Operation Help a Hero
Serving Those Who Bravely Serve Our Country at Home and Abroad
Donate online.
You can help us where needed most or designate your donation to the project that speaks to your heart.
We are an all volunteer organization. We volunteer our time so 100% of your donations are spent on our programs that serve our ACTIVE DUTY military, WOUNDED WARRIORS* and GOLD STAR FAMILIES.
* recently medically retired wounded warriors
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** Please note that OHH does not plan projects on or post return dates out of respect for families and for the safety of those we serve. Only registered and base vetted volunteers can participate in projects on military installations.
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Please note: For the safety of those we serve and out of respect for their families, we never plan projects on or post information about returns online. Only registered and base vetted volunteers receive information about locations. Please help us keep our heroes and volunteers safe--- always keep Operational Security in mind.
Please make sure to RSVP for these events with your driver's license, date of birth and contact information no later than a week prior to the event to enable us to get clearance for all volunteers.
Keep in mind: Due to the nature of our projects, events are subject to change to meet the needs of the units and families we serve.
Please make sure to RSVP for these events with your driver's license, date of birth and contact information no later than a week prior to the event to enable us to get clearance for all volunteers.
Keep in mind: Due to the nature of our projects, events are subject to change to meet the needs of the units and families we serve.
RECENT MISSIONS COMPLETED
OHH Baby Showers and additional baby baskets have served 97 new and expecting mothers or single service member mothers.
Operation Rack Pack (barracks project) has welcomed home 8,930 service members on 4 bases with upcoming events serving another 3,400 service members on 4 different bases this fall alone.
Operation Enduring Support has provided crisis assistance for 83 families.
Camp JOY has provided 72 children with a day of fun while giving mom/dad on the homefront a much needed break.
Our Morale Brigade has provided:
-Unit specific support or hosted events for 66 military units on 13 bases.
-Financial support for an OIF I, II and II 20 year reunion event for vets and active duty
-1000+ prizes and games for a regimental carnival event
-Brunch and flowers for a mother's day tea for a deployed unit
-Catering for 3 different barracks bashes
-Supplies for a midway party
-Food/drinks for a unit field meet
-Special gifts for babies who will be born during a deployment
-Sports and rec uniforms for active duty Marines/Sailors
-Equipment for a unit family day
-Food, drinks and send off bag supplies for 2,000 Marines and Sailors departing on deployment
-A portion of ball costs for an Army unit recently returned from a year in Korea
In addition, THANK YOU to ALL of our Supporters who made a difference through Operation Christmas Spirit 2023, who helped us provide support for over 465 families, 5,975+ military kids, and 5,200+ singles.
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OHH is 100% volunteer, 100% hands on, and 100% direct support.
Our Recent Events
Click the arrows to scroll through events.
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Learn About Our Programs
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We are an ALL VOLUNTEER non-profit organization dedicated to our military heroes and those they love. Here are just some of the ways we help... We welcome home young, single service members. Operation Rack Pack Mission: Prepare a hero's welcome home for young, single service members returning from deployment to barracks. Volunteers spend the day light cleaning, making beds, and staging welcome home gifts & messages. Most Needed Items: Shave cream, deodorant, instant coffee, towels, mac n cheese cups, playing cards, phone chargers/cords, water bottles (nalgene-like), microwave popcorn, protein shakes, $10 fast food or dominos gift cards, Uber gift cards. We celebrate little heroes dealing with deployment and give respite to their parents on the homefront. OHH Camp JOY Mission: Celebrate our littlest heroes and give mom/dad on the homefront a well-deserved 5 hour break.. Volunteers spend a fun-filled day helping children through fun activity rotations. Most Needed Items: Play doh, superhero toys, snack foods (goldfish crackers, indiv. chips, granola bars), balls (basketball, football, dodge, etc.), superhero capes, tie dye supplies (tie dye kits, white tees size 2T-adult L), wipes, water balloons, face paint, superhero temp tattoos We shower new and expecting mommies with spouses deployed with appreciation. OHH Baby Shower Mission: Help us pamper and love on new and expecting mommies who are shouldering the burden of having a spouse deployed. Volunteers help provide a day of fun & networking opportunities for new moms. Donors help young families start their parenting journey with supplies needed for baby. Most Needed Items: Diapers size NB-3, wipes, bath sets, baby hooded towels and wash cloths, baby safety sets, diaper bags, board books, bibs, baby thermometers, cart covers, diaper pails, bottle warmers, strollers, c0-sleepers, car seats (new), developmental toys, baby blankets (new) We spread the joy and Spirit of Christmas to military families, single service members, children and unit events. Operation Christmas Spirit Mission: Spread the Spirit of Christmas to our troops, whether it's through service projects, sponsoring families, creating care package for singles, collecting toys for children or volunteering for unit parties. Most Needed Items: Gas gift cards, grocery gift cards, gift cards for clothing and shoes (Amazon, Target, Walmart, Kohls), towel sets, pot/pan sets, cutlery sets, tool sets, bedding (twin, twin XL, full, queen, king sheets sets), baby toys (age 3M-2 years needed most), teen gifts of any kind We help families and single service members in crisis so they can focus on their missions. Operation Enduring Support Mission: Care for families in crisis with donations, time and talents. Through this program we privately help families -- those dealing with death, illness, natural disasters, and emergency situations. We provide food, gently used furniture, childcare, baby necessities, household goods, gift cards and in some cases financial help. Most Needed Items: Gift cards for gas, clothing, and groceries. Online donations to enable quick response in emergency situations. Diapers, wipes, air mattresses, kitchen kits (box with kitchen items at the ready). We give our time freely so your donations are used to directly support these programs and the troops they serve. |
Mail checks, gift cards or packages to:
Operation Help a Hero
PO Box 80996
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
Operation Help a Hero
PO Box 80996
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
In their words...
"Of all the organizations I work with, you "get it right." You're compassionate, ORGANIZED, purposeful, and you ask for nothing in return." ~Regimental Family Readiness Officer
"I can't be there when my son gets back and I'm so thankful there are people like you that care for our sons and daughters when we can't. Does this mom's heart good." ~Parent of a recently returned Marine who benefited from Operation Rack Pack
"My kids had a blast! I studied, cleaned and went grocery shopping, but it was so nice to do it in peace. My husband saw the pictures online. He can't believe how quickly they are growing. Thank you to all of you! You are angels!" ~Mom of 3 kids who attended OHH Camp JOY
"I don't like baby showers. Or at least I didn't until today. I laughed and smiled the whole time. I didn't realize how much I needed that until it started. Thank you for the generous gifts and making the day so special for all of us." ~Expecting mommy who attended an OHH Baby Shower
"It makes you feel like the community really does care and understand!" ~young Marine quoted in the OC Register referring to Operation Rack Pack efforts
"We love you and your Warrior's Ethos, we should all strive to be like you, there is no such thing as NO I can't, NO I won't.........you and your amazing crew always unselfishly put others in front of yourselves =) For that we love you!!!!!!" ~A Camp Pendleton Family Readiness Officer
"We had a Christmas under the tree this morning because of OHH. What can we do to thank you? Can we volunteer? If I had though of it, I should have taken a picture of the kids when they were surprised. We are forever thankful and we want to pay it forward. Bless you." ~family recipient of Operation Christmas Spirit efforts.