We are a non-religious, non-profit 5013(c) organization that was formed by Family Community Church, a church of about 5,000 members located in south San Jose, CA.  After reading about the humanitarian crisis in Africa, our congregation felt a real tension inside us that we had to take action.  I mean, actually DO something.  Although we are a religious organization, we provide help and assistance to everyone, regardless of faith, creed or background.

To date, the Heroes Campaign has contributed almost $200,000 to projects in Worja - projects that have already made a significant impact.  But there is much more to do.

WHERE EXACTLY IS WORJA?

WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO...

Worja is a small, rural village of about 5,000 people, all of them farmers. 

Worja is located near the city of Zwai, which has about 80,000 people, and is one of the poorest cities in all of Ethiopia - which has more than 80 million people.

Ethiopia is the second most-populous country in Africa, but Ethiopia is 181th of 182 countries in the world in Gross Domestic Product - a widely-accepted indicator of a nation’s wealth.

This site is designed to give you information about how you can help and partner with us in 2008 and 2009.  It’s important work we’re attempting to do - and we can’t do it alone.  We’d encourage you to give.  It’s not often you get a chance to save someone’s life.  You have that chance today.  Literally.

To donate, just click wherever you see the Red Cross icon.

After three trips to Ethiopia and nearly two years of due diligence, the Heroes Campaign Leadership Team has developed a seven-year plan to accomplish two specific goals in Worja. 

WATER: Improve access to clean drinking water.

FOOD: Create a reliable and consistent food supply by implementing sustainable agricultural practices.

WHO WE ARE...

HOW YOU CAN BE A HERO

Some quick facts about THE HEROES CAMPAIGN, a non-religious 5013(c) non-profit created by Family Community Church for the purpose of bringing humanitarian aid to the people or Worja, Ethiopia.  If you have questions that are not raised in this page, please email dtieche@fccchurch.net.

Q: Tell me more about the parent organization that I’ll be donating to.

A: Family Community Church (FCC) is a non-demoninational Evangelical church in south San Jose, CA with approximately 5,000 attenders.   

Q: How is the money that is raised going to be used?

A: Our current focus is to bring water to Worja for crop irrigation so food can be grown and available year round, regardless of drought. 

Q: Where is the village of Worja, Ethiopia?

A: Worja, Ethiopia is located in the center of Ethiopia.  Click here to see a map.

Q: Why did The Heroes Campaign choose to help this particular village?

A: An exploratory team first traveled to Ethiopia in 2007. One of its destination points was a church in Genet, Ethiopia. The church leaders in Genet mentioned the needs of the people in Worja. The team that visited Worja and realized that the people of Silicon Valley could make a life-giving difference in the lives of the 5,000 people living in this village.

Q: Why was an agricultural project chosen as a priority? Why not drinking water or food?

A:  Since its first visit to Worja in 2007, The Heroes Campaign has provided increased access to drinking water, food and grain. Clean water and food are still critical needs. One step toward the survival of this community is to provide water to irrigate their fields so they can have access to food all year and not face starvation in the months when it doesn’t rain or if a drought occurs in the rainy months.

Q: Who is on the The Heroes Campaign Leadership Team and what do they do?

A: Currently the members are Pastor Mindy Scratch, Pastor Dave Tieche, Eric Malick, Jeff Popoff, Tammi Smorynski, Tammy Larson, Cynthia Haliasz and Bob Medal. The members bring a variety of skills and professional background to guide efforts in health care, education, finance, construction, technology, relationship building – and more!

Q: What kind of financial accountability does The Heroes Campaign adhere to, organizationally?

A: The Heroes Campaign voluntarily submits to the strictest financial accountability standards possible for non-profit entities.  The Heroes Campaign and its parent body - Family Community Church - undergo quarterly audits from an independent Certified Public Accountant.  Those reports are reviewed by not only the The Heroes Campaign Leadership Board, but also by officials from Bank of America to ensure accountability, accuracy and fidelity.

Q: If I choose to donate online, how will that work?

A: If you choose to donate, you will be directed to a site called “FirstGiving.”  Thousands of other non-profits outsource their transaction security to FirstGiving and it is their top priority to ensure that transaction data is kept secure at all times. 

Q: Is the donation tax deductible?

A: Yes. 

Q: How will I get my tax document?

A: Once you click on “DONATE NOW” on the FirstGiving page, you will be taken to a page where you can fill in your personal data and credit card information in order to donate.  Once you complete this, you will be directed to a “RECEIPT” page which outlines your personal information and your donation amount.  You can print this web page as a tax receipt for accounting purposes. NOTE: Please note that Easy Tithe is not an accounting, taxation or financial advisor, and you should not rely on information given on this site to determine the accounting, tax or financial consequences of making donations to nonprofit organization. We strongly recommend that you consult your own advisor(s) about any accounting, taxation or financial consequences that may affect you.

Q: What are some of the organizational beliefs of The Heroes Campaign?

A: You can click HERE to read about the principles that govern the work The Heroes Campaign is doing in Africa.  You can click HERE to read about the theological and doctrinal beliefs of FCC, our parent organization. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS....