Ohio Nonprofit Helped 483 Veterans With $218K in Aid

Tami Robinson never knows what the next call will bring when a veteran reaches out for help. One day it's a utility bill that can't get paid, the next it's furniture for someone finally moving into their own home.

That simple approach has turned Love Our Hero's from a small thrift store into a 9,000-square-foot lifeline for veterans and their families across 18 counties in Ohio. The Bellville nonprofit has helped 483 veterans and provided more than $218,000 in assistance so far.

"We focus on how to help this person today, and then we worry about the next day," Robinson said. The organization tackles whatever comes through the door, from vehicle repairs to medical equipment.

But Robinson can't do it alone. Local residents donate military memorabilia and household items that fill the walls and shelves at the 24 Bell St. location. Volunteers sort and organize while businesses find creative ways to raise money.

Miller's Hawkins Market has become one of Love Our Hero's biggest champions. Store Manager Karen Graves spotted a flyer at her chiropractor's office in 2022 and bought two tables for the nonprofit's purse bingo. She brought 18 team members along.

That single night sparked an ongoing partnership. Last November, Miller's raised $2,500 through $1 decals that customers signed and placed on store windows. This Saturday, the store is hosting its second Rib Fest of the year for the nonprofit, donating all proceeds from full and half slab sales.

"They sacrificed their lives for us," Graves said. "So it's an honor for us to do this for them."

Inside Love Our Hero's, the walls tell stories most thrift stores never could. Military uniforms and memorabilia donated by veterans create what Robinson calls "more than a thrift store, it's a museum."

Veterans often become emotional walking through the space. Some recognize an item from their own service, others spot something that belonged to a family member. Nothing military is for sale, only displayed to honor those who served.

The Ripple Effect

The real magic happens when veterans transitioning into housing walk through the doors. They can choose household items they need to turn an empty space into a home. Most items don't have set prices; customers donate what they can afford.

Robinson sees how simple household items create fresh starts. "It's hope," she said.

Miller's team will keep the support going, helping cook at the March purse bingo and sponsoring October's beauty pageant. Graves said her team doesn't do it for recognition. They do it because helping local veterans feels right.

Robinson doesn't know what tomorrow's call for help will be. She just knows she'll be there to answer it.