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Nominated by HERO Founder Deanna Micheli, Gwen Berg and Mary Teske, Cass County Social Services, Adult Services Division, were honored for their work on behalf of their clients through the utilization of HERO’s supplies and services since 2001.
Jeff Jenson, Black Hawk Designs, donated the design of HERO’s new logo as part of the community awareness campaign, kicked off with the Inaugural M*A*S*H Bash in November of 2005.
Army Reservists Lt. Col. Deb Nelson, Major Florine Johnson and Staff Sergeant Roger Jenson (not pictured) were presented with Military Service Awards by Kathy Swedberg, unit administrator with the Medical Reserves, David F. Johnson Center, North Dakota Medical Hospital Unit 4226.
In October 2005, Donald Hogue, Naval Reserve Center in Fargo, was recognized for an act of HEROism while serving on-board the USS Midway. The President of the United States presented him with the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his Courageous and prompt actions in the face of great personal risk during a major casualty at sea on June 20, 1990.
After an explosion in the fourth deck trunk and storeroom, Donald  Hogue, without hesitation, re-entered the extremely hot and hazardous space to search for injured shipmates. With disregard for his own safety, he found an injured shipmate at the bottom of the ladder on the smoke-filled fourth deck and quickly attached a line to his shipmate and assisted in moving him to safety.
While it has been more than ten years since his actions, he did not seek personal recognition for his selfless actions, and it was not until September of 2005 that his command discovered, while he had received this medal, he never had been presented with it. (The Navy Marine Medal is the same medal that President John F. Kennedy received for his actions on PT109.)
 All charitable organizations rely heavily on their volunteers, and HERO is no exception. During the Inaugural M*A*S*H Bash in 2005, HERO recognized three exceptionally loyal and committed volunteers, who have worked tirelessly in the warehouse, sorting and packing medical supplies and equipment for distribution: Cathy Lo, Corinn Gromatka and Pam Gruchalla (not pictured).
With special thanks to retiring members of the 2005 Board of Directors,
HERO recognized Jo Burdick, MeritCare Home Care,
Board Vice Chair, 2005 and director 1999-2005;
Gary Nolte, Piper Jaffray, director 2001 to 2005; and
Al Traaseth, HERO Treasurer (1999 to 2005).
 
 The first recipient of HERO’s Humanitarian Award is an important part of the HERO team and personifies leadership and humanitarian service. Dr. Siri Fiebiger served for three years as the first Chair of the Board of Project HERO upon incorporation. She also serves the community as a physician and surgeon. In 2005, Fiebiger took a sabbatical from her practice to expand her knowledge and skills to work on her Master’s in the area of public health from Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. Dr. Fiebiger also has committed her time and talents to Project Haiti since its inception and served as a charter member of the Events Team for the inaugural M*A*S*H Bash.
 In 1996, a group of operating room nurses researched a method of safely recycling healthcare supplies and presented their project concept to F-M area healthcare facilities. The providers, once forced to discard opened packages because of the cost and liability of reprocessing, found the alternative of recycling very attractive. Now they could reduce costly medical waste expenses and help others at the same time. HERO was born from that cooperative project, and the number of agencies, healthcare facilities and individuals joining our effort to recycle medical supplies continues to multiply.
Each day at our HERO office, we hear the words, “thank you.” Sometimes the words come from a family member who is now able to care for their loved one because they received equipment from HERO. Other times we receive a thank you from a member of an excited medical mission team just returning from Africa, India or Haiti, where they were able to care for hundreds of patients with supplies received from HERO. There are times when the words are expressed through the tearful eyes of a thankful family that has found a way to help others by donation equipment, once bellowing to their loved one who has passed away. Every thank you simply reinforces the desire to continue our mission of service to those in need.
I am constantly amazed that an organization with such a humble beginning has become a large-scale operation with endless potential for helping so many people. Through the efforts of a dedicated Board of Directors, the warehouse has doubled its capacity with each passing year. As wonderful as that may be, HERO knows there are many healthcare providers and individuals who are unaware of our existence. We hope our message continues to be spread and that all those who believe in helping others by recycling medical supplies will be willing to offer their support.
Deanna Micheli, RN, BS, CNOR
HERO Founder and Medical Supply Coordinator
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