After working with another program for a couple of years the founders of Heroes Haven, a group of people from the Sharptown, Maryland area, felt they could give more to the wounded warriors by creating a separate program. In 2012 it began with a 4-day program in October for the muzzle loader deer hunting season. Heroes were transported from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to the Eastern Shore of Maryland for a hunting experience and some Good Ole Eastern Shore Hospitality. Heroes were placed in local homes for a family experience. Community meals each day and a Banquet at the end of the weekend gave the Heroes a real hometown experience.

After a couple of years, with a dwindling population at Walter Reed and an increasing number of injured law enforcement officers, the Heroes Haven Committee decided to expand the program to include injured police, EMS and firefighters. And as the Heroes Haven community expanded, so did the opportunities available to the Heroes. Local landowners began to offer wildfowl hunts, watermen offered fishing and crabbing trips, and a local businessman offered once-in-a-lifetime NASCAR experiences at the spring and fall races at Dover International Speedway.

Of course, the Heroes Haven committee had to find a way to finance these opportunities. It started with the Annual Cash Bash and Crab Feast. Then came the Annual Rubber Duck Race on the Nanticoke River. They have also added an annual Golf Tournament. Local businesses and organizations have also chipped in with various fundraisers.

In 2016, Ray Edwards, Jr., the first president and a founding member of Heroes Haven became the Maryland state commander of the Sons of the American Legion. His commander’s project was to raise money for a van to be used for the many Heroes Haven projects and to transport Heroes to doctor appointments, etc.

As Heroes Haven continued to grow and gained greater recognition, the committee also expanded from its original 11 members. The Heroes Haven committee now consists of an 11 member Board of Directors along with 25 general members, and many more volunteers.

The committee judges its success by the great number of Heroes that return for Heroes Haven week each year in October, for other sporting opportunities, and to help with fundraisers throughout the year.