Giving Back
Portions of Salute to American Heroes proceeds offer support to these esteemed charities, and their commendable causes
Operation BBQ Relief
Operation BBQ Relief is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was founded in May 2011 in response to a need for tornado relief efforts in Joplin, Missouri. Competitive pitmasters from nine different states answered the call to feed displaced families and first responders. Together, they were able to serve over 120,000 meals in a 13-day period. This experience of building a network to feed individuals in need has been the inspiration for Operation BBQ Relief. To date, Operation BBQ Relief has provided over 11 million meals throughout the United States and internationally following natural disasters, COVID-19 response, and through The Always Serving Project, benefiting the homeless, first responders, veterans and members of the military. https://operationbbqrelief.org/
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Operation Healing Heroes
Operation Healing Hero's MissionTo preserve history by documenting and honoring the lives of our U.S. Military Heroes & and their Families, one story at a time. To provide financial, educational, and emotional support to veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress (PTS).In 2023, we will continue to document the lives of our US Military Veterans, and Gold Star Families and provide “follow-up” episodes to veterans we’ve filmed with in the past. NEW for 2023 – will be a 52-week Podcast Series – where we will document ADDITIONAL veterans lives! https://www.operationhealingheroes.org/
Operation Song
Operation Song empowers veterans, active-duty military members, and their families to tell their stories through the process of songwriting. Those we serve need no musical or writing skills, only a willingness to share their stories and, with the help of professional songwriters, transform their stories into incredible songs of service and sacrifice.
Founded in 2012 by renowned Nashville songwriter Bob Regan, Operation Song set out with a simple yet powerful idea: pairing professional songwriters with veterans to help them share their experiences. Fast forward 11 years and 1650 songs later, and it's clear the impact has been profound.
For veterans, the opportunity to work with a songwriter isn't just about crafting lyrics and melodies—it's about finding healing through storytelling. Many participants have described it as the most therapeutic thing they've ever done, with some even crediting it with saving their lives.
At Operation Song, we're honored to offer this opportunity to veterans and military family members at no cost. https://www.operationsong.org
Heart of a Lion
The mission of the Heart of a Lion is to provide mental, physical, and wellness support to our nation’s children, first responders, and America’s Veterans.
2-time PGA Major Champion John Daly and Combat Wounded Veteran Major Ed Pulido, U.S. Army (Ret.) joined forces to make a major impact on the world of philanthropy. Both men know how important it is to have a great heart for America’s children, first responders and our nation’s Veterans. As major contributors to organizations they strongly believe in, they realized that if they combined their philanthropy efforts, they could increase support and awareness in meeting the mission requirements of these non-profits. https://jdheartofalion.org/
Major Ed
Major Ed Pulido, U.S. Army (Ret.) is the Founder and CEO of Major Ed: Empower the Veterans Foundation. He is also the Commercial Project Manager for First American Title. In addition, he is a Founding member of the Heart of a Lion Foundation which provides mental, physical and wellness support to our nation’s children and Americas Veterans. Additionally, he was the Sr. VP and is a current Military Ambassador for the Folds of Honor Foundation, a Veteran’s charity which provides the spouses and children of the fallen and wounded educational scholarships. Major Ed is also a founding member of Warriors for Freedom Foundation, a leadership institute focused on the mental, physical and wellness support of our wounded Veterans and their families. He is the spokesperson for AROGA Health. Finally, Major Ed is the Founder of Warrior Nation, a movement focused on the rights of liberty, freedom and patriotism with an autobiography entitled Warrior for Freedom: Challenge, Triumph and Change, the Major Ed Pulido Story. https://www.majored.org/
Southern Cross Service Dogs
Southern Cross Service Dogs was founded to enable an enriching and fulfilling life by pairing exceptionally trained service dogs with exceptional people to provide an increase in independence and self-reliance. Southern Cross Service Dogs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching lives by providing exceptionally trained service dogs at no cost to qualified individuals with disabilities.
Each Southern Cross service dog works to increase independence, foster self-reliance, and support the well-being of the individual it is paired with.
Gray Bull Rescue Foundation
Our name, “Grey Bull,” is inspired by a profound story of hope and resilience. During the Vietnam War, American soldiers were held captive by the North Vietnamese at the Son Tay prison. Colonel Arthur “Bull” Simons led a daring raid on the prison, only to find that the prisoners had been moved shortly before the operation. Despite the mission not achieving its primary objective, the prisoners heard about the raid and were filled with hope, knowing that brave Americans were fighting for their freedom. This gave them the strength and will to survive their captivity.
The Grey Bull team, led by Bryan Stern, strives to bring this same sense of hope to Americans and allies in need, giving them a lifeline in times of crisis. The “Bull” in Grey Bull Rescue symbolizes the hope and determination embodied by Colonel Simons and his team. We are here to offer hope and fight for those who need it most—just as Bull Simons did.
Based in Tampa, Florida, Grey Bull Rescue operates on two fronts – The Grey Bull Rescue Foundation, a nonprofit organization that is entirely donor-funded, and The Grey Bull Rescue Group, a for-profit organization founded to directly assist governments and other entities with rescuing citizens in danger.
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