The Fund
Giving Back: The Heart of My Hero
hero doll giveaway - april 5th
FUNDED! Thank you to our Generous Sponsors. You made April, Month of the Military Child, special for 25 families!
NEXT HERO DOLL GIVEAWAY
Donate & Register – Scroll Down to Bottom
December 6th, 2025
Marine Corps Recruiting Depot San Diego
Goal: $3,600 for 100 families
Raised: $495
My HERO
The Fund
From the very foundation of My Hero, giving back has been at the core of everything we do. The very first step we ever took was not to sell but to give. We donated our first book, Benny Backwards, to a family in need. That feeling of giving set the foundation for what My Hero would become. A company built on the belief that business should be a vehicle for giving, supporting, and uplifting others.
Business Backed Gift Giving
We do not just believe in selling products. We believe in creating gifts that matter. Our model is simple. Every purchase should lead to giving something back. Whether it is a doll that brings comfort to a child missing their parent, a book that connects families, or glasses that help a military child see the world more clearly, we are dedicated to making a real difference.
The My Hero Fund is a 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit in California, officially established to ensure these efforts continue.
Our Mission: Supporting Military Families
At MY HERO, our mission is rooted in supporting military families and ensuring that children of service members receive the resources they need. We are committed to donating a portion of sales from our MY HERO Collection to provide prescription glasses for military children not currently covered by TRICARE.
This cause is deeply personal to us. Our youngest son, Hayden, requires frequent prescription changes due to his correctable vision issues, and his glasses are even part of our logo—symbolizing our dedication to this effort.
How We Give Back
💙 The My Hero Fund – 5% of all MY HERO Collection sales will go directly toward purchasing prescription glasses for military children not covered by TRICARE.
💙 Hero Doll Giveaways – We are working to provide free My Hero Dolls to military families in need on a regular basis. While this initiative will not be fully funded by Umbo Innovations LLC, we are committed to making it possible by offering the dolls at extremely low costs to enable giveaways. We will also seek partnerships and collaborations to ensure that dolls are gifted to deployed military members, helping them stay connected with their families.
💙 Benny Backwards: A Story That Gives Back – Every dollar from Benny Backwards goes directly to Cannon Pavlus family until he is healed of cancer.
Join Us in This Mission
When you support My Hero, you are not just buying a product. You are becoming part of a movement. Whether it is by purchasing a copy of Benny Backwards, supporting the My Hero Collection, or simply sharing our story, you are helping military families in need.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
Matt and Jaclyn
Co-Founders, Umbo Innovations and My Hero Fund
Benny Backwards
IT ALL STARTED WITH A BOOK
After years at sea, Matt had just finished his sea duty when his oldest son, Mason, was learning to dress himself. Mason always put his clothes on backward, earning the nickname “Backwards Man.” Their playful moments sparked a tradition of making up silly stories together.
Matt had writing a book on his bucket list for years. After some inspiration from Mason, and with a little more time at home, he finally put pen to paper. The result was Benny Backwards, a whimsical tale about a guy who does everything in reverse. He eats breakfast for dinner and dinner for breakfast. His house has doors where windows should be and windows where doors should be.
But after finishing the book, Matt asked himself a simple question. Why would anyone read this book?
Around the same time, a close friend from the USS Theodore Roosevelt shared devastating news. His three-year-old son, Cannon, had been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. As parents of two young boys, Matt and Jaclyn couldn’t imagine the pain their friend’s family was enduring. That moment changed everything.
Matt made a decision. Benny Backwards would be more than just a book. It would be a way to help. He published it on Amazon KDP and dedicated all proceeds to support Cannon’s family during their fight.
The response was overwhelming. The book received praise, encouragement, and unexpected momentum. Inspired, Matt wrote My Daddy, My SWO, followed by My Mommy, My SWO, and an entire series of books that fueled his creativity and ultimately led to the creation of MY HERO.
That first book didn’t just launch a series. It laid the foundation for the MY HERO Project. From the very beginning, we knew we wanted to make a difference and one way we could do that was through corporate gift-giving, turning our mission into a reality that helps families in need.
Support Cannon with a Book
Thank you, Cannon, for your inspiration. You remain our hero.
If you’d like to support Cannon’s family, consider purchasing Benny Backwards today. The book became a Top Seller on Amazon with five-star reviews, but we prefer you purchase it through our website so that all proceeds can go directly to Cannon’s family. They are exactly where they need to be, by his side.
Donate to My Hero Fund
Support the MY HERO Fund – Make a Difference Today!
Your donation to the MY HERO Fund helps provide prescription glasses for military children not covered by insurance and supports initiatives that keep military families connected.
💙 Recognition: Every donor will have their name proudly featured on our Hero Page as a thank-you for supporting our mission.
🎁 Gift a Hero Doll:
If you'd like to purchase a MY HERO Doll for a military child, please send a quick note to support@umbobooks.com with your message. We will include your note and ensure it reaches a deployed family.
You may also choose to donate a MY HERO Doll to our Hero Fund Doll Giveaways, bringing joy to military children during special events.
Your generosity ensures that no hero’s child goes without the support they need. Thank you for making a difference! 🇺🇸
📢 Add your donation today and be a hero to those who serve!
Donate to My Hero Fund
Stay Connected with MY HERO!
Sign up for our email updates and be the first to know about upcoming events, exclusive offers, and the latest news on the MY HERO Collection! Don’t miss out on special promotions and heartwarming stories that keep families connected—no matter the distance.
Next Event: December 6, 2025
Location: Marine Corps Recruit Depot
San Diego, CAL
Next Hero Doll Giveaway for Deployed Families is in December. Registration does not gurantee a spot in the giveaway. We choose selection based on first sign ups and confirmation of attendance.
My Hero Fund donors
Donors
Pathway Mortgage, Sarasota
JoAnne Hann, San Diego
Amalfi Llama, San Diego
