coin.
Get on "our mailing list", so you know what's coming up, and the way you can help for various events.
*TOURS ARE ON HOLD UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE -- As the annual morale tour comes around, we always need gas cards, or gift cards for food chains around the country.
If your city is a stop on the tour, we can always use ideas to make the stop even better. Sometimes, we choose a city due to its location on the route, or because a troop has asked us to make sure their hometown is involved. On some of those stops, we might not have a solid point of contact. You might be the key to breaking the code that gets us in the door.
What kind of shirts do you mean?
We request t-shirts, bearing department logos. However, it can be most anything with a department logo ...T-shirts ... Hats ... Shorts ... Tank Tops ... Sweats ... Jackets ... Patches, etc
Item can be new (Nice touch), or used.
Most First responders have a closet full of t-shirts from our own Dept's, ones we've visted, a police/fire/ems college, firefighters field day, combat challenge, etc.
Go to your closet once a year and see which ones you can part with, knowing you are going to make a soldiers day by sending it to him/her.
*Criteria for used items ... Items MUST be in such condition that you would be honored to look the troop in the eye as you handed it over. On numerous occasions, troops have stopped by after their deployments, to thank the donating departments (A really nice touch!)
Hats & Boxers MUST be new ... 'nough said. ( ;
Who is eligible to receive shirts?
Any Canadian soldier deployed anywhere outside of Canada (including ships at sea) is eligable to receive shirts.
In previous years we have sent shirts to troops deployed in Sudan, Haiti, Israel and Afghanistan as well as a ship at sea. To learn more about where Canadian troops are deployed click on "Where are our troops?"
In the U.S. shirts have been sent to: Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Djiibouti, & Guantanamo.
Our dept shirts are dark, will messages show up on them?
YES! For dark fabric shirts, use Silver Sharpies (available at office supply stores). If you are concerned about security, make sure to mark lots of messages on the shirts. Or use a Clorox Bleach pen ... just make sure to put something between the front and back material of the shirt so it doesn't seep through and make a real mess.
Permanent ink black Sharpies work great for white, or light colored items.
HINT: Silver Sharpies can be pricey, and they dry out quickly if not stored properly. Also, you'll have better print quality if you don't press hard when you write.
What kind of messages do we write on the shirts?
Words from the heart are always best. We see a lot of ...
"Thank you!" ... ""YOU GUYS ARE THE REAL HEROES!" ... "We've got your back" ... "You make us proud!" ...
You get the idea. Favorite messages have included invites (And many are accepted!) ...
"If you don't like the shirt come trade me for a new one when you get home!" ... "Come have dinner with us when you get back" ... "This shirt is good for one free beer!" ... "Wear this shirt to our department and get a ride along"
Favorite all time message ... (And only shirt we've knowingly sent with a hole in it) ...
On an FDNY shirt, under the logo, with a small scrape and tear on the right shoulder ... "I wore this shirt in to Tower One, September 11th, 2001. I came out alive, so can you. Come have dinner with us when you get home" (Didn't want to let that one go, but it did get sent ... would love to know who got it)
HINT: If you have a huge stack of shirts to add messages to, choose your message, then write that same message on each one. Every shirt goes to a different troop.
Don't forget to attach a business card as well or just a piece of paper with your name and e-mail address.
NO political or pro/anti-war messages.
Also, please keep it clean. Chaplains are often the points of contact for the shirts, and profanity is not acceptable.
Remember, you may very well get a personal visit from a troop who received your shirt. Make sure it's one that will make you proud in this instance.
Did you ever expect this would get so big?
The original concept was that this would be a Washington State program, honoring Washington State deployed troops.
But with the addition of the annual national ... now international tours, and a lot of work by dedicated volunteers, we have grown.
The first year in the U.S. 800 shirts were sent to troops ~ in 2005, 3,100 shirts were shipped~ in 2006, 5,500 were shipped~ in 2007, 7,000 shirts were shipped, in 2008, 7000 shirts were shipped.
In Canada we shipped 228 shirts our first year (2007) and 1200 shirts the second year (2008). We shipped 2200 shirts and 450 hats in March of 2009.
We have given shirts to wounded troops in military hospitals, and various programs.
We have dedicated that as long as our troops are deployed around the world ... As long as the hometown heroes keep supporting the effort ... As long as we are physically able ... We will continue to support our troops by giving them the shirts off our backs.
Yeah, we've grown. Good growth ... great effort ... wonderful people making it all happen. And we applaud you all!
What is the tour about?
Note: Tours were an annual event that we all looked forward to. The pledge was that as long as I was physically able, I would tour for the troops - (Honoring our family's fallen hero, Jake). That line was originally meant as a joke, meaning that the war seemed like it was going to last til I was too old for the road. But at the end of 2007 I started having medical issues that impaired mobility. By fall of 2008 the diagnosis was a pretty healthy case of osteo-arthritis in the knees. So until a miracle happens, tours have been ended. There will be random visits to promote the program as possible. This was one of my favorite parts of Hero To Hero, and our intro in Canada, so I am sad that it had to end. To misquote a favorite first responder regarding the situation ... "You drove around the world, now it's our turn to be your legs 'til you can do it again" Works for me. lj
The original answer to this question:
Ever send out an e-mail, and realize you've probably been "round-filed"?
We send out, probably, thousands of e-mails annually about Hero To Hero. The response from e-mails is about 10-20 percent.
We found that when we went out and visited the hometowns, aside from getting the message out there, the response was over 90 percent.
When the first responders see that we are dedicated enough to make this kind of effort, they step up their dedication and support.
The tours are about honoring hometowns of our deployed. We photo journal all of it, so the troops deployed to the desert can see their hometowns stepping up.
Were it not for the tours, we would not be touching so many with this troop morale campaign.
Do you ever hear back from the troops?
Yes we do! And it is like opening a birthday present you have been waiting for ... for a very long time!
Now, don't take this as law that you will get a response. While we encourage a reply, we cannot guarantee it.
We won't lie to you ... The messages are few compared to the number of shirts we send. But we try to remember what the troops are facing.
In the best of situations, how many of us sit down and write a thank you? Now imagine doing that while you are in a war zone.
We do all we can to encourage the troops to send back photos and messages. Because not only does it feel great, but it is important to the departments donating to the troops to know they are making a difference.
Sometimes we think that there have been no responses, and then we go out on the tour and the station has the responses posted proudly on their walls. Who knew?
We post all the photos and messages we receive, and ask that if you get responses, you drop us a copy to share with everyone.
Troops ... Take a moment to send a thanks back. A smile from you, a few well thought out words, a genuine thank you ... can make a world of difference in how a department will support the next year's efforts. Think of the troop that will take your place.
And please note: If you make an invite to a hometown Troop, don't be surprised when they come by. If you invite them for dinner or a ride-along, be prepared to follow through.
Two Canadian Fire Departments that we know of have received personal visits from returned troops..Sarnia and Windsor Ontario.
How can I contact HeroToHero.US or Hero To Hero Team Canada?
Check the index bar, you will find the "Contact the Team" and "Shipping Address" sections.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions, or concerns, you may have.
Kevin McHarg
Canadian Director
HeroTo Hero Team Canada
1940 Avenue Rd.
Bright's Grove, Ontario
Canada,
N0N1C0
e-mail:mchargs@xcelco.on.ca H-519-869-6940 C-519-464-2644
Who can donate shirts?
Any emergency first responder is asked to donate shirts. We have been pretty broad in who we have added into that category.
FIREFIGHTERS - MUNICIPAL POLICE - STATE PATROL - PROVINCIAL POLICE - RCMP - CANADA BORDER SERVICES AGENCY- EMS - PARAMEDICS - SWAT - CIA - FBI - CUSTOMS - COAST GUARD - U.S.BORDER PATROL - SEARCH & RESCUE - CST's - HURT's - ERT's - HAZMAT - EMERGENCY ROOM PERSONNEL - LIFE FLIGHT - CORRECTIONAL SERVICES - HOSPITAL STAFF - MUNICIPAL ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS - RAILROAD POLICE - RED CROSS - ST JOHNS AMBULANCE
We will not accept shirts from businesses, or politicians/political efforts. This effort honors heroes.
We have made exceptions outside of first responders ... per troop requests ... to allow sports teams to donate items, as many troops have sports heroes.
Aside from their classification as heroes ... What all of these have in common is that they all represent hometowns.
*If we left out a classification, feel free to let us know about it, and we'll add you.
What is the usual procedure to collect shirts?
This has changed, as has the program. You should NOT have anyone asking you to hand them shirts. Your shirts are NOT shipped out by anyone but YOUR department/agency.*
If someone comes to your department asking for shirts, they are obviously not aware of the new program. You can tell them to check the site and contact us directly. Remember the rule, when in doubt, check them out! (Always ask for ID, and then advise us of the visit right away, please).
Core Team Members will have a business card, ID, and you can find their names on our "Contact the Team" page . If they are not there, they are not us!
FYI -- HeroTohero.US is are based in Washington State ... But you can find our official representatives all over North America ...
In Canada all shirts are shipped to Canadian Director Kevin McHarg at the address listed in the "Contact Us" section.
Our other Core Team Members.....
Larry & Chani, Kaibetoney & Leta Kaibetony in Albuquerque NM.
Karen Leming, in Tacoma, WA ... WA State Firefighter Ambassador
Joel Kobersteen, in Fairfax, VA ...U.S. East Coast Ambassador
Karen Barton, in So. Cal ... Southern California Ambassador
Kelly Averbeck, in Idaho ...Idaho Ambassador
*In Canada we have several support team members who have been authorized to physically collect shirts on our behalf. Their photo and info can be found on our "About Us" webpage. They will also present you with a letter of introduction from the Canadian Director of Hero To Hero Team Canada.
Do you have a brochure & how do I get one?
Yes, we do.
In Canada e-mail Kevin McHarg at mchargs@xcelco.on.ca Subject line: Brochure.
Be sure to add your mailing address. We are working to add a version you can easily download ... Along with flyers you can print out as well.
Stay tuned!
Okay, what are you selling?
We are a Washington State registered 501c3 nonprofit -- In fact, NONE of us collects a dime personally. Our teams are all volunteers ... And hard working.
Official fundraising by HeroToHero.US is done primarily at our events, on the annual tours, or (when we get it set up) here on the official site. Typical fundraising for us would be our Honour Coins and Hero To Hero T-shirts.
We don't sell candy bars, cookies, or rescue equipment ... And are NOT affiliated with any program that does.
If anyone shows up at your department selling anything, and represents themselves as having anything to do with Hero To Hero ... Kick them to the curb!!! If you are among those receiving emails asking for shirts that do not come from the actual HeroToHero.US/Hero To Hero Team Canada Troop Morale Campaign, they need to be redirected and reported to us immediately. *Thank you to those California departments that have already given us a heads up. We have advised those involved that they are to stop collecting and advise us of any items already gathered. We are on top of it. Thank you!!!
Remember, please notify us immediately!
What if we don't have department shirts we can donate?
On rare occasion there is a department, whose policy it is, that their department shirts are completely accountable. As such they cannot donate, this is really rare, but it happens. And we get it ... unless we see them for sale on a website.
Those departments have gotten very creative, and have donated shirts, hats, etc., from their town's events "Night Out", "DARE". These shirts still have the hometowns on them. Even if it is a past event, it represents a hometown.
Get some extra drawer space. Rotate out some of the shirts from past conferences, and swaps.
This is a great way to recycle shirts from defunct houses, programs, etc. Sometimes, the printers don't get it just right, and you can't use the shirts. Find out what they're going to do with the mistakes ... We can use them ... Talk about a great way to recycle!
Can we send our shirts to a specific troop?
Okay, the way it works is this ... If YOUR troop is deployed from your department (such as a firefighter/cop, or family member of one) and you send us a box of shirts ... and you KNOW that your troop has requested adoption ...
When you pack the shirts, separate the shirt(s) for your troop by placing them in a large manila envelope with their name and unit address on it. Send us an e-mail advising us of this person, and when to expect this box.
When we receive it, it will be kept separately and a notation is made on this unit's request. We will make every possible effort to get the shirt to your specific troop.
That work?
How do you decide which units get which shirts?
In Canada - ONLY ...
Starting with the 2010 shipment, the program will work this way....any troops who will be deployed for at least 3 months after February 14th. can apply for shirts. Shirts will be offered on a first come, first served basis until they are all spoken for. Troops can go online and contact the Canadian Director. We will then contact you & verify all pertinent info.
We will need to know the following....
- That the troop applying for adoption is willing to accept shirts for his unit and distribute the shirts.
- The exact number of shirts required (one per person)
- Where to ship the shirts.
- The name of your unit, to avoid duplication of shipments.
We used to send all the shirts the last week of February/first week of March but this caused a bit of a problem shipping 30 boxes at one time through the DND supply system.The timing of Canadian troop rotations is also an issue so hopefully extending the shipping period will solve these issues.
Do they really wear these shirts out in the desert?
Well, i'll let a few Canadian soldiers answer that one.....
Hello!
My name is Josh Muir, i am a reservist from Vancouver. i am currently attached to B company, 1 PPCLI, here as the Force Protection Company for the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team (KPRT), in, as you can tell, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan!
I got your shirt and contact info last night after a long partol, and wanted to thank you and your boys as quickly as possible.
We must have got a lot of shirts from the program, as today you could barely see a man who wasn't in uniform not wearing the shirt of some fire company or another, from all over the continent!
They are very popular, and everyone who got one is proud to be wearing it, especially here!
Thank you guys for thanking us, and we are just as prouud of you guys! A great idea, a big morale boost! Much appreciated.
I will send a post card to your station as soon as i can get a good one, and when we have access to faster email connection, look for a pic with as many of the company as i can get wearing your shirt, of course, and as many other ones as i can muster!
Again, good job, and thanks!
Yours truly
Josh Muir
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I'm Warrant Officer Yves Martel, Canadian, based out of CFB KINGSTON ON and i'm deployed to Kandahar, Afganistan for 9 months as part of Regional Command South, RC(S). My section has 32 personnel in it. We all received shirts from various organizations in Ontario through the Hero to Hero. What a great support! you guys fight fires and save lives everyday, and we are here fighting different kinds of fires, but with a goal of improving the lives of local Afghans and saving the future generations from hardships as witnessed in the past.
I would like to express my utmost gratitude and honour of receiving one of your shirts from Hero to Hero campaign.
I was extremely impressed by the idea of the shirt off the back of a Hero for this, and am very proud of the support we receive from all of you inter-national Hero to Hero US and Canadian. I have worn the shirt with pride and have included a picture of me for all of you.
Thanks agains for all of the unwavering support you have shown us, as it is truly appreciated.
Yves Martel
WO
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I am a Captain in the Canadian Armed Forces - Communications and Electronics Engineering. I recently arrived in Sudan as part of the UN effort to assist in implementing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the North and the South, ending 20 years of civil war. I was given one of your t-shirts last week. As you can see from the photo, I am wearing it at the Nubian pyramids at Meroe, about a 3 hour drive north of Khartoum. Must admit, I did not wear the t-shirt all day as it was over 40 deg C (over 100 deg F) and black was likely not the best colour for this occasion, but I did want to wear it for a while in this distinctive location. On Wednesday I will be flying to my teamsite in Aweil (not far from the border with south Darfur). Will try to get a photo from somewhere in the south.
Thanks for the gift.
(Capt) Bill Chambre
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To see the photos mentioned above as well as other e-mails and photos troops have sent us, check out the "Letters from the Troops" and "photo album" sections of our website.
In a perfect world, how would H2H work?
Well, in a perfect world, this program would not be necessary, and all of our loved ones would be home. (And no that is not a political message, just one from the heart)
But, in a perfect world ...
EVERY year, as long as our troops are deployed ... If EVERY first responder would send one shirt on September 11th ... We could make sure that EVERY troop would get a hometown shirt!
There would be no pressure to get a box of shirts to cover for the departments that don't yet participate.
This is very do-able. You can help get the word out. Forward our link out to your entire e-mail list!
Why?
Because the morale of a troop is more important than you might think.
With rare exception, troops get homesick. Troops get bored. Troops get lonely. Troops see more negative/antiwar newsclips and articles, than positive. It may just be a shirt to you, but as a troop told us, with tears in his eyes ... "You see shirts on those tables ... We see home."
This is such a simple effort. This can make such a huge difference to the morale of a troop.
Morale ... that's why.
What are the official dates of the Shirt Drive?
In Canada we welcome shirts 365 days a year!
The "official kickoff" is on September 11th when we remember all those lost in Shanksville, Washington and New York City.
The Hero Shirt Drive then continues through Valentine's Day (Feb 14th), annually.
Just remember Heroes with Heart, and you have the dates!
Besides ... We'll remind you!
Why do you have everyone do the "BadAss" shot?
The idea came to us from a returned troop. When we asked him to pose, this was the pose he assumed, and informed us that this was the BadAss shot.
We don't care how young, or old you are ... You can do a BadAss shot!
We liked it. We always like smiles, and do plenty of smiling photos, but we have now become known for the "BadAss" shot, and have departments requesting we come and do theirs.
Aside from a heartfelt smile, this is our favorite shot. And it is so frequently requested that you will soon be able to link directly to these photos.
You can always send us yours, and we will post them. Be sure to add your department name, and contact info.
How do we become an Official Tour Stop?
Note: Tours have been halted until further notice due to a medical situation for Liz. But we do make every effort to visit departments making requests when possible. It never hurts to ask!
Should we ever be able to restart the annual tours ...
We post the tentative route a few months before we hit the road. Keep watching, and when you see it, let us know where you're located ... Especially if you're along the way.
You can always make a request, and we might add you to the next year's planning. We always do the three 9/11 sites, and there are some towns we visit every year .... and some nearly every year.
We love meeting new people. Drop us an email. Subject line: Request a tour stop.
Where do you get your mascots & who designs them?
While searching the internet looking for the perfect mascot to represent Canada, we came upon a wholesaler in Langley British Columbia called "The Stuffed Animal House". They had what i considered the perfect mascot, a moose dressed in the uniform of an RCMP officer.
I contacted the good folks at The Stuffed Animal House to find out the nearest retailer of their products. When i explained what Hero To Hero was about and that our mascots would travel the country for a year before being retired with honour to a military base or First Responder headquarters, they offered to send us 12 free mascots to show support for our troops. In June of 2008 our first mascot was retired after a year of travelling and collecting pins from various first responders. His name is "Reggie T-Shertz"(short for Regiment) and he now resides in Wolseley Barracks in London, Ontario at the London Military Family Resource Centre.
Our newest mascot has been named Langley T-Shertz in honour of the homewtown of The Stuffed Animal House.
As i write this (July/29/09) Langley is on a plane destined for Afghanistan where he will spend the next few months before returning to his soon to be permanent home at CFB Edmonton.
The Stuffed Animal House stepped up for our troops....check them out at...http://www.stuffedanimalhouse.com/
In the U.S. With rare exception (The original Stunt Bear, to be specific) all of our mascots come to us by way of Build-a-Bear Workshops.
They start out cute and cuddly, and perfect for any teddy bear lover. But these chosen few become -- Sound the trumpets-- Mascots!
So we add our touches to them to make them perfect for their year of duty.
The main mascot is the one that gets the honors ... Collecting pins, badges, etc.
The sidekick aka stunt bear, quite literally, gets the stuffing knocked out of it, doing some of the craziest photo ops ever done to/with a teddy bear.
At the end of their year reign, they are retired for permanent display to various departments that have supported us above and beyond.
Be sure to check out "Our Mascots" on the HeroToHero.US website to learn more.
What is an acceptable donation?
SHIRTS, HATS, PATCHES, SHORTS, SWEATS, JACKETS, COATS, TANK TOPS, etc. Basically, any uniform parts with unit logos on them.
The city, County, or Province on the donated item is very important - so the troops can identify an item from their location.
Be advised that shorts & tank tops are normally set aside for our Wounded.
Cold weather gear finds its way to Afghanistan due to the bitter winter weather they endure. Please be sure to write messages on your donated items.
Not only are your words very important to the receiving Troops, but it also nullifies the piece as uniform wear.
Note: Pins, patches, etc. from your Department/City can be attached to donated items.
Hero To Hero would also welcome one of your Dept. patches for the participating departments' collection.
What is Operation Iraq'n'Robin?
This is part of the U.S. side of the program only at this point.
Proof positive that even a small pair of cardboard glasses can make a troop smile! Imagine what a shirt can do!
Red Robin Restaurants have generously donated the fun glasses they use for parties, birthdays, etc.
We started this the first year of the war, and it has been a small sideline effort to bring smiles when times are tough and the troops are down. We send enough of the glasses to outfit the unit ... usually through the Chaplain.
They hold on to the glasses until they feel it is time to do something to make 'em laugh.
The troops are pulled into formation and told to don their new "equipment", and go about their duties in the camp.
Cameras come out, and we are told laughter ensues.
We've never seen it personally in the desert, but we've tried it out on the road for the last several last years, and it worked every time! Watch for a photo link to those smiles!
Do you send other items/supplies?
Our mission is to send the shirts off the backs of our hometown heroes. On the U.S.side of the H2H program they send Starbucks coffee, and they do the Operation Iraq'n'Robin morale program. Aside from that, no, we do not.
In Canada the sending of gift packages is discouraged by the Department of National Defence due to space limitations on transport aircraft.
We consider ourselves lucky to be able to send our shirts and we are only able to do so due to the great relationships we have formed with the DND, the Military Family Resource Centres and the troops themselves.
For more info on what you can do to support Canadian troops visit the DND website and click on "support our troops"...http://www.dnd.ca/site/home_e.asp
Can we add a business card?
We encourage it!
If you don't have a business card, attach a letter or even just a piece of paper with your name and e-mail address.
Can we send banners, flags, etc, or should it just be shirts?
You sure can.
It is my understanding that all banners that are sent to Canadian troops are being hung in mess tents and other places where troops congregate. When they run out of room for banners, they rotate them on a regular basis.
Your banner may hang for a few weeks and then be taken down for a while and then rehung elsewhere at a later date to insure every banner enjoys some hang time and is seen by the troops.
Units that receive a banner from Hero To Hero are told that the banner is theirs to take home to Canada at the end of their tour.
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