Veteran Energy Affinity Partner Impact A Hero was created in an effort to bring wounded Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans and their community together. The organization provides financial and emotional support for severely wounded post-9/11 combat veterans and their families.
The injuries suffered by these veterans can range from loss of limb to horrific burns covering more than 50% of the body. The significance of these sacrifices, says Impact A Hero, must be honored and respected. Based in Houston, Texas, the organization puts together special events throughout the year and partners with many other nonprofits and private firms as it continues to reach out to wounded veterans.
Founded in 2004 in Cincinnati, Ohio, the organization is headed by Dick Lynch, a man who firmly believes in service to others. He was profoundly moved observing the sacrifices made by the U.S. Armed Forces and made it his calling to bring assistance to the severely wounded.
With the help of Jim Hoelker and Neil Bush, son of President George H.W. Bush, the first Impact A Hero Weekend was held in Sugar Land, Texas. As in later years, the event consisted of a 5K race, gala dinner and golf tournament, attended by severely wounded veterans. Shortly thereafter, the organization permanently relocated to Texas.
Then came the involvement of NFL stars such as Christian Okoye, Jim McMahon and Ed “Too Tall” Jones. The contributions of these athletes, particularly Okoye, brought significantly increased visibility to Impact A Hero. Indeed, for many years, Okoye’s number 35 was featured in the nonprofit’s logo.
As Impact A Hero enters its 11th year serving America’s wounded heroes, more and more events are being staged and more of us are being directly challenged to wear our patriotism daily. As their website asks, if not us…then who?
