The National Hero Advocacy Fund: Investing in the Future of Rescue

At the Larry Pickett Foundation, our mission is “Full-Circle.” We believe that a community’s gratitude for a life-saving act should do more than just resolve a single crisis—it should build a permanent legacy of safety.

The National Hero Advocacy Fund is the engine of our community reinvestment. By reallocating surplus resources from our individual campaigns, we procure the specialized, life-saving equipment first responders need to protect our neighborhoods and enhance the success of every future intervention.

How the Advocacy Fund Works

We ensure that every dollar donated in honor of a hero or survivor reaches its maximum potential. The fund is sustained through a strategic reallocation process:

• Campaign Surpluses: When a community rallies around a hero and raises more than is required for their immediate stabilization and recovery, those surplus funds are moved into the Advocacy Fund.

• Legacy Earmarks: If funds from a National Hero Legacy Scholarship remain unused by the beneficiary’s 26th birthday, those resources are also reallocated to this fund.

• Direct Reinvestment: These resources are then used to purchase vital equipment for the specific first responder districts where the original rescues occurred.

Equipping Our Future Heroes

Modern life-saving requires modern tools. Many local districts face budget gaps that prevent them from acquiring the latest technology. We bridge that gap by procuring:

• Examples of specialized equipment we provide include:

  • Mechanical CPR Systems: Devices like the LUCAS Chest Compression System deliver consistent, high-quality compressions during transport, freeing up first responders to focus on other critical patient needs.

  • Cardiac Intervention Tools: Increasing the availability of AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) in patrol cars and public spaces to combat sudden cardiac arrest.

  • Advanced Trauma Support: Providing Bleeding Control Kits and medical supplies designed to stabilize patients during the “Golden Hour.”

  • Specialized Rescue Gear: Upgrading the Extraction Tools fire departments rely on to safely and quickly remove victims from vehicle wrecks.

Custom Solutions for Local Needs

While the items above are critical, we know that every district faces different challenges. Our board remains flexible to ensure we are meeting the actual needs of the community. Whether a district requires thermal imaging cameras for fire search, specialized water rescue gear, or advanced communications tech, the Advocacy Fund is designed to procure the specific life-saving equipment identified by the professionals on the ground.

The “Full-Circle” Legacy

When we deliver equipment to a fire station or police department, we do so in the name of the hero or survivor who inspired the original campaign. This creates a powerful cycle of protection:

1. The Rescue: A hero saves a life or a survivor overcomes a tragedy.

2. The Campaign: The community provides tax-deductible support through our Foundation.

3. The Restoration: The individual’s financial hurdles—like deductibles and lost wages—are resolved.

4. The Reinvestment: Surplus funds are used to buy equipment that helps the next first responder save the next life.

A Professional, Tax-Advantaged Gift

Because the Larry Pickett Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, every contribution made to our campaigns—including the portion that eventually supports the Advocacy Fund—is 100% tax-deductible.

This allows friends, family, and local employers to give generously, knowing their support not only restores a family today but equips a hero for tomorrow.