Continuing the celebration of the 10th anniversary of H-E-B’s Operation Appreciation program, H-E-B will honor the Month of the Military Child throughout April by supporting dedicated nonprofits providing meaningful outreach to military children and families across Texas.
Among its giving to support the children of military service members, H-E-B gifted more than $300,000 to military-focused nonprofits to include Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC), and the Gratitude Initiative.
MCEC supports all military-connected children by educating, advocating, and collaborating to resolve education challenges associated with the military lifestyle. Efforts to benefit from this gift include
- Month of the Military Child events/Initiatives
- MCEC En Español Team, which make critical resources available in Spanish
- Student 2 Student (S2S) program
- Since 2012, H-E-B has donated nearly $2 million in support of MCEC and its mission
Gratitude Initiative to enroll 68 students into the GI College Success Academy that provides comprehensive college and career counseling, test prep, and financial aid counseling program for military and Veteran families.
Additional funding was gifted to Comfort Crew for Military Kids for visits to select Texas schools for the “With You All the Way!” tour, an engaging and educational presentation that emphasizes the importance of caring and developing valuable strategies for dealing with the unique challenges of military life. Led by award-winning TV personality and children’s book author, Trevor Romain, the “With You All the Way!” tour has reached over 1 million kids in 16 countries since 2010. The presentations share upbeat messages that emphasize the importance developing effective strategies for dealing with bullying, divorce, homework, moving, fears, and health and wellness. The tour will visit select schools in San Antonio, Killeen, Corpus Christi, and Del Rio.
“Along with our brave military service members, their children also make sacrifices in service to our nation, and H-E-B is proud to support their growth and honor their courage and strength,” said Winell Herron, H-E-B Group Vice President of Public Affairs, Diversity and Environmental Affairs.
It’s estimated that there are more than 1.6 million children of military service members who are active duty and reserves, according to the Defense Department. These children face a multitude of challenges such as separation form a deployed parent, loss of a parent, frequent relocation, and more. An integral part of the company’s charitable efforts, H-E-B’s Operation Appreciation supports, honors, and provides employment opportunities to military service members and their families throughout the year.
Visit our nonprofit partners below to learn more about available resources, services, events, and other opportunities around Month of the Military Child throughout April.
Launched in 2013, H-E-B’s Operation Appreciation works with dedicated nonprofits supporting the military and sponsors several events throughout the year to celebrate military spouses, support youth education initiatives, and honor holidays such as Independence Day, Veterans Day, and Memorial Day.
Additionally, H-E-B’s annual donation campaign raises funds for military-serving non-profits, including the Military Child Education Coalition, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors and the United Service Organizations. The program has provided more than $10 million in support to dozens of military-based nonprofits in Texas as well as efforts that provide mortgage-free homes to severely wounded Veterans.
H-E-B has regularly been named a top workplace for military Veterans and was recently recognized by Forbes as a top employer for Veterans. Through H-E-B Operation Appreciation, H-E-B has hired thousands of Veterans and active-duty service members, including their family members. Since 2014, H-E-B has hired more than 25,000 Veterans and military spouses.
