Dakota County Heroes Receives $5,000 Grant from Homes for Heroes Foundation

The Homes for Heroes Foundation awarded Dakota County Heroes with a $5,000 grant to help support Minnesota first responders and their families. Homes for Heroes, Inc. and the Homes for Heroes Foundation are honored to support Dakota County Heroes and their vital mission of supporting first responders throughout Dakota County.

The Dakota County Heroes Mission

Why was Dakota County Heroes Established?

Dakota County Heroes was born from the efforts of dedicated community members who understand the sacrifices made by those who serve and protect. In 2020, when state-level support for first responders faced challenges, a group of determined mothers stepped forward with a simple but resolute message: “NOT in our county!“

What began as informal appreciation events for local police and fire departments quickly evolved into something much larger.

Sara Nelson, President of Dakota County Heroes, explains how local businesses, despite their own struggles during COVID restrictions, approached the organizers asking, “We want to keep supporting our local heroes! What can we do to help?“

This groundswell of community support led to the official formation of Dakota County Heroes as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The organization partners with local businesses and community members to address the needs of first responders as they arise, recognizing that supporting those who serve our communities requires ongoing commitment and resources.

Since 2022, the organization has focused significant effort on raising funds for K9 ballistic vests, demonstrating their understanding that protecting our four-legged partners is just as important as protecting their human counterparts. To date, they have raised over $9,000 for this critical initiative and remain committed to ensuring all department K9s receive proper protection.

What Does Dakota County Heroes Do to Help Heroes?

Dakota County Heroes has developed a comprehensive approach to supporting first responders by identifying and addressing gaps in funding that leave needs unmet. Through their work with local departments, they discovered numerous essential items and services that aren’t covered by state funding but remain necessities for effective operations.

Their Operation Dakota County K9 initiative has already provided six bulletproof vests for local K9 units. These life-saving pieces of equipment ensure that our canine partners have the same level of protection as their human handlers when facing dangerous situations.

Since 2022, the organization has focused significant effort on raising funds for K9 ballistic vests, demonstrating their understanding that protecting our four-legged partners is just as important as protecting their human counterparts. To date, they have raised over $9,000 for this critical initiative and remain committed to ensuring all department K9s receive proper protection.

Recognizing that fire departments also face equipment shortfalls, Dakota County Heroes began purchasing hose rollers, which are essential equipment that help firefighters deploy hoses more efficiently but aren’t typically covered in department budgets.

The organization addresses one of the more challenging aspects of first responder life by supporting families dealing with PTSD and the lengthy wait times for benefits. When first responders face mental health challenges, their families often wait months or even years for benefits to begin, sometimes risking the loss of their homes. Dakota County Heroes steps in during these critical periods through Community Hero Fundraisers.

One particularly moving example involved a first responder family expecting a baby while waiting for benefits to process. Facing the potential loss of their home, the department reached out to Dakota County Heroes for assistance. The organization quickly organized a Community Hero Fundraiser and collaborated with other local nonprofits to provide the resources needed to keep the family housed. They continued supporting this family during the holiday season through their Operation Christmas Cheer program.

When tragedy struck Burnsville, Minnesota, over a year ago, Dakota County Heroes organized their largest fundraiser to date, raising $22,000 to send the families of fallen heroes to Police Week in Washington, D.C. This effort ensured that these brave individuals could be honored in a manner worthy of their ultimate sacrifice.

How will this Grant be Used to Support First Responder Heroes?

The $5,000 grant will address two important areas of support that Dakota County Heroes has identified through their ongoing work with local departments.

First, the organization will continue their year-long effort to acknowledge and honor South Metro SWAT for their service and sacrifice to the community. Political barriers and the need to protect officer identities and safety have prevented public recognition of these specialized units. Dakota County Heroes has been working behind the scenes to organize a private event that will demonstrate community support while providing access to local resources that will assist these officers as they continue their demanding work on the front lines.

The grant will also fund the purchase of much-needed K9 Rescue Kits equipped with specialized medical equipment designed specifically for our canine partners. Recent losses of K9s across the nation have highlighted the need for proper medical equipment that can help handlers provide immediate care to injured dogs in the field.

Sara Nelson emphasizes the organization’s philosophy regarding these four-legged heroes:

“Our K9s are not just tools. They are partners. They are loved. They deserve to be protected.”

These rescue kits will ensure that K9 handlers have access to the specialized medical equipment needed to keep their partners stable should they require immediate medical attention.

Through this grant, Dakota County Heroes continues to demonstrate that when communities come together to support those who serve, real change happens. Their simple conviction that local heroes deserve local support, has created a model for how communities can step up to fill gaps in first responder support.

Shannon Toner, Homes for Heroes real estate specialist, was asked why she nominated Dakota County Heroes to receive the $5,000 grant and she responded by saying:

“I love what Sara has created, and it has touched me personally. My goal is always to give back to those who sacrifice so much. The more I do, the more I try to give back. So I was willing to join their board to help. And, I feel we’re a little board who does a lot of good work. Receiving this grant was a big surprise. Thank you.”

How You can Support the Dakota County Heroes’ Mission

You can help support Dakota County Heroes’ mission by visiting their Facebook Group page. It is a private group, but you can ask to join. Please look up their Venmo page to make a donation.

Foundation Grants – Part of Homes for Heroes Circle of Giving

Grants from the Homes for Heroes Foundation are made possible by the Homes for Heroes Circle of Giving and its network of real estate and mortgage professionals. Homes for Heroes, Inc. is committed to providing savings to community heroes; including firefighters, EMS, law enforcement, military (active duty, reserves and veterans), healthcare professionals and teachers.

To expand its Circle of Giving, Homes for Heroes, Inc., donates a portion of its earnings to the Homes for Heroes Foundation. So, every time a hero buys or sells a home using the Homes for Heroes program, they are helping other heroes across the country who are facing a housing crisis, or are in need of urgent financial assistance.

If you are interested in learning more about how Homes for Heroes can guide you through the home buying, selling or refinancing process AND save you an average of $3,000 after closing on a home, simply sign up to be connected with our local specialists. They will follow up with you to answer all of your questions.

If you’re interested in learning about our wider impact, simply visit the Homes for Heroes Foundation page for more information about recent grants to hero organizations, how much it has awarded, and how it all works.

If you’re interested in supporting and donating to the Homes for Heroes Foundation to assist heroes in need, please visit the donation page to submit your contribution via PayPal. We thank you for your interest and support.