Fan the Flames of Gratitude: Ember Orlando Hosts Military Appreciation Night

On Saturday, January 21st, the night was heating up as Ember of Orlando hosted an Armed Forces Appreciation Party. Proceeds from the cover and from their original "Ultimate Hero" drink went to the wounded heroes of the Healing Heroes Network.

New Year's Resolution: Help Heal our Heroes

Many of us "fall off the wagon" when it comes to New Year's Resolutions. I know I have. I haven't once been to the gym this year to start my "healthier lifestyle." But when it comes to your resolution to be more charitable or to help us folks at the Healing Heroes Network in our goal to help wounded veterans, there are many simple ways to succeed.

1.) Monetary Donations

Yes, perhaps the easiest, fastest method of helping out is to just donate money to HHN. With a few clicks you can donate via PayPal, or you could send a check. From $500 to $5, every bit counts towards helping our veterans have a healthier tomorrow. For more information, click here: Monetary Donations.

2.) In-Kind Donations

If giving money isn't a good fit, sometimes it's easier to give actual goods and services. Sending us medical equipment for treatments and care of our warriors is a great way to give back. Even things like gift cards can be used for fundraising auctions, buy supplies for programs, or even to give to veterans who could enjoy them. 

We'd love to take all donations, but it's not always feasible. Make sure to call us first at (727) 781-4376 to make sure that the object you want to donate can be used. 

3.) Volunteer for a fundraising event.

Sometimes people don't want to give money or things, but will happily give their time. There are many ways to volunteer time for HHN. While most of our events happen in the Tampa Bay area, we are a national nonprofit and have events all over. Call us up or check out our website to see if we have anything going on in your area!

Silvio's contacted HHN about this fundraiser

If we don't have anything happening near you soon, there's always the option to take the initiative yourself to host a fundraiser. Hosting events are not only rewarding, but tend to be really fun. In the past, people have held concerts, dinners, or even auctions in support of HHN. If you have an idea for an event you'd like to plan, contact our Development Manager to get started.

4.) Talk about HHN

One of the most credible ways to really spread the message about HHN and our cause is to simply talk about us. Tell your friends, tell your coworkers, tell the strangers on the bus. Word-of-mouth stories are the ones that really sink in and help people remember a cause.  

If you don't feel comfortable blabbing all over town about us, just putting up some of our flyers or brochures is another alternative to explore. To get PDFs or other bits of our literature, just email our administration. Getting people to know and understand our cause is half the battle.

Getting involved in a cause isn't as complex and complicated as many believe it to be, and it is much more rewarding than you expect. Keep your New Year's Resolution or create one now by committing today to help Healing Heroes in its mission to heal our injured warriors.

"Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned." -Peter Marshall

Honoring the Fallen and Homebound with Music

Even with Christmas just around the corner, one group had visions of something other than sugarplums in their heads. They wanted to throw an event to support our troops, honor the fallen, and celebrating with those who were home at last.

Happy New Year!

We at HHN want to thank you all for your support for us, and more important, for our Service Men and Women. With this year coming to an end and the next starting up, we are thankful for all the veterans we've been able to help and look forward to those we'll meet in the coming year.

Have a Safe and Happy New Year!

Happy 375th Birthday National Guard!

December 13th, 2011, marks the 375th Birthday of the US National Guard. The motto "Always Ready, Always There" couldn't be more fitting when you know the history of our National Guard. 

The Date that Lives in Infamy: 70th Anniversary of the Attack on Pearl Harbor

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the tragic attacks on Pearl Harbor leading to America's entry into WWII.


December 7, 1941, a Date Which will Live in Infamy

As President Franklin Roosevelt so stated, it was a "date that lives in infamy." America will never forget this reminder that we can not stand idly by as world war breaks out. We must remember all of the innocent people who lost their lives in WWII and those brave men in our military who went off to defend freedom.

The Original American Patriots

Everyone's heard of Thanksgiving. Pilgrims & Indians, turkey, yada-yada. While the holiday stands as a wonderful sentiment, a day to give thanks to everything we have, there's another holiday that has all but been forgotten. November 25th was the holiday Evacuation Day, a day for America's original patriots.

Google for Veterans: a Review of Google's New Resource for Vets and Their Families

As Veterans Day passes, Google noted it as is does with most holidays: with one of its "doodles." But, in the coming weeks and days, it'll go a little further than just a passing reference to our veterans. Google is launching Google for Veterans, a resource for veterans and their families to use to adjust to military life and then back again to the civilian sphere.

Veterans Day 2011

Veterans Day is a holiday that goes all the way back to WWI. The Great War ended "the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month," the holiday was created to remember the cost of war and need of peace. Originally called Armistice Day, it was changed to Veterans Day in 1954 to include those who fought in all wars. Celebrated throughout the world as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day, this is a day to thank all who fought and to appreciate the sacrifice our warriors must make to protect us.

As time progresses, it is easy to forget our roots and to just accept wartime feelings. But we must always remember and respect the courage it takes to fight for your country. Many of us have family, friends, and other loved ones who have or still do serve in the US Military. While we might not always agree with wars going on or the politics behind certain things, we must always support our troops. They don't fight for Obama or Bush or anyone else in the government. They fight for you. They fight for America.

Please take one moment today to think about the hardships and bravery of our military. If you have the opportunity, thank a member of the armed forces for their service. Donate or volunteer for a veterans' organization. Show you still care about  and support them after all this time.

Bless America and Bless our Veterans!

Founding Director Recognized For 'Selfless Act'

Many of you may already know the origin story of Healing Heroes Network. Dr. Allan Spiegel was a neurologist who would often see veterans coming to him as patients with Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). Witnessing these brave men and women returning from war, sometimes grievously wounded, he knew it was his duty as a patriotic citizen to do what he could for them. As a neurologist with a specialty in Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), Dr. Spiegel was in a unique position to help these people with TBIs utilize his equipment and knowledge to try to return to the quality of life they had enjoyed before going to war. And Dr. Spiegel did this all free of cost.

Dr. Allan Spiegel receives the "Commandant's Award for Excellence"
from National Commandant of the MCL, Vic Voltaggio.

From this idea to provide medical treatments free to military personnel returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, Healing Heroes Network was born. It is a lofty goal, to provide financial assistance for the wounded warriors returning from tours after September 11, 2001, but Dr. Spiegel and the Healing Heroes Network are dedicated to the task. Recently, Dr. Spiegel was commended for this valiant effort by the Commandant of the Marine Corps League (MCL).