In our first two installments of Operation Double Dip, we covered how Jim Dolan took a hobby and with a few dedicated friends, founded a non-profit that has a presence in 30 states today. “We began with several like-minded folks, many civilians, who understood how powerful kayak fishing [...]

Jim Dolan, founder of Heroes on the Water, was both surprised and elated that he and a group of friends were able to turn their hobby into a life-saving organization. Born from the idea that kayak fishing provides freedom to our veterans with physical injuries, Jim soon realized that there was [...]

When Heroes on the Water started 11 years ago, it was because a group of enthusiastic, like-minded people decided to do something amazing with their favorite hobby – kayak fishing. There were no focus groups, or high-end consultants. Just a team of people coming together with one man who [...]

Getting to Know HOW’s COB Dave Winston loved the outdoors from an early age, starting with fishing and crabbing on the Jersey Shore and moving to hunting as a young teen. He didn’t get this love from his parents, however; he seemed to be born with it. “I was always big into [...]

Marrying his high school sweetheart, Sylvia, and looking at his future, Danny Hernandez did not plan on a military career. Four children and two military careers later, with a son carrying on the military tradition, Hernandez has a different perspective. “The military gave us a lifestyle [...]

When Carry the Load decided to launch a Midwest Relay, Amber Helms was absolutely ready to step up. Not because she is Director of Operations for Heroes on the Water, and not because HOW is a Non-Profit Partner for CTL. It’s because Amber has a rich military family history that spans [...]

“Don’t let your story end in a negative way, through self-medication or worse.” ~Sergeant First Class Marco Garcia Loss of purpose – a common thread among veterans who had to leave their active military service before they were ready. Sergeant First Class Marco Garcia [...]

At first glance, REDLEE / SCS, Inc. is a successful facilities management company. Dig a little deeper and you find a rich family history. What is not obvious is the depth of the family focus, encompassing every employee within the organization, or the strong focus on giving back to the [...]

When Monte and Robin LeBlanc met at a 200-mile race in Texas, neither had any idea they would fall in love. And they certainly had no idea they would experience every major life change – in one year! Their long-distance romance blossomed, in spite of a 6-hour car ride to be together. [...]

The images of heroes returning from combat is powerful. Videos all over the internet show surprise returns. There is the brother who surprises his younger sibling while reading his Who is My Hero paper (spoiler alert – it’s the brother). The video composite of dogs being reunited [...]