Shea Drefs
The Arizona Republic
Nov. 10, 2007 08:15 AM
A former Army drill sergeant and another Gilbert man launched a non-profit program this week to raise money for "heroes."
Honoring Every Representative of Sacrifice, or HERO'S, will give every dollar earned to existing charities for soldiers, firefighters, cops and other groups in need, said co-founder Phil Resmer.
"Quite frankly, we just wanted to help them," Resmer said. "This is a serious 'give it back to them' kind of thing."
The money will come from a variety of companies that have agreed to donate $500 for each client referred by the HERO'S program, which is based in Mesa.
The process means people can generate money for charities by spending on services they would already use.
Resmer, a former drill sergeant who spent 12 years in the Army, decided to start HERO'S when he discovered he had glaucoma in his left eye and could not re-enlist.
"I was disappointed that I couldn't get involved, so I had to seek another way that I could help," he said.
Resmer teamed up with Todd Hopkins, an old business partner, to create HERO'S, which officially launched Monday.
HERO'S has already signed on with a local title company, as well as a local real estate team, Resmer said. He added that the program hopes to work with a wide range of businesses, from pizza parlors to car dealerships.
Resmer said the clients will control where the companies' donations go, choosing from pre-selected groups such as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the 100 Club of Arizona, which helps families of officers or firefighters hurt in the line of duty.
Individuals can also donate money, Resmer added.
David Dion owns The Valley Solutions Team, a real estate team with Keller Williams Realty that has agreed to work with HERO'S.
"It just complements what it is we're trying to do in real estate and gives back at the same time," he said.
Dion said he spent four years in the Air Force and five in the National Guard. Many of his agents have served in the military as well, he said.
Resmer said his own military experience was a big reason he wanted to start the HERO'S program. The soldiers he worked with as a drill sergeant became like children to him, he said, and he wanted them to have help when they return.
"You see on TV the stories of all these people that have come back with loss of limbs," he said. "You kind of wonder what's going to happen to them."
Information: (480) 497-9940
Honoring Every Representative of Sacrifice, or HERO'S, will give every dollar earned to existing charities for soldiers, firefighters, cops and other groups in need, said co-founder Phil Resmer.
"Quite frankly, we just wanted to help them," Resmer said. "This is a serious 'give it back to them' kind of thing."
The money will come from a variety of companies that have agreed to donate $500 for each client referred by the HERO'S program, which is based in Mesa.
The process means people can generate money for charities by spending on services they would already use.
Resmer, a former drill sergeant who spent 12 years in the Army, decided to start HERO'S when he discovered he had glaucoma in his left eye and could not re-enlist.
"I was disappointed that I couldn't get involved, so I had to seek another way that I could help," he said.
Resmer teamed up with Todd Hopkins, an old business partner, to create HERO'S, which officially launched Monday.
HERO'S has already signed on with a local title company, as well as a local real estate team, Resmer said. He added that the program hopes to work with a wide range of businesses, from pizza parlors to car dealerships.
Resmer said the clients will control where the companies' donations go, choosing from pre-selected groups such as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the 100 Club of Arizona, which helps families of officers or firefighters hurt in the line of duty.
Individuals can also donate money, Resmer added.
David Dion owns The Valley Solutions Team, a real estate team with Keller Williams Realty that has agreed to work with HERO'S.
"It just complements what it is we're trying to do in real estate and gives back at the same time," he said.
Dion said he spent four years in the Air Force and five in the National Guard. Many of his agents have served in the military as well, he said.
Resmer said his own military experience was a big reason he wanted to start the HERO'S program. The soldiers he worked with as a drill sergeant became like children to him, he said, and he wanted them to have help when they return.
"You see on TV the stories of all these people that have come back with loss of limbs," he said. "You kind of wonder what's going to happen to them."
Information: (480) 497-9940
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