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Our History...
Since 2001, we have: (updated August 2019)
Volunteers of Operation Help a Hero and founders have been supporting Camp Pendleton Marines and Sailors since 2001. We did so BEFORE there were adoptive cities, BEFORE most military supporting organizations were created to support our military and their families, and we CREATED the projects we have in place based on needs we saw in the military community.
We will CONTINUE to serve those who serve our country at home and abroad -- whether our country is at war OR NOT. We do not require our service members to be in a combat zone to know that their sacrifices are real no matter were they are sent to serve our country. We know they need to be prepared for anything when they train and deploy, and we need to be prepared to support them no matter what their deployment looks like.
- Welcomed home over 64,200 Marines, Soldiers and Sailors from deployment through our Operation Rack Pack program
- Celebrated and pampered over 2,175 new and expecting mommies through our OHH Baby! showers
- Given over 4,800 children a day to remember and their parents on the homefront a much needed break through our OHH Camp JOY program
- Served over 2,170 families in need of our support, over 5,370 single service members and hundreds of thousands of children through our Operation Christmas Spirit program, Christmas goody bags, Christmas gift boxes, stockings and Christmas parties
- Pampered over 400 ladies with spa services, dinners and more through our Comfort for the Caregiver Program
- Sent off surprise packages to over 1,500 children with personally recorded book readings and messages from their recently deployed parents through Operation Bedtime Stories
- Coordinated countless number of community relation projects, to include school visits, a paintball tournament, jog-a-thons, parades, welcome home festivities, carnivals and more
- Assisted over 615 families in crisis through our Operation Enduring Support program
- Coordinated over 3,000 pen pals with deployed service members
- Hosted many holiday, unit and seasonal events for Camp Pendleton, Quantico, Camp Lejeune, Yuma, Fort Sam Houston, Andrews AFB, 29 Palms, Miramar, Fort Belvoir, Peterson AFB, Fort Carson, SOCOM, and Buckley AFB Units
Volunteers of Operation Help a Hero and founders have been supporting Camp Pendleton Marines and Sailors since 2001. We did so BEFORE there were adoptive cities, BEFORE most military supporting organizations were created to support our military and their families, and we CREATED the projects we have in place based on needs we saw in the military community.
We will CONTINUE to serve those who serve our country at home and abroad -- whether our country is at war OR NOT. We do not require our service members to be in a combat zone to know that their sacrifices are real no matter were they are sent to serve our country. We know they need to be prepared for anything when they train and deploy, and we need to be prepared to support them no matter what their deployment looks like.
Operation Help A Hero (formerly known as Operation Sweet Dreams and/or St. Johns Marine Ministries) began as a grass roots Marine Ministries/ Pen Pal group shortly after September 11, 2001, when Cindy Farnum's Middle School students welcomed local Marines to the school for a Veteran's Day celebration. In 2002, those same students at St. John's Episcopal School decided to write to and support the Marines of First Battalion, Fifth Marines during their upcoming deployment. At that time, Mr. Farnum, a Marine, was preparing to deploy, and Cindy was the Key Volunteer Coordinator for 1/5 (2001-2004).
By the end of December 2002/ January 2003, 1/5 began deploying to Kuwait and eventually led the push across the border into Iraq starting Operation Iraqi Freedom I. During this deployment, St. Johns students and families wrote and sent care packages to over 1,300 Marines in and attached to 1/5. The group also supported and collected items for 1/5's injured during the deployment and assisted in welcome home festivities (to include the barracks project pictured above) for the battalion, coordinating with the unit's Key Volunteers. The support of St. Johns was even mentioned in Chaplain Carey Cash's book A Table in the Presence. Cindy, because of the whole community's response to these efforts, was recognized in 2003 by California Governor Gray Davis for her efforts in support of local Marines, Sailors and families of the fallen.
The following year, in early 2004, St. John's Marine Ministries and Pen Pal Group continued its relationship with 1/5 as they deployed yet another time to Iraq -- this time Fallujah. In addition, Cindy started efforts to support 3/5 and all of 5th Marines. Students and families continued to write letters, send care packages and support the Marines' families locally. When 1/5 and 29 Palm units lost many in during "Operation Vigilant Resolve", our organization rallied and collected $5,000 for every child of a fallen Marine in 1/5 AND four children who lost their father with 2/7 (out of 29 Palms). We began to host family events for Camp Pendleton units, whose hands are often tied when donations are needed. These events included help at Christmas parties, our first Operation Christmas Spirit, babysitting for KVN events, Fall Festivals, hosting a Spring Carnival at Lake O'Neil, a barracks project for 1/5's single Marines and throwing welcome home parties for returning units. This was also the year we began hosting baby showers for deployed units.
In 2004, we began what would become an annual drive -- Operation Christmas Spirit. Started by Christy Wrightson, this drive collects toys, gifts, gift cards and cash donations to thank our local Marines and Sailors and fullfill their holiday wish lists. Since 2004, Operation Christmas Spirit has collected truckloads of Christmas items given to deployed units, ipods for Wounded Warriors and Balboa Hospital's Wounded in Action patients, and tons of items used at various Camp Pendleton Christmas parties. In addition, each year military families are asked to make Christmas wish lists and paired with other families, groups and businesses to make their wishes a reality. This program remained in action even when Mrs. Farnum moved to Quanitco for the 2004-2005 school year, keeping the efforts in tact while Cindy was away.
With 5 years of service with the programs above, in 2007, we decided we wanted to share our mission of fostering learning through our newest project: Operation Bedtime Story. We video recorded Marines reading children's books for their children and/or wives. The videos were carefully burned to DVDs and shipped out to families as a nice suprise. Each video also came with the book read in the recording or a box of chocolates. Our guinea pigs were 1st CEB and 3/5, and the results were great!
Since our efforts -- which began in 2001 and solidified in 2002-- were growing as were the requests of Camp Pendleton units, in December of 2009, we became a 501 (c) (3) non-profit charity. We spent years helping local military families with amazing volunteers and donors who gave out of the goodness of their hearts, but we realized that an official non-profit status would help us continue to support local families and be able to give (tax exemption for donations) in return.
In the past 18 years, Operation Help A Hero volunteers/leaders have served Camp Pendleton, Yuma, 29 Palms, and Miramar units, to include: The 11th MEU, 13th MEU, 15th MEU, 31st MEU, 1/5, 2/5, 3/5, 2/4, 1/1, 2/1, 3/1, 1/4, 1st LAR, 1st CEB, 1st Radio BN, 1st Recon, SOI West, CLB 5, the Wounded Warrior House, 3/4, 3/7, 2/7, HMLA 169, 7th ESB, 1st Recon, HMM 268, and Balboa Naval Hospital (San Diego). We then expanded our efforts in the DC Metro Area, Camp Lejeune, San Antonio Area, Fort Hood and eventually Operation Christmas Spirit and Operation Enduring Support became nation-wide programs.
Our organization has grown beyond the grassroots ministry started in 2001 and now works with groups across the country to bring peace to our American patriots in uniform thanks to people like you! We ARE still a "mom and pop" organization in that we operate locally to ensure that every dollar or good donated goes to the men and women we serve, but make no mistake-- our projects and efforts are huge!
Job Well Done and Thank You!
OHH would like to thank all the generous donors and volunteers who made the following projects successful since we officially went non-profit in 2009 (although we've been doing this since 2001!):
None of our projects, programs or efforts would be possible without your support. THANK YOU for showing our men and women in uniform that you appreciate their sacrifice, bravery and dedication; your efforts help our American military heroes to know they are not forgotten.
By the end of December 2002/ January 2003, 1/5 began deploying to Kuwait and eventually led the push across the border into Iraq starting Operation Iraqi Freedom I. During this deployment, St. Johns students and families wrote and sent care packages to over 1,300 Marines in and attached to 1/5. The group also supported and collected items for 1/5's injured during the deployment and assisted in welcome home festivities (to include the barracks project pictured above) for the battalion, coordinating with the unit's Key Volunteers. The support of St. Johns was even mentioned in Chaplain Carey Cash's book A Table in the Presence. Cindy, because of the whole community's response to these efforts, was recognized in 2003 by California Governor Gray Davis for her efforts in support of local Marines, Sailors and families of the fallen.
The following year, in early 2004, St. John's Marine Ministries and Pen Pal Group continued its relationship with 1/5 as they deployed yet another time to Iraq -- this time Fallujah. In addition, Cindy started efforts to support 3/5 and all of 5th Marines. Students and families continued to write letters, send care packages and support the Marines' families locally. When 1/5 and 29 Palm units lost many in during "Operation Vigilant Resolve", our organization rallied and collected $5,000 for every child of a fallen Marine in 1/5 AND four children who lost their father with 2/7 (out of 29 Palms). We began to host family events for Camp Pendleton units, whose hands are often tied when donations are needed. These events included help at Christmas parties, our first Operation Christmas Spirit, babysitting for KVN events, Fall Festivals, hosting a Spring Carnival at Lake O'Neil, a barracks project for 1/5's single Marines and throwing welcome home parties for returning units. This was also the year we began hosting baby showers for deployed units.
In 2004, we began what would become an annual drive -- Operation Christmas Spirit. Started by Christy Wrightson, this drive collects toys, gifts, gift cards and cash donations to thank our local Marines and Sailors and fullfill their holiday wish lists. Since 2004, Operation Christmas Spirit has collected truckloads of Christmas items given to deployed units, ipods for Wounded Warriors and Balboa Hospital's Wounded in Action patients, and tons of items used at various Camp Pendleton Christmas parties. In addition, each year military families are asked to make Christmas wish lists and paired with other families, groups and businesses to make their wishes a reality. This program remained in action even when Mrs. Farnum moved to Quanitco for the 2004-2005 school year, keeping the efforts in tact while Cindy was away.
With 5 years of service with the programs above, in 2007, we decided we wanted to share our mission of fostering learning through our newest project: Operation Bedtime Story. We video recorded Marines reading children's books for their children and/or wives. The videos were carefully burned to DVDs and shipped out to families as a nice suprise. Each video also came with the book read in the recording or a box of chocolates. Our guinea pigs were 1st CEB and 3/5, and the results were great!
Since our efforts -- which began in 2001 and solidified in 2002-- were growing as were the requests of Camp Pendleton units, in December of 2009, we became a 501 (c) (3) non-profit charity. We spent years helping local military families with amazing volunteers and donors who gave out of the goodness of their hearts, but we realized that an official non-profit status would help us continue to support local families and be able to give (tax exemption for donations) in return.
In the past 18 years, Operation Help A Hero volunteers/leaders have served Camp Pendleton, Yuma, 29 Palms, and Miramar units, to include: The 11th MEU, 13th MEU, 15th MEU, 31st MEU, 1/5, 2/5, 3/5, 2/4, 1/1, 2/1, 3/1, 1/4, 1st LAR, 1st CEB, 1st Radio BN, 1st Recon, SOI West, CLB 5, the Wounded Warrior House, 3/4, 3/7, 2/7, HMLA 169, 7th ESB, 1st Recon, HMM 268, and Balboa Naval Hospital (San Diego). We then expanded our efforts in the DC Metro Area, Camp Lejeune, San Antonio Area, Fort Hood and eventually Operation Christmas Spirit and Operation Enduring Support became nation-wide programs.
Our organization has grown beyond the grassroots ministry started in 2001 and now works with groups across the country to bring peace to our American patriots in uniform thanks to people like you! We ARE still a "mom and pop" organization in that we operate locally to ensure that every dollar or good donated goes to the men and women we serve, but make no mistake-- our projects and efforts are huge!
Job Well Done and Thank You!
OHH would like to thank all the generous donors and volunteers who made the following projects successful since we officially went non-profit in 2009 (although we've been doing this since 2001!):
- January 2009:Assistance with 15th MEU post deployment family day
- February 2009: Build your own care package event for deployed 1st Marine units
- April 2009 Baby shower for 3/5's pregnant mommies with daddies deployed
- May 2009: Assistance with spring carnival on CP at Lake O'Neill
- July 2009: Baby shower for 1/5's pregnant mommies with daddies deployed
- November/December of 2009: Barracks project for 1/5 (600 single Marines newly returned from Afghanistan)
- December 2009:Assistance with the City of Rancho Santa Margarita's shopping event and winter wonderland for family members of 2/5's deployed Marines
- December 2009: Operation Christmas Spirit benefitting 40 Camp Pendleton families from 1/5, 2/5, 3/5, CLB 5 and the SOI.
- January 2010: Donated banner party supplies for 2/5 families preparing for their Marines' returns
- February 2010: Operation Bedtime Stories for CLB 5
- April 2010: Operation Rack Pack for 600 3/4 Marines who returned from deployment in Afghanistan.
- May 2010: Banner Party for 2/5 Fox's Return and Reunion Brief
- June/July 2010: Operation Rack Pack for 2/5 Marines who returned from Afghanistan
- June 2010: Coordination of volunteers/attendees for the NFL's 2010 Rookie Symposium
- June/July 2010: Operation Rack Pack for 300 Marines and Sailors returning from Afghanistan from 2/5
- July 2010: OHH Baby Shower for 25 of CLB 5's new and expecting mommies
- August 2010: OHH Baby Shower for over 25 of the School of Infantry's new and expecting mommies
- September 2010: "Have a Ball" fundraiser for 2/5 in partnership with the City of Rancho Santa Margarita and Philly's Best
- September 2010: Albertsons and Pavilions Drives to benefit ORP and OES programs
- October 2010: Operation Rack Pack for CLB 5 and attachments
- November 2010: Operation Rack Pack for 3/1
- November 2010: OHH Baby Shower assistance for HMM 167
- December 2010: Operation Christmas Spirit for 55 lucky Marine Corps families and a truckload of support for 2/1
- January 2011: OHH Baby Shower for 3/5
- March 2011: OHH Baby Shower for 2/5
- April 2011: Operation Rack Pack for 3/5
- May 2011: Operation Rack Pack for 2/1
- May 2011: Operation Rack Pack for HMLA 169
- May/June 2011: Operation Rack Pack for 2/5
- July 2011: OHH Baby Shower for 1/5
- July 2011: Family day carnival for 2/5
- August 2011: Kiddie Camp for 2/5's Jane Wayne Day
- September 2011: Patriot's Day Fundraiser
- September 2011: OHH Baby Shower for 7th ESB
- September 2011: Operation Rack Pack for 1/1
- October 2011: Operation Rack Pack for 1/5
- October 2011: Operation Rack Pack for 7th ESB
- November 2011: OHH Baby Shower for 2/4
- November 2011: Operation Rack Pack for 7th ESB
- November 2011: Operation Christmas Spirit Part I (1/5, 2/5, 3/5, 2/4, 2/1, 3/1, 1st LAR, 1st CEB, 1st Recon, RCT 5)
- December 2011: Operation Christmas Spirit, parts II-VI (92 family wish lists, 39 Marines returning to barracks and over 350 additional children served)
- December 2011: Operation Welcome Home for RCT 5 mid-way returns
- January 2012: Operation Bedtime Stories for 2/5
- February 2012: OHH Camp JOY (Mom's Day Off) for 101 kiddos with deployed parents
- February 2012: Operation Bedtime Stories for CLB 5
- March 2012: Operation Rack Pack for 659 2/4 Marines/Sailors
- April 2012: OHH Baby Shower for 2/5
- April 2012: Operation Rack Pack for 51 3dAABN Marines/Sailors
- May 2012: Operation Rack Pack for 528 1st LAR Marines and Sailors
- May 2012: OHH Camp JOY (Mom's Day Off) for 98 kiddos with deployed parents
- June 2012: Operation Rack Pack for 250 HMM 268 and MAG 29 Marines/Sailors
- June 2012: Operation Rack Pack for 650 1/4 Marines and Sailors
- June 2012: Operation Rack Pack for 632 3/1 Marines and Sailors
- July 2012: Operation Rack Pack for 58 RCT ADVON Marines and Sailors
- July 2012: OHH Baby Shower for 23 2/1 new and expecting mommies
- July 2012: Operation Rack Pack for 50 3dAABN Marines and Sailors
- July 2012: Operation Rack Pack for 88 RCT 5 ADVON and attachments
- July 2012 Operation Rack Pack for 210 CLB 5 Marines and Sailors
- August 2012 Operation Rack Pack for 113 RCT 5 Marines and Sailors
- August 2012: Operation Rack Pack for 94 2/5 ADVON, PAT I and II, Cargo and IDD Marines and Sailors
- August 2012: Homecoming support (goody bags, volunteers, raffle prizes, crafts) for 2/5 Homecoming
- September 2012: Operation Rack Pack for 700 2/5 Marines, Sailors and attachment units to include Division HQ Marines
- September 2012: Operation Rack Pack bags for 80 3dAABN Marines and Sailors
- September 2012 Operation Rack Pack bags for 20 1/1 ADVON Marines and Sailors
- September 2012: Patriot's Day Event in Rancho Santa Magarita. Booth collection supported City's effort for 2/5, the City's Adoptive Battalion
- September 2012: Supported 8 different 2/5 homecomings with volunteers, supplies and raffle prizes
- September 2012: Operation Rack Pack for 375 (made 400) 1/1 Marines and Sailors
- October 2012: Welcome home goodie bags made and delivered to 450 single Marines and Sailors from 3/7 in 29 Palms
- October 2012: Service project with St. Margaret's Episcopal School's Middle School
- November 2012: Operation Rack Pack for 650 2/1 Marines and Sailors
- November 2012: Operation Rack Pack for 80 1/11 Marines and Sailors
- November 2012: Operation Rack Pack for 350 1/1 Marines and Sailors
- December 2012: OHH Camp JOY (Mom's Day Off) for 73 kiddos with deployed parents
- December 2012: Operation Christmas Spirit for 100 families, and assistance with 2/1, 3/1, 3/7 and 1/4 Christmas parties.
- January 2013: OHH Baby Shower for HMM 364 and HMLA 169 (plus a few special guests)
- February 2013: OHH Bring it On! Paintball Fundaiser for Operation Enduring Support
- February 2013: Operation Rack Pack for 5/11 Marines -- 96 Total
- March 2013: Operation Rack Pack for 3/5 Marines returning for EAS -- 66 total
- April 2013: Operation Rack Pack for 88 Marines/Sailors from 5/11
- May/June 2013: Operation Rack Pack for 2,376 Marines and Sailors from 1/5, 3/5, HMM 364, HMLA 169, 1st Recon and 3dAABN
- August: Operation Rack Pack for 140 RCT 7 Marines and Sailors returning from Afghanistan
- August 2013: OHH Baby Shower for 27 New and Expecting Mommies from 2/4
- September 2013: City of RSM's Patriot's Day with proceeds towards Jan OHH Baby Shower for 2/5
- September 2013: Operation Bedtime Stories Part I and II serving 75 children with deploying parents.
- September 2013: OHH Camp Joy for 13th MEU and BLT 2/4, serving 100+children with a deployed parent and their parents on the home front
- October 2013: OHH Baby Shower for the 13th MEU, serving 33 women with husbands deployed
- October 2013: Day of service with St. Margaret's Episcopal School
- October 2013: Operation Rack Pack for 2/4 ADVON-- 66 Single Marines and Sailors served
- November 2013: Comfort for the Caregiver for 13th MEU, serving 110 ladies with husbands deployed (and their children)
- November 2013: Operation Rack Pack for 2/4, serving 570 Single Marines and Sailors returning from deployment
- November 2013: Thanksgiving support of 6 families in partnership with Sunwest Bank
- December 2013: Christmas party for 2/1, 250+ children served with crafts and toys
- December 2013: Christmas party for 2/5, 100+ children given toys (thank you, Hasbro, Carter Jenkins and GenerationOn for the toys)
- December 2013: 103 families served through Operation Christmas Spirit
- December 2013: 150+ single Marines served through Operation Christmas Spirit
- January 2014: OHH baby shower for 22 2/5 mommies
- February 2014: OHH Camp JOY for 87 children with a parent deployed (2/5, 13th MEU and 3/1)
- March/April of 2014: Operation Rack Pack for the 13th MEU, serving over 900+ single Marines and Sailors
- Spring 2014: Operation Rack Pack for 3/7, serving 600+ Marines and Sailors returning over a span of 6 months
- March 2014: Operation Rack Pack for 3/1, serving 650 single Marines and Sailors
- May 2014: Operation Rack Pack for 2/5, serving 675+ Marines and Sailors
- June 2014: OHH Baby Shower for 1/5 and 3/5 serving 27 mommies (and 2 in the hospital)
- THIS LIST CONTINUES UNDER THE "OHH THANK YOU" TAB... CLICK ON "MISSIONS ACCOMPLISHED"
None of our projects, programs or efforts would be possible without your support. THANK YOU for showing our men and women in uniform that you appreciate their sacrifice, bravery and dedication; your efforts help our American military heroes to know they are not forgotten.