Support for families is goal for new nonprofit

PALMER — Military families sacrifice much to protect America and defend freedom, and that spirit of selflessness often extends beyond service in the armed forces.

That was evident this past Christmas, when a band of friends got together and put the word out they were planning to provide Christmas for a local family, said Jennifer Baker, president of Hopes for Heroes Inc. Donations came in for the unidentified family, including a poignantly meaningful gift from a family struggling itself.

The husband and father had recently been medically retired with post-traumatic stress disorder, and he and his wife were struggling to provide for their four children. Still, when they learned a military family was in need, they donated a gift basket they had received from a church. While they certainly could have used that basket, when they heard another military family needed help, they felt compelled to give, Baker said.

That’s why emotions were high on Christmas when Baker and friends showed up at the family’s house and the retired soldier learned it was his family the group had been collecting for.

“It was the best feeling in the whole world,” Baker said of that moment. “They had no idea it was for them. They had hope again, and that was the best feeling to see them smile. They were in shock, and they both cried. Which, of course, made me cry.”

Those tears of joy and pride have given way to a larger effort, Hope for Heroes, a new local nonprofit group formed from that Christmas effort.

The group of friends decided it could help more veterans in other ways, and do it year-round. They formed Hope for Heroes in January, Baker said. Eight months later, the group has identified other local military families in need and is sending gift boxes to local troops stationed away from home. The goal this Christmas is to help five families, she said.

“We just sent out some care packages a couple weeks ago and we have several families we’re working with already,” Baker said.

Saturday, the group was busy at the Salvation Army building in downtown Palmer hosting its first summer fundraiser. With upbeat music provided by the Colony Middle School kettle drum band and donated baked goods and hot dogs to eat, local vendors found the venue appealing and drew a steady crowd.

The gathering, which had a block party feel, was also important for Hope for Heroes to become more visible in the Valley community, Baker said.

“We thought this would be great for the community to get together with local vendors and local artists,” she said. “It supports the vendors and artists, and also gets our name out there into the community so military families know we’re here.”

For Hope for Heroes board member Brian Maksin, the effort is personal as well. He’s active military, an E6 in the U.S. Coast Guard, and has been on the receiving end of care packages from home.

That’s why he knows those boxes filled with calling cards, treats, toiletries, DVDs and the like “mean the world to them,” Maksin said. “A lot of times, they’re not expecting anything. Then when it comes in, it’s like Christmas.”

The best items he found in a care package included baby wipes and bubble gum. And while personal tastes may be different, “don’t send anything that’s going to melt” is a good rule of thumb to follow, he said.

Contact reporter Greg Johnson at greg.johnson@frontiersman.com or 352-2269.

Follow Hope for Heroes on Facebook, and learn more about the local nonprofit group by visiting its website at hopeforheroesinc.com.