By Adam Hocking

Editor

MARSHFIELD — Central Wisconsin’s Harmony for Heroes is a new non-profit organization in Marshfield whose mission is to help connect those that have served their country with the resources they need.

The organization does not work just with military veterans but also those that have served in police and fire departments as well as emergency medical technicians. Founded in August of 2014, the organization is working to get established in the community.

Mary Hamann, president of Central Wisconsin’s Harmony for Heroes, said the mission of the organization is to educate heroes and their families about the resources that exist to help them when they confront a problem related to the line of duty. Whether it is a prohibitive medical expense or assistance with mental health issues, Harmony for Heroes wants to help those that have sacrificed for the greater good.

“We decided to incorporate all of our heroes and not just the military,” Hamann said. “We need to educate all of our (heroes) that there’s help for them.”

Hamann said that commonly service men and women are honored in times of tragedy, but their sacrifices can be forgotten when their work is not at the forefront of the public consciousness. She added that the emotional needs of people in these lines of work can be overlooked.

“Sometimes when there’s a tragedy, they have an outpouring (of support), but yet they don’t also have the emotional help that is out there,” Hamann said. “We see the visible wounds, but there are so many emotional (wounds).”

The kickoff event for Central Wisconsin’s Harmony for Heroes will be a breakfast open to the public on Sunday, Dec. 7 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 400 W. Upham St. in Marshfield. Eggs, hash browns, ham, sausage, toast, pancakes, cinnamon rolls, milk, juice, and coffee will make for a full buffet.

The cost of the breakfast is $7.50 for adults, $4.50 for children ages 5-10, and free for children younger than 5. Santa Claus will be at the breakfast for children to visit with from 9-11 a.m. There will also be raffles with chances for attendees to win prizes. Funds raised at the breakfast will go to startup costs for Central Wisconsin’s Harmony for Heroes.

To contact Central Wisconsin’s Harmony for Heroes, call 715-207-1476 or email cwharmonyforheroes@gmail.com. Donations to the organization can be mailed to 1122 E. McMillan St., Marshfield, WI 54449. You can also visit the organization’s Facebook page by searching “CW Harmony for Heroes.”