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Mars Hero Fund
About2025-12-20T09:38:47-06:00

About

About

Military Family

Mars Hero Fund

Our Mission

At the Mars Hero Fund, we’re dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those who safeguard our Nation. The Mars Hero Fund is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit charitable corporation that honors and supports United States veterans, active and reserve military, as well as first responders and their families. Since 2013, our mission remains steadfast in exploring and funding participation in activities for the betterment of our beneficiaries, who work tirelessly for the public good and safety of the USA and its citizens. Our initial outreach has primarily been in Louisiana, and we’re excited to expand regionally with the help from our gracious donors.

Our American hero beneficiaries and families include:

  • Veterans, Active and Reserve Military

  • Purple Heart Recipients, Gold Star Families

  • First Responders including Police, Fire, EMT, 911 Call Center Representatives

Mars Hero Fund

Our History

In 2013, a community of Louisiana veterans launched the Legion of Mars (LOM), a vibrant Mardi Gras krewe devoted to celebrating the sacrifices and contributions of Louisiana’s veterans, active and reserve military members, and their families. Since its inception, the LOM has been a beacon of gratitude, honoring Purple Heart recipients and Gold Star families by inviting them to the LOM Grand Ball and offering them complimentary rides in the LOM Parade. To support this noble cause, the Purple Heart Fund was created, gathering donations to ensure these heroes are celebrated.

Over the years, the LOM’s mission expanded to embrace first responders, who tirelessly safeguard our communities. As the vision grew beyond the Purple Heart Fund, we established the Mars Hero Fund, which was officially incorporated as a Louisiana non-profit organization in August 2023.

Learn more2024-09-25T12:31:08-05:00

Since the inception of the LOM, our dedicated members have passionately undertaken a myriad of activities to fulfill the Mars Hero Fund’s mission. These endeavors include:

  • Funding Purple Heart veterans to ride in the LOM parade and attend the LOM ball.
  • Funding Gold Star families to attend the LOM ball.
  • Funding first responders and their families to ride in the LOM parade and attend the LOM ball.
  • For many years, assisting the National Park Service in planting and recovering flags on graves in the Chalmette National Cemetery.
  • Feeding National Guard members who were called up for the Baton Rouge flooding disaster in 2016.
  • Providing care packages to National Guard members who were activated for Hurricane Ida relief efforts.
  • For many years, helping feed veterans at the VA Hospital on Veterans Day.
  • Volunteering to help with the Annual Wheelchair games held at the VA.
  • Helping to clean up Louisiana waterways and wildlife preserves.
American Flags

Mars Hero Fund

Our Board Members

Devoted to our mission of driving impactful initiatives, celebrating our American heroes, and fostering a culture of collaboration and support, to make a positive difference in the lives of those who protect and serve our Country.

Mike Turner
President

Captain Mike Turner, Supply Corps, US Navy (Retired)

Learn more2024-09-25T12:30:28-05:00

Captain Mike Turner (William Michael Turner) is a product of De La Salle High School in New Orleans, LA and a graduate of Tulane University, receiving a B.A. in Modern European History. Upon graduation, Turner was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve. During his active duty, he completed the Basic Qualification Course for the Navy Supply Corps.  Turner had various deployments during his Navy career including Operation Desert Storm/Shield, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

He is Founder of W. M. Turner Consulting, focusing his civilian career in material management, business operations and the Incident Command System within a myriad of local businesses and global corporations.

Turner attained the rank of Captain (O6), Supply Corps in 2000. That same year he graduated from U.S. Naval War College, Non-Resident Program, completing Joint Professional Military Education Phase 1.

He is heavily involved in the New Orleans non-profit community currently serving in leadership positions in the Japan Society of New Orleans, Japanese Garden Foundation, Mars Hero Fund, Legion of Mars Mardi Gras krewe and New Orleans Power Squadron.  His highest military award is the Legion of Merit and his highest civilian award is the Order of the Rising Sun with Gold & Silver Rays, awarded by the Emperor of Japan.

Tim Huete
Secretary

Lieutenant Colonel Tim Huete, US Marine Corps (Retired)

Learn more2024-09-18T10:16:58-05:00

Lieutenant Colonel (LtCol) Tim Huete is a native New Orleanian. He attended Jesuit High School and then Tulane University on a Navy ROTC scholarship. He earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and upon graduation, was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps.

During his Marine Corps career, he served as an Infantry Officer and a Logistics Officer in a variety of command and staff billets. Retiring after twenty-two years of active service, LtCol Huete accepted the position of Senior Marine Instructor for the Marine Corps Junior Navy ROTC Program at his old alma mater, Jesuit High School.  After eighteen years of teaching at Jesuit, LtCol Huete retired from his second career in 2019.

Since then, LtCol Huete has been active in various civic and carnival organizations, serving as a Board Member in the Tulane Navy ROTC Alumni Association, the Navy League, the Mars Hero Fund and the Legion of Mars.  He is also a member of several Mardi Gras krewes and other clubs in the New Orleans area.

Dann Cahoon
Treasurer

Dann Cahoon, Chief Executive Officer, Rault Resources Group

Learn more2024-09-18T10:20:03-05:00

Dann Cahoon is a life-long resident of Louisiana and graduated from Isidore Newman School in 1997. He then attended Hampden-Sydney College receiving a B.S. in Psychology and an M.B.A. in Finance from The University of New Orleans. After spending a few years with New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity in multiple capacities including Director of Construction Projects, he joined the Rault Resources Group where he serves as Chief Executive Officer.

Cahoon is also active in civic and non-profit arenas.  He is a member of the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce and the Jefferson Business Council, and has served on several non-profit boards including New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity.

Dr. Neil Jolly, MD
At Large

Dr. Neil Jolly, MD

Learn More2025-12-20T09:38:18-06:00

Dr. Jolly is a nationally recognized, double-board-certified anesthesiologist and interventional pain physician. Following his training at Yale, Wake Forest, and the University of Texas, he became President and CEO of Louisiana Pain Specialists, building one of the region’s leading pain practices. He led the first private-equity–backed exit of an independent pain practice in the region, partnering LPS with Resolve Pain Solutions, where he now serves as Regional Medical Director overseeing 30+ clinic and facilities. In 2018, he also grew Crescent View Surgery Center and partnered and sold the center to Bain Capital–backed Surgery Partners, headquartered in Nashville.

Dr. Jolly serves as Medical Director of Crescent View Surgery Center and Medical Director of Pain Management at New Orleans East Hospital. He has consulted for Fortune 500 companies in neuromodulation, collaborated with the DEA and the Attorney General’s Office during the opioid crisis, and helped advance opioid-reducing strategies nationwide. His clinical work includes developing innovative protocols for complex conditions, including Long COVID-related symptoms and severe anxiety.

Deeply committed to service beyond medicine, Dr. Jolly serves on the Regional Executive Board of the American Cancer Society, the New Orleans Ballet Association, and the Split Second Foundation, among other organizations. He was named American Cancer Society Cure Champion of the Year in 2023, and in 2024 he and his wife, Rena, co-chaired the organization’s highest-grossing gala in history. Within the Legion of Mars, he founded the Healthcare Heroes Float to honor veterans, first responders, healthcare professionals, and the patients they serve. He lives in Uptown New Orleans with his wife Rena and their two daughters, Maya and Sona.

Your Donation Matters

Give With Heart

Give With Heart

We are deeply grateful for any and all means of generosity. Your donation will fund resources and activities honoring our heroes who defend and support our Country and communities.

Mars Hero Fund

Mars Hero Fund is a Louisiana Non-Profit Corporation and is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization as of August, 2023.

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Board Members

President: Captain Mike Turner, Supply Corps, US Navy (Retired)

Secretary: Lieutenant Colonel Tim Huete, US Marine Corps (Retired)

Treasurer: Dann Cahoon, Chief Executive Officer, Rault Resources Group

At Large: Dr. Neil Jolly, MD, President & Chief Executive Officer, Louisiana Pain Specialists

Contact Us

Mars Hero Fund
400 E. Kaliste Saloom Rd., Ste. 1600
Lafayette, LA 70508

marsherofund@gmail.com

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