Just Our Soldiers Helpers Inc

Bringing Smiles to Our Deployed Heroes' One Care Package at a Time

aka J.O.S.H. or JOSH | Lake Mary, FL | https://justoursoldiershelpers.org

GuideStar Charity Check

EIN: 45-2156711

Contributions tax deductible
as of September 2023

IRS BMF 509(a)(1)
as of September 18, 2023

View summary

Charity Check report

Mission

The mission of Just Our Soldiers' Helpers (JOSH), is to increase the morale of deployed U.S. service members from all branches of the military. We do this by providing to them care packages containing name brand items that are not readily available during deployment.

Notes from the nonprofit

Just Our Soldiers' Helpers Inc. is an all volunteer organization. Since 2011 we have shipped over 173,000 pounds of products to deployed US service members. Just Our Soldiers' Helpers Inc. views every care package as a gift to show our love and appreciation to service members for the sacrifices they make for our country. We show this appreciation by only shipping full size, name brand products. We do not ship hotel, travel, or sample size items or generic items. We ship items we would want to receive if we were thousands of miles from home.

Ruling year info

2011

Founder

Kathy Hewitt

Main address

P.O. Box 954031

Lake Mary, FL 32795 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

45-2156711

Subject area info

Philanthropy

Gift distribution

Population served info

Military personnel

Veterans

NTEE code info

Philanthropy / Charity / Voluntarism Promotion (General) (T50)

Gift Distribution (P58)

IRS subsection

501(c)(3) Public Charity

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

Tax forms

Show Forms 990

Communication

Programs and results

Reports and documents

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

There are still many members of the US Military who are deployed to remote overseas locations. Just Our Soldiers' Helpers strives to find those who do not have a PX/BX (store) at which they can purchase hygiene items or snacks. Many have a PX/BX but supplies are limited. Just Our Soldiers' Helpers seeks to support those who are in the most remote areas that have those limited resources. We provide to them, free of charge, the same name brand items they would would be using if they were back home in the USA.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

Care Packages for Deployed Soldiers

Just Our Soldiers' Helpers Inc. (J.O.S.H.) has an ongoing program of preparing and shipping care packages to all branches of the U.S. Military. Our primary focus is on supporting troops who have no PX or a limited PX at which they can purchase necessities. We also support troops who would not otherwise receive mail from home.

Population(s) Served

Military personnel

Veterans

Where we work

Awards

Seven Seals Award 2016

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

Not-for-Profit Business of the Year 2017

The Greater Sanford Regional Chamber of Commerce

External reviews

Photos

Videos

Our results

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.

Number of care packages delivered

Totals By Year

Population(s) Served

Military personnel

Related Program

Care Packages for Deployed Soldiers

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

We have progressively been able to increase our care package count each year. The pandemic caused the cancellation of many fundraisers in 2020 and 2021 and negatively impacted program capacity.

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

What is the organization aiming to accomplish?

Our goals are very simple. We want to encourage as many members of the U.S. Military as we possibly can. Our success is measured by photos and emails we receive from the recipients of our care packages.

We strive to support U.S. Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, Sailors, and Guardsmen who are deployed to locations that make it difficult for them to purchase every day items such as body wash, shampoo, lotions, deodorant, etc. We also send snacks such as protein bars, granola bars, oatmeal, canned soups/fruits, coffee, creamer, and the like.

We also try to locate Soldiers who do not receive mail or care packages from home. We do not want any deployed Service Member to feel he or she has been forgotten by those back home in the United States.

What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?

Just Our Soldiers' Helpers strives to find the deployed troops who are most in need of our support. Service members from all branches are encouraged to register for care packages via our website at http://www.justoursoldiershelpers.org. We also reach out to deployed Chaplains as they are often aware of the military units that are located in the most desolate areas.

What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?

Just Our Soldiers' Helpers regularly assesses the amount we anticipate receiving via supporter donations and fundraising efforts. We then project how many Soldiers we believe we will be able to support during that calendar year.

As we have grown, we have been able to reach more organizations that are willing to help by hosting fundraising events to help with our mission of supporting our troops. This has increased our effectiveness and our ability to support more troops.

What have they accomplished so far and what's next?

The evidence of our progress has been seen in the number of photos we have received from the troops and units we support. We receive many thank you letters and emails of appreciation from our deployed heroes. Since we were founded, we have shipped approximately 131,000 pounds of food and hygiene items to our deployed service members.

How we listen

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.

We demonstrated a willingness to learn more by reviewing resources about feedback practice.

We shared information about our current feedback practices.

How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?

To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?

We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We act on the feedback we receive
What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?

Deployed Service Members do not always have good access to email.

Financials

Just Our Soldiers Helpers Inc

Fiscal year: Jan 01 - Dec 31

Revenue vs. expenses: breakdown

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

NET GAIN/LOSS: in

Note: When component data are not available, the graph displays the total Revenue and/or Expense values.

Financial data

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

Digitizing IRS form 990 data

Just Our Soldiers Helpers Inc

Revenue & expenses

Fiscal Year: Jan 01 - Dec 31

SOURCE: IRS Form 990 info

Fiscal year ending: Download Data

Revenue
Contributions	$61,614
Program Services	$0
Investments	$0
Special Events	$3,866
Sales	$431
Other	$3
Total Revenue	$65,914

Expenses
Grants	$40,104
Salaries & Employee Benefits	$0
Professional Fees	$0
Occupancy	$0
Printing, Publications, Postage, etc.	$651
Other Expenses	$19,602
Total Expenses	$60,357
Net Gain/Loss	$5,557

Revenue
Contributions	$98,660
Program Services	$0
Investments	$0
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$101,750

Expenses
Grants	$0
Salaries & Employee Benefits	$0
Professional Fees	$324
Occupancy	$0
Printing, Publications, Postage, etc.	$1,000
Other Expenses	$86,373
Total Expenses	$87,697
Net Gain/Loss	$14,053

Revenue
Contributions	$115,730
Program Services	$0
Investments	$0
Special Events	$65,694
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$181,424

Expenses
Grants	$0
Salaries & Employee Benefits	$0
Professional Fees	$409
Occupancy	$0
Printing, Publications, Postage, etc.	$511
Other Expenses	$133,778
Total Expenses	$134,698
Net Gain/Loss	$46,726

Revenue
Contributions	$61,243
Program Services	$0
Investments	$0
Special Events	$59,862
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$121,105

Expenses
Grants	$0
Salaries & Employee Benefits	$0
Professional Fees	$0
Occupancy	$0
Printing, Publications, Postage, etc.	$129
Other Expenses	$136,239
Total Expenses	$136,368
Net Gain/Loss	($15,263)

Revenue
Contributions	$93,484
Program Services	$0
Investments	$0
Special Events	$75,531
Sales	$0
Other	$1,517
Total Revenue	$170,532

Expenses
Grants	$0
Salaries & Employee Benefits	$0
Professional Fees	$0
Occupancy	$0
Printing, Publications, Postage, etc.	$475
Other Expenses	$131,959
Total Expenses	$132,434
Net Gain/Loss	$38,098

Revenue
Contributions	$82,985
Program Services	$0
Investments	$0
Special Events	$82,797
Sales	$0
Other	$1,516
Total Revenue	$167,298

Expenses
Grants	$0
Salaries & Employee Benefits	$0
Professional Fees	$0
Occupancy	$8,292
Printing, Publications, Postage, etc.	$607
Other Expenses	$156,906
Total Expenses	$165,805
Net Gain/Loss	$1,493

Just Our Soldiers Helpers Inc

Balance sheet

Fiscal Year: Jan 01 - Dec 31

SOURCE: IRS Form 990 info

The balance sheet gives a snapshot of the financial health of an organization at a particular point in time. An organization's total assets should generally exceed its total liabilities, or it cannot survive long, but the types of assets and liabilities must also be considered. For instance, an organization's current assets (cash, receivables, securities, etc.) should be sufficient to cover its current liabilities (payables, deferred revenue, current year loan, and note payments). Otherwise, the organization may face solvency problems. On the other hand, an organization whose cash and equivalents greatly exceed its current liabilities might not be putting its money to best use.

Fiscal year ending: Download Data

Assets	Jan 01, 2017	Dec 31, 2017	Change
Contributions	$61,614
Cash & Equivalents	$14,403	$17,603	$3,200
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$0	$0	$0
Other	$0	$0	$0
Total Assets	$14,403	$17,603	$3,200

Liabilities	Jan 01, 2017	Dec 31, 2017	Change
Total Liabilities	$5,531	$3,174	($2,357)

Fund balance	Jan 01, 2017	Dec 31, 2017	Change
Net Assets	$8,872	$14,429	$5,557

Assets	Jan 01, 2018	Dec 31, 2018	Change
Contributions	$98,660
Cash & Equivalents	$17,603	$34,430	$16,827
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$0	$0	$0
Other	$0	$0	$0
Total Assets	$17,603	$34,430	$16,827

Liabilities	Jan 01, 2018	Dec 31, 2018	Change
Total Liabilities	$3,174	$4,687	$1,513

Fund balance	Jan 01, 2018	Dec 31, 2018	Change
Net Assets	$14,429	$29,743	$15,314

Assets	Jan 01, 2019	Dec 31, 2019	Change
Contributions	$115,730
Cash & Equivalents	$34,430	$75,427	$40,997
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$0	$0	$0
Other	$0	$1,468	$1,468
Total Assets	$34,430	$76,895	$42,465

Liabilities	Jan 01, 2019	Dec 31, 2019	Change
Total Liabilities	$4,687	$426	($4,261)

Fund balance	Jan 01, 2019	Dec 31, 2019	Change
Net Assets	$29,743	$76,469	$46,726

Assets	Jan 01, 2020	Dec 31, 2020	Change
Contributions	$61,243
Cash & Equivalents	$75,427	$60,704	($14,723)
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$0	$0	$0
Other	$1,468	$1,250	($218)
Total Assets	$76,895	$61,954	($14,941)

Liabilities	Jan 01, 2020	Dec 31, 2020	Change
Total Liabilities	$426	$1,174	$748

Fund balance	Jan 01, 2020	Dec 31, 2020	Change
Net Assets	$76,469	$60,780	($15,689)

Assets	Jan 01, 2021	Dec 31, 2021	Change
Contributions	$93,484
Cash & Equivalents	$60,704	$95,747	$35,043
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$0	$0	$0
Other	$1,250	$4,247	$2,997
Total Assets	$61,954	$99,994	$38,040

Liabilities	Jan 01, 2021	Dec 31, 2021	Change
Total Liabilities	$1,174	$1,158	($16)

Fund balance	Jan 01, 2021	Dec 31, 2021	Change
Net Assets	$60,780	$98,836	$38,056

Assets	Jan 01, 2022	Dec 31, 2022	Change
Contributions	$82,985
Cash & Equivalents	$95,747	$100,242	$4,495
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$0	$0	$0
Other	$4,247	$3,787	($460)
Total Assets	$99,994	$104,029	$4,035

Liabilities	Jan 01, 2022	Dec 31, 2022	Change
Total Liabilities	$1,158	$3,700	$2,542

Fund balance	Jan 01, 2022	Dec 31, 2022	Change
Net Assets	$98,836	$100,329	$1,493

Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

Documents

Letter of Determination

Form 1023/1024 is not available for this organization

Founder

Kathy Hewitt

Just Our Soldiers Helpers Inc

Officers, directors, trustees, and key employees

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

Compensation

Other

Show data for fiscal year

Compensation data

Download up to 5 most recent years of officer and director compensation data for this organization

There are no highest paid employees recorded for this organization.

Just Our Soldiers Helpers Inc

Board of directors
as of 03/21/2023

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Board of directors data

Download the most recent year of board of directors data for this organization

Board co-chair

Dennis Hewitt

Board co-chair

Edward Higgins

Marla Ariotti

Director

Scott Ariotti

Secretary

Kathy Hewitt

Director

Anne Hedberg

Director

Jean Mactye

Director

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? No
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 7/19/2022

Candid has made improvements to the race and ethnicity options.

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity

White/Caucasian/European

Gender identity

Female, Not transgender (cisgender)

Sexual orientation

Heterosexual or straight

Disability status

Person without a disability

Just Our Soldiers Helpers Inc

Bringing Smiles to Our Deployed Heroes' One Care Package at a Time

Mission

Is this your nonprofit?

Programs and results

Reports and documents

What we aim to solve

Our programs

Care Packages for Deployed Soldiers

Where we work

Awards

Our results

Evaluation documents

Number of care packages delivered

Totals By Year

Population(s) Served

Related Program

Type of Metric

Direction of Success

Context Notes

Goals & Strategy

Charting impact

What is the organization aiming to accomplish?

What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?

What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?

What have they accomplished so far and what's next?

How we listen

Financials

Revenue vs. expenses: breakdown

Financial data

Digitizing IRS form 990 data

Just Our Soldiers Helpers Inc

Just Our Soldiers Helpers Inc

Operations

Documents

Founder

Kathy Hewitt

Just Our Soldiers Helpers Inc

Compensation data

Just Our Soldiers Helpers Inc

Board of directors data

Dennis Hewitt

Edward Higgins

Board leadership practices

Board orientation and education

CEO oversight

Ethics and transparency

Board composition

Board performance

Organizational demographics

Leadership

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

Sexual orientation

Disability