Sweetening the Mission: SweetE Gifts & H.E.R.O.E.S.
My son, Wyatt, has spent two summers at H.E.R.O.E.S. camp now, so when the chance came to support them a different way, I didn't think twice.
H.E.R.O.E.S. stands for Helping Everyone Reach Outstanding Educational Success. It started in 2005 as a single weeklong day camp with five students, in partnership with a church in Richardson. Today it serves 500–600 families across the Dallas metroplex, supporting people with different abilities from age three through adulthood.
They don't turn anyone away — not for medical needs, behavioral challenges, financial status, or age. That shows up in everything they run: day programs, continuing education classes, weekend retreats, in-home training, parent and sibling support, and the H.E.R.O.E.S. Academy for young adults building independence.
Summer Camp, Through Our Eyes
The program closest to our hearts is the summer camp. Day Programs run six weeks every summer (plus shorter sessions over winter and spring break), staffed by certified educators, instructional assistants, and trained volunteers.
This was Wyatt's second summer at H.E.R.O.E.S. camp, and he had a blast — bowling with friends, cooling off at the water park, always doing something new.
There's something reassuring about handing your kid over to a team that treats him the way you would. H.E.R.O.E.S. gives kids like Wyatt a place to belong, and gives us a little peace of mind.
SweetE Gifts at the H.E.R.O.E.S. Gala
Since H.E.R.O.E.S. has given us so much, we wanted to give something back. SweetE Gifts donated a full custom candy bar for their recent annual Gala — bright, colorful, made to be as fun to look at as it was to eat.
It was a hit. With over 450 guests there, one attendee said "the candy bar was the highlight," and the word going around was that "everyone is raving about it."
H.E.R.O.E.S. sent us a note afterward that we're still smiling about:
"All of the goodies were enjoyed by over 450 people and they all loved it! H.E.R.O.E.S. is so thankful for your generous donation and can't wait for our next event together!"
That's the kind of feedback that makes it easy to keep saying yes. SweetE Gifts started as a way to make custom candy gifts for celebrations big and small, and partnering with H.E.R.O.E.S. was a good reminder of what that can be used for.
Get Involved
All HEROES Deserve Something SweetE
If H.E.R.O.E.S.'s mission speaks to you, there are plenty of ways to help — volunteering, donating, or just spreading the word. Learn more at heroesdfw.org.
And if you're planning an event of your own — a gala, a fundraiser, a celebration for a cause you care about — we'd love to help make it sweeter. Reach out to SweetE Gifts about custom candy bars, favor boxes, and bulk gifting for your next big day.