ST. MARY’S COUNTY, Maryland — St. Mary’s County residents Harry and Debbie Pool were honored by the State of Maryland for their work with Hits 4 Heroes. The husband and wife founded the organization which assists injured combat veterans and first responders.
Maryland State Comptroller Peter Franchot virtually presented the pair with the William Donald Schaefer Helping People Award. I am awestruck by your willingness to step up and help the most vulnerable in our society. Every Marylander should be proud and inspired by your incredible efforts.”
Community Award
While Harry and Debbie were honored, they were quick to point out that they wanted to share the credit for Hits 4 Heroes good work. “It’s a group effort. Everybody deserves recognition. It’s a community award.”
The Pools started Hits 4 Heroes back in 2012 as a fundraiser with the Over 40 Softball League for a wounded local veteran. The goal was to raise $5000 to help renovate the triple-amputee’s home to make it wheelchair accessible. That first softball tournament raised $11,000.
The Pools said they knew they were on to something good and wanted to help more vets. Over the years, they’ve raised more than $150,000. You can click here to view the list of veterans the organization has assisted.
The pair said American Legion Posts 54 and 255 played a large part in getting the organization off the ground.
According to Harry, “They volunteered to assist us in all the finances and non-profit side of the house. Saved us a lot of time and money.”
Since then the organization has put on many types of fundraisers including softball tournaments, rummage sales, cornhole tournaments, poker runs, kickball tournaments, truck shows, and a beef raffle.
Harry said the SOMD community is always willing to give back. “Fortunately, here in SOMD, it is very family oriented. Everybody knows everybody. Once you put out the information that you’re going to do a fundraiser for a service member, the whole community comes together and pitches in. People come up and volunteer to do fundraisers.”
COVID Makes It Hard
While COVID-19 has limited the ability for Hits 4 Heroes and other organizations to hold fundraisers, Harry said the SOMD community is still ready to help. “We’re scrambling to try to raise money. SOMD is still stepping forward and still making it work.”
COVID-19 also prevented the Pools from properly thanking all of their volunteers and sponsors. “I would have loved to have been able to present the award to everyone and have everyone there to us. The community and the Hits 4 Heroes family gave up a lot of their time to help us. If there’s a problem someone will always step up.”