Every Hero Deserves a Hero
Since 2016, we've been keeping America's heroes safe through 100% privately funded equipment support
Making a Difference Together
130+
Requests Funded
10+
Years Protecting our Heroes
Why HeroFund Exists
The Reality
Every day, first responders face unprecedented dangers. There's no such thing as a routine call. Law enforcement officers confront threats with every traffic stop. Firefighters work in temperatures exceeding 1,200 degrees. EMS personnel respond to volatile situations where split-second decisions mean life or death. The technology and equipment to protect these heroes exists, but many departments struggle to afford even basic safety gear.
The Budget Gap
A single set of firefighter bunker gear costs $3,000. Body armor and a ballistic helmet run $2,500. Thermal imaging cameras range from $500 to $7,500. Multiply those costs across an entire department, and the numbers become impossible for many budgets to absorb. Technology advances faster than funding cycles, leaving first responders using outdated equipment or going without critical protection altogether. While departments large and small recognize the need, budget realities force impossible choices between equipment and other essential operations.
The Local Impact
Right here in Missouri and Kansas, departments face these same challenges. Law Enforcement Agencies operating on tight budgets. Fire Departments serving large territories with limited resources. EMS teams responding to calls without adequate protective equipment. These are the heroes protecting our families, our neighbors, and our communities. They run toward danger every shift. They deserve every tool available to help them come home safely after their shift ends.
How It Started
In late-2016 three longtime friends; Rick Seithel, Sam Silvio and Darrell Smith met to formulate a plan to support our local First-Responder HEROES with new, state-of-the-art, life-saving safety equipment and high-tech resources to ensure the greatest envelope of safety possible, realizing there’s a gap that exists between departmental budgets and emerging needs that exist.
On December 26, 2016 HeroFundUSA was founded and incorporated in Missouri and Kansas and the process was started immediately to secure tax exempt status under IRS Code 501(c)(3).
Early Vision
From the beginning, we knew we wanted to do things differently. No government grants. No bureaucratic red tape. No layers of administration eating up donations. Just community members directly supporting the first responders who protect us. We wanted every dollar to count, every donation to make a tangible difference, and every piece of equipment to represent a life potentially saved.
First Steps
From humble beginnings, great things can happen! Our first fundraising event was called GOLFING ‘FORE’ HEROES/HFUSA GOLF CLASSIC co-chaired by Rick Seithel & Sam Silvio and coordinated by Darrell Smith. That first event raised some $7500. Soon, more events were added including bowlathons, concerts, collection drives and later, an annual gala called DINING WITH HEROES was created which serves as our largest one-night event.
Building on Core Principles
Those early days established the principles we still follow today. We committed to remaining 100% privately funded, ensuring we answered to our community rather than government bureaucracies. We structured our annual membership campaign to cover administrative costs separately, guaranteeing that 100% of public donations go directly to equipment. We created the 50/50 match program, partnering with departments rather than simply writing checks. And we stayed local—funds raised in your community stay in your community.
Momentum and Growth
What started as an idea in Blue Springs, Missouri has grown into a lifeline for first responders across two states—Missouri & Kansas. We've fulfilled over 115 equipment requests, putting life-saving gear in the hands of the officers, firefighters, and paramedics who need it most. But the mission remains the same as day one: keep first responders safe so they can come home to their families.
Who We Serve
Law Enforcement
- Body armor & ballistic helmets
- Outer-carrier vests & ballistic shields
- K-9s & K-9 protective vests
- Drones
- Communication equipment
- Water rescue gear
- Vehicle safety partitions
- Stop sticks
- Much more
EMS Personnel
- Body armor for dangerous scenes
- Ballistic helmets
- Protective gloves & face shields
- Communication equipment
- Water rescue gear
- Vehicle safety equipment
Fire Fighters
- Bunker gear & turnout gear
- Helmets & headlights
- Thermal imaging cameras
- Particulate-blocking hoods
- Body armor for active threats
- Drones for scene assessment
- Gas detection meters
- Communication equipment
- Water rescue gear
Meet The Board
Mickey Vena
Jim Seaman
Kirk Lair
Trey Scott
Brian Haaraoja
Richard Seithel
Dan Karst
Sam Silvio
Meet Our Team
Darrell Smith
Terry Smith
Be Part of Our Story
What started as one conversation in 2016 has grown into a movement. Every piece of equipment funded, every first responder protected, every life saved—it's only possible because people like you choose to step up. The next chapter is being written right now, and we need your help to write it.