In 2009 Mark heard a radio interview about Veterans that were currently serving in Iraq. The troops were reporting they were without certain basic hygiene items and necessities. Mark teamed up with a few other co-workers and they decided to hold a fund-raiser to collect the items the troops were requesting. The fundraiser was a huge success and they were able to send 68 large care packages to the troops in Iraq for Christmas. The cards and thank you letters received from Soldiers, Marines, Airman and Navy personnel were tremendously touching. This encouraged Mark and others to continue their fundraising efforts.

The years have been exciting and rewarding. “Honoring Heroes” has become an official 501C3 non-profit organization and have coordinated and participated along with others, to hold many fundraising events; poker runs, auctions, raffles, t-shirt sales and more. Honoring Heroes has sent hundreds of care packages to Iraq and Afghanistan; assisted in the funding of homes built for Veterans who have suffered catastrophic injuries; partnered with local transitional centers to assist Veterans move into their new housing. Assisted other nonprofits such as: The Returning Veterans Project, Ft. Kennedy, VETcare, Easter Seals of Oregon, The Tanner Project, Oregon National Guard, Joys of Living Assistance Dogs and more. Honoring Heroes also assists homeless veterans receive basic necessities, provides funding for returning Veterans their families suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

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Mark Buchholz, Founder and Chairman of Honoring Heroes