ESA began supporting military personnel and their families during World War II. In fact, much of ESA’s early international growth was a result of military members forming new chapters as they moved to new bases.
Hope for Heroes is specifically directed at providing membership support for military personnel and their families, and has recently evolved to include an annual ESA Hope for Heroes national event held each year on or around Veteran’s Day in November. The celebration includes honoring veterans, sending greetings and care packages to military personnel serving abroad, and organizing additional activities to support active military personnel and veterans at the local level.
Indiana ESA members support Hope for Heroes by collecting coupons for their Coupon Exchange Program, sending care packages to service members serving abroad, and collecting goods for local veteran support programs in Indiana.