Holiday 4 Heroes has now sent a total of 12,000 care packages to our active
​duty troops!

​OUR MISSION

​To show the love, support and appreciation of a grateful nation, by providing necessities and comfort items to those serving our country, all over the world, through the continued support and generosity of businesses, individuals and volunteers.

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​What is holiday 4 heroes​

Holiday 4 Heroes is a grassroots effort started in 2007 by a local business owner, Jonette Kessack. owner of Sip and Send. Jonette became aware there was a need to fill, to provide cheer and comfort to our active duty military members in war torn countries.

​Each year Jonette, her husband Peter and the Holiday 4 Heroes Team
  • collect supplies
  • hold fund raisers 
  • pack and ship boxes ​ 
This year 1300 boxes of supplies were sent to our heroic men and women serving to protect our freedom. Every cent and product collected goes directly to providing these packages to our service members.  ​ Since 2007, we have sent over 12,000 comfort and care packages to our active duty personnel.
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​why is there a need

Every day the brave men and women in our military service are risking their lives for us. Our government does not provide some of their basic needs.  As nearby bases and commissaries have shut down these items become difficult to acquire. ​
Year-Round, we now send 40 - 50 comfort boxes each month to our brave men and women who are serving all over the world.  For our holiday effort, starting in September, we search out local soldiers to adopt.  We try to supply their entire camp. Their packages are mailed out the last week of November and are received by our soldiers for a little Christmas appreciation and cheer.  Our community has really come together on this project.  People donate tons of supplies, make their own care packages and donate money for the mailings. Please join us in the effort to support these very brave men and women who protect us. Remember, freedom is not free!

Backpack for homeless veterans

​Our newest program, Backpacks for Veterans, has partnered with the Veterans Administration. We provide backpacks filled with personal care items, high protein snacks, sweets, a thank you card and information on how and where a Veteran can go to seek help. 
We are now also providing bulk food drops to our in-need veterans and their families through the VA.  Because of the huge need in our community.

The Bay Pine VAHCS has recognized us with a Recognition of Valuable Contributions Certificate for our work with them in helping our homeless and in-need veterans.

Thank you to all our sponsors, donors and Team for helping bring this project to life!

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OUR HOLIDAY PROGRAM

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As the mission evolves, Holiday 4 Heroes, supports our military families at home by giving them a Christmas filled with joy and less worries. Every year, when there is a need, we provide a Merrier Christmas for a local family, who may be going through some difficult times. A family, who has sacrificed so much for us, are given everything they need for the holiday.  Our hope, with your help, is to continue to do this each year. If you know of any service member that can use our services please contact us.

Thank You message from the panhandle
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" We so appreciate everything that Holidays for Heroes did for our area.  It was such a blessing and we could not have done it without all of the help we had this year.  We are so appreciative!   We would see joy and relief on the faces of many of the parents who came to “shop” for  their children, and we certainly had a festive air of gratitude every day.  Our volunteer shoppers had just as much fun as they helped the parents pick out gifts.   It was an experience that many of our volunteers will never forget.  
 
We were also able to have a gift wrap station that was staffed with volunteers, and had Christmas music playing while parents waited in line to have their presents wrapped.  It was certainly a festive environment! "