Our Mission, His Legacy, and Why 18D
The Rick Herrema Foundation (RHF) exists to strengthen military families – Active Duty, Veteran, Guard, Reserve, Spouses, and Children – by creating spaces where they can reconnect through free, fun, intentional experiences.
RHF does not charge military families for entry, programs, or activities. That is not a slogan; it’s a standard. Families who already carry the weight of service should not also carry the cost of connection.
The 18D Campaign is the strategic vehicle to fund that standard.
Why "18D"?
The program is named in honor of SFC Rick Herrema, a Green Beret 18D Special Forces Medical Sergeant – elite, multi-disciplined, above-and-beyond.
Rick’s role:
Respond first, serve hardest, protect fiercely, care completely.
The campaign bearing his designation must reflect that same ethos: high performance, precise execution, zero compromise in how we show up for families.
18D Donors mirror Special Forces excellence – quiet professionals funding powerful moments.
The 18D Campaign is not “just” a recurring donation ask.
It is an invitation to:
Military Families Carry Enough Already
Military families live with constant change – deployments, training cycles, relocations, and long hours that stretch family life thin.
What they shouldn’t have to carry is the cost of being together.
At Fort Hood and Fort Bragg, tens of thousands of active-duty Soldiers and their families are navigating life under pressure every day. That’s not counting spouses, children, caregivers, and loved ones who carry that weight alongside them.
The Rick Herrema Foundation exists to strengthen relationships and build community for Military families through fun, quality activities.
This Mission Has a Name, AND a Reason
Rick Herrema believed deeply in people.
He believed that community changes lives.
That showing up matters.
That families are stronger when they are supported, connected, and not left to carry everything alone.
Rick understood that military families sacrifice quietly – and often without recognition. The Rick Herrema Foundation exists to honor that sacrifice by creating spaces where families can reconnect, build memories, and belong.
Every program we run and every event we host is built on that belief.
This isn’t just about activities.
It’s about people.
2026 Impact
Changing the way America Cares for Military Families
One Simple Monthly Commitment Can Change Everything
The 18D Campaign was created to build something stronger than one-time donations.
It creates consistency.
When 1,000 people commit to $18 a month, RHF can:
Plan programs with confidence
Offer free community pop-ups year-round
Host specialty events without hesitation
Operate our largest experience — the Ninja Warrior Course
Keep every experience free for military families
This isn’t charity.
It’s a shared responsibility.
What Your $18 Actually Funds
“$18 funds one military family member’s day of connection and resilience.”
The Simple Truth
Your $18/month sponsors one participant’s full RHF experience: events + programs, all free to them.
For a Family of Four:
≈ $72 covers the full experience for everyone
Just direct, trackable impact by numbers.
Families connect absolutely free.
Your $18 Monthly Membership Supports:
Messy Mondays
Creative connections for kids and parents
Nerf Wars
Interactive play that builds teamwork
Specialty Events
Designed to bring families together
Community Pop-Ups
Across Fort Hood & Fort Bragg
Ninja Warrior Course
Our largest, most impactful experience
Every experience is offered at no cost to military families.
Because Loyalty Matters
As a thank-you for standing in the gap month after month, 18D Members will receive special recognition and appreciation gifts at key milestones.
These gifts represent gratitude, not obligation — a small way to say thank you for your commitment to military families.
This Impacts More Families Than You Realize
Fort Bragg is home to over 52,000 active-duty Soldiers and their families.
Fort Hood is home to over 36,000 active-duty Soldiers, with thousands more family members alongside them.
That’s nearly 90,000 Soldiers, not counting spouses, children, and caregivers.
The 18D Movement ensures that families in both communities always have a place to connect without cost standing in the way.
Value Aligned Sponsors Who Support RHF
Join the 18D Movement Today
You don’t need to do everything.
You just need to do one thing consistently.
Your $18 monthly membership ensures military families can show up, connect, and belong — without ever worrying about the price.
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“We believe generosity should feel good — not pressured.”
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Federal EIN# 47-1633525
Contact Us:
Phone: 910-444-1743
Email: info@rhfnow.org
Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 919-814-5400. The license is not an endorsement by the State.
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