Hero Packs

What are Hero Packs? Making Hero Packs is a service-learning project that is part of Operation: Mlitary Kids. Hero Packs are care packages made to thank and salute children with deployed parents for their sacrifices and contribution while their parent is deployed in the service of our country. The Hero Packs are targeted to youth with a parent in the National Guard or Reserve. These youth face a unique situation because they are "suddenly miltiary."

Hero Packs Distribution Launched

The first 50 packs distributed in Ohio occurred on June 25 and 26, 2005, during family pre-deployment briefings for Army National Guard units in Kettering and Bellefontaine, Ohio, and an Air National Guard unit in Springfield. Since that time, over 1000 have been assembled by youth in 15 counties. Parents and children receiving the Hero Packs are thrilled to get them.

Click on an image to the right for more information about Hero Packs.

Hero Packs are backpacks that are assembled by youth in 4-H clubs or other youth organizations, and then distributed to military kids when their parent is deployed. Some of the items in the Hero Pack, such as a disposable camera and stationery, are things that young people can use to stay in touch with their deployed parent. A key component in the Hero Pack is a hand-written letter. The letter is written by the youth who assemble the Hero Packs to thank the military youth for their contribution. Many military youth feel isolated because they do not know anyone else in their same situation. Receiving a Hero Pack lets them know that others in the community recognize their situation.

This project is about more than assembling backpacks, however. The young people who assemble the packs learn about the stresses faced by military youth when their parent is deployed. A lesson plan to use with Hero Pack assembly is available; some of the activities are pictured here. Overall, this project helps to raise community awareness about situations faced by military families.

	Hero Pack Lesson Plan (98 KB)
	Hero Packs in the News (June 30, 2005)

If your 4-H club is interested in assembling Hero Packs, contact Ohio's Operation: Military Kids, at omk@cfaes.osu.edu.

Hero Pack supplies have been provided by the USDA/Army Youth Development Project.