We recently connected with Joe Whitledge and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Joe thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
Our mission at Defending Heroes Project (501c3) is to ensure that all of our heroes in uniform (First Responders, Military and Veterans) are honored, as well as assisted in their time of need. We will see that no one fights alone, and all our heroes have a hand to help comfort and lift them back up! This mission is more than a mission to me. It is my passion and a desire I have to help those that sacrifice so much.
I have spent the last 14 years as a law enforcement officer at my hometown police department. During this time I’ve gotten to know many amazing officers, first responders….heroes! I’ve seen the sacrifices, the courage and the selflessly running into danger to help those in need. I’ve also seen what the job can do to a person. On top of the dangers of the job and the injuries that happen, we also put self care on the back burner and mental health along with that.
One such hero, a close friend and my sister in blue is Janna Gatten. Janna retired in 2019 after 20 years of service to our community. Janna always had your 6 and had a passion for the job, serving the community and helping others. Janna loved law enforcement so much that she came back as a retired officer in 2020. After coming back she found out she had colon cancer. She went through surgeries and chemo/radiation for a long time leaving tons of medical bills. Our hero Janna was able to return to work after over 2 years. This made her so happy. Shortly after returning, Janna shared with me that the cancer had returned and was terminal. Janna chose to continue working as long as possible. One of her biggest concerns was leaving large amounts of debt from medical bills to her spouse. Although it was a passion and desire to honor and help our heroes, when she shared this devastating news with me, I wanted to help our hero in any way possible and show support. Defending Heroes Project was launched (she helped decide the name). In September 2022. Janna decided she wanted to tell her story to help others get preventative screenings/self care that could save lives, so her story was aired locally. In October 2022, we held a fundraising event and gathering that not only gave Janna, but all of us, such a joy and a memory none of us will ever forget, we also were able to pay off all Janna’s medical bills and other expenses. Our hero’s end of watch came on 2/13/23, but her story and legacy will carry on in the work of Defending Heroes Project!
In just a years time, our organization has grown in amazing ways. We have helped so many of our heroes during their time of need. We have networked and helped heroes not only our community, but nationally. I have had the privilege and true blessing to see lives touched, heroes get hope when they did not expect it, support when they needed it, and someone in their corner through the hard times and tragedy. I have also had the honor to help get first responders and veterans battling the demons of the job get help with their PTSD. I’ve personally driven a veteran to a procedure to help the symptoms of PTSD, and I got to see an almost instant transformation to pure joy and relief. He had been tormented by this for decades. My heart could have burst with joy seeing him fight back tears of joy as he took on the moment and feelings that he had not felt in so long.
This is why I do what I do, why I formed Defending Heroes Project. Heroes you are not alone!
Joe, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am located in Henderson, KY (Northwestern KY). I have lived here all my life. I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Murray State University, and I’ve spent the last 14 years as a law enforcement officer in my hometown. I was raised with a huge respect and appreciation for our heroes in uniform and veterans who selflessly serve and sacrifice so much for the freedoms we enjoy, and those that serve our communities. My time in law enforcement has not only strengthened this even more, but it has also allowed me to see first hand how much those who serve sacrifice and give to help others. I’ve seen heroes injured in the line of duty from a minor injury to a life changing or life ending injury. I have seen heroes go through traumas and struggles both on and off the job. I have also been through them myself. I started Defending Heroes Project because our heroes need someone there to support them in their time of need as they have day after day when someone needed them. I also have seen the effect of the traumatic experiences have on our heroes mental health, and I’ve battled it myself. Defending Heroes Project’s mission is to help our heroes in uniform (first responders and military) and veterans in their time of need. Whether it’s on the job injury or going through struggles and tragedy in their personal lives, we are here for our heroes! This also includes mental health and self care. We work to help smash the stigma of mental health in our these professions. We network with many other organizations and businesses to help our heroes however possible. One of the ways we have been able to help with mental health is sending heroes for a life changing procedure to help relieve the symptoms of PTSD, so they can process and work through the root cause with a therapist. We are also working to grow and strengthen our mental health and self care program by networking with other businesses and organizations. What sets us apart from others is our mission. While there are other organizations that help with mental health for our heroes, on top of that we also are there to help our heroes in such a wide range of circumstances that they ordinarily wouldn’t have or expect someone to come alongside them and support them wether it be financially, emotionally, physically…whatever the need may be. We are here for our heroes 24/7, and thanks to our amazing sponsors and supporters we have been able to do so much! I am beyond blessed to be able witness firsthand what Defending Heroes Project is doing in the lives of our first responders and veterans! And remember this is just the start of what’s to come as we finished out our first year as an organization in September! If you’re a hero in need, go to our website or Facebook page. Reach out to us!! You are not alone! And we are so grateful for you!
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
I believe what helped Defending Heroes Project grow into what it has become is our mission itself and our commitment to it. Our mission is unique and something that is often overlooked as we don’t draw attention to our own needs or struggles. We are taught to shove it down, move on and get to the next call. We also don’t take time to self care, but instead it’s always I’m fine let me move on helping others. We are human just like anyone else, yet we see 700-800 more traumatic events during our career than most people see in a lifetime! This does affect us, and we must acknowledge that. Also what helped our organization grow is the personal experience of having gone through these experiences and struggles personally. I have been injured and off work both from on duty and off duty incidents. I have battled with mental health/PTSD. I have seen others that have as well. I have also lost heroes I know personally to tragedy, illness and from mental health struggles. I have also met so many amazing heroes this last year that have been through some unimaginable circumstances and tragedy. I’ve met walking miracles. And I’ve seen them have hope again, to get relief from struggles, or to even just know that they’re not in this alone. And I personally will be there for anyone that reaches out needing help no matter the perceived size of the situation. A struggle is a struggle, and you won’t fight it alone heroes! They get someone who gets it and who just desires nothing more than to be there for them however they need!
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
I told you previously the why I started Defending Heroes Project, The how was more of a challenge. As we all know, nobody gets into law enforcement for the money. But I was still determined to make my dream and passion into reality. I started my organization with what little funds I had. Thankfully for our very first event and fundraiser the amazing community here in Henderson KY really stepped up. There was practically no overhead costs and 100% of the proceeds of that event went to our hero in need. Our first fundraising event for Defending Heroes Project was just months into founding the organization. The 2023 Hometown Heroes Bash was held at the convention center in Owensboro KY. We sold out the venue! First ever event and we filled the venue with over 400+ people! The event was a huge success due to the amazing sponsors and supporters of our tri-state area helping to make it happen!! It was a night I’ll never forget! This event was also a great success due to my good friend and mentor, George Wooden, out of Maryland. George and his team at BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising did a phenomenal job! George also taught me so much that has helped me grow as an individual and as an organization. This event allowed us to do some really amazing mission work and grow our organization.
The 2024 Hometown Heroes Bash is scheduled for May 18, 2024 at the Owensboro Convention Center in Owensboro KY. Check it out on our website! This event will be even larger than last year. It will be the event of the year! Like nothing else the area has ever seen before! Don’t want to miss out!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.defendingheroesproject.org
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/defending_heroes_project?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/defendingheroesproject?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-whitledge-455b1627b?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app