H.E.R.O.E.S. Care, a nonprofit organization that supports veterans and active military members, has relocated its headquarters from Fenton to High Ridge and has expanded its services.
On Jan. 1, the organization moved to 4558 Gravois Village Center, and it will hold an open house on Tuesday, March 28, the same day H.E.R.O.E.S. Care celebrates its 20-year anniversary.
The grand opening will start at 8 a.m. and is open to veterans, military members and Gold Star Family members – immediate family members of those who died while serving during a conflict.
Those who want to attend the open house must register, preferably in advance, and they will receive a pair of men’s work boots, two pair of Coach women’s shoes, an electric red car for young children and more, all for free, said Jon Jerome, the organization’s founder and president.
Jerome, 59, of High Ridge said the new location is bigger and better, providing space for a new Mission Depot.
“We have a Mission Depot now where veterans and active military members can shop once a month and get $300 of stuff (for free),” he said.
Jerome said those who want to shop there must make an appointment.
“They can get food, auto stuff, cleaning supplies, towels, sheets, pillow cases, coffee makers, coffee pots, other household items,” he said. “They can come in for a suit for a (job) interview, and if they get the job, they can come back and get five more.
“We had one Vietnam veteran who said he’d never owned a computer, and he walked out with a laptop,” Jerome said.
When the veterans or military members set up an appointment for their monthly shopping trip, they are asked to discuss their “mission” so the organization can try to provide them what they need most.
“Before military members went on a mission, they shopped at the depot and got the ammunition and water and things they needed. This is the same thing. So, we’ll say, ‘What is your mission for February?' If it’s Valentine’s Day, maybe they’ll come in a get a Coach purse for their wife, or if they say they’re going to be watching their grandkids, we’ll get them diapers, drinks, cereal. That way the money they would be spending on their mission can be used to pay their utility bills.”
In addition to the special items for their mission, when the veterans or military members shop at the new depot in High Ridge, they’ll receive five articles of clothing, 25 food items, 10 miscellaneous items and one household item, Jerome said.
The organization also offers veterans and military members help with financial and employment services. It also helps them apply for veterans benefits and obtain legal counsel. They also may receive free haircuts, Jerome said.
“And much, much more is coming,” he said.
Jerome said the organization helps about 30 veterans a day.
He said H.E.R.O.E.S Care also sends supplies to 10 military bases around the country.
“Say we get a truckload of something, say purses, we will send them to military bases, and they distribute them out to people in need at those bases.”
Jerome said the organization also trains volunteers to provide one-on-one care to spouses of deployed military members.
“The volunteers check in on the spouses, and if one says the brakes (on her car) are squeaking, we send them to a repair shop (and cover the cost to fix them),” Jerome said.
He said all the food and other items the veterans receive are donated to the organization or purchased with money it receives through donations.
For example, he said, Chuck’s Boots recently donated “33 pallets of unneeded product,” he said.
Jerome said people like the new location and the Mission Depot.
“They say it’s fantastic,” he said.
Jerome said he started the organization in 2003 after his daughters, Mallary Jerome and Rachael Mueller, wanted to send care packages to military members.
“It started from 13 care packages (and now is) the third-largest military charity organization with a four-star Charity Navigator rating in the country,” he said.
Jerome said 96 cents of every dollar the organization receives goes to the veterans and military members.
He said the group is always seeking volunteers.
To volunteer, or to register for the open house or for a monthly Mission Depot shopping date, visit the website heroescare.org. Or, call 636-600-0096.