Hardee’s kicked off its fifth annual Stars for Heroes fundraising campaign at participating restaurant locations to benefit our nation’s active duty military and veteran heroes and their families.  Southwest Georgia, Northwest Florida and Southeast Alabama-area Hardee’s restaurants and local franchisees have selected Red Hills Wounded Warrior Group as the local charity partner for the campaign, in addition to national charity partners USA Cares and Dream Foundation’s Dreams for Veterans program.  The program runs May 20 to June 16.

To celebrate and encourage donations, Hardee’s hosted a luncheon with veterans at the Red Hills Wounded Warrior Group, June 9 at noon, at the Hardee’s of Bainbridge, Ga. The Red Hills Wounded Warrior Group Inc. is a non-profit organization that was originated in 2011 by Walter Hatchett and Brian Proctor for the benefit of wounded soldiers returning from active duty overseas. The purpose of this organization is to organize outdoor hunting events with their fellow wounded soldiers who would otherwise not have these opportunities afforded to them. An additional objective is to bring awareness to all our National Heroes that have served our Country so unselfishly and given so much, but to these soldiers in particular that have returned with severe injuries.

To participate in the Stars for Heroes campaign and show support, guests can donate $1 at their neighborhood Hardee’s location and, in return, receive a patriotic star-shaped cut-out to personalize and display in the restaurant as well as coupons valued at more than $10 to use toward future Hardee’s menu items.
The Stars for Heroes program, which has raised more than $3.5 million since its inception in 2011, harnesses the compassion and generosity of Hardee’s and sister chain Carl’s Jr. customers, franchisees and employees to rally behind the nation’s military and their families.

The Wounded Warriors that attend the luncheon were Jason Hewitt, Byron Webb, Graydon Kamp and Kevin Pitts along with some of their family as well as the founders of the organization, Walter Hatchett and Brian Proctor.  Also there from Ponder Enterprises, Inc. were Ernest Ponder, Jim Lutyens, David Stevenson, Rebecca White, Daaron Vanstone, Jennifer Welch and Rhonda Hawkins.