The Community Impact Award, funded by the Lockton family, recognizes Associates who exceed expectations in improving their communities through volunteerism and philanthropy. This recognition enables each award recipient to direct a $25,000 donation to a charity of their choice. Sherri Harrison earned this recognition for her work with Operation Help a Hero (OHH), a nonprofit organization providing support to military families.

Sherri's journey with Operation Help a Hero (OHH) began with a simple Google search. As the spouse of an active-duty Navy SEAL for the past 28 years, she has experienced firsthand the emotional challenges that come with military life. Always looking for ways to support other military families, Sherri brought that passion with her when she joined Lockton. Wanting to find a cause her new team could rally behind, she discovered Operation Help a Hero, which was a perfect fit for both her values and the team.

Operation Help a Hero is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting American military members and their families as they prepare for separation, endure the challenges of deployment, and transition back to the U.S. The organization began as a grassroots Marine Ministries and Pen Pal group shortly after the September 11, 2001, attacks. It was founded by Cindy Farnum, who was inspired after a special event at her school. At the time, she had her middle school students welcome local Marines to the school for a Veterans' Day celebration. Over the past 24 years, the organization has evolved into a valuable resource for military families nationwide.

After over three years of volunteering and fundraising for OHH, Sherri and the Lockton Southern California team have made a significant difference in the lives of military families across California, specifically through Operation Christmas Spirit, where Lockton Associates come together during the holiday season to buy gifts, gift cards, toys, and other needs of the families and wrap them. Over the years, the event has brought the Lockton San Diego/Irvine and Los Angeles teams together to collaborate on wrapping and delivering these holiday gifts.

Often, families with members in the military on deployment are unable to celebrate holidays or milestones with their loved ones. This is why Sherri chose OHH to be the beneficiary of Lockton's Community Impact Award. "I experienced that myself," Sherri said. "Having two boys and with my husband on deployment over the years, I can relate to the emotional experience of worrying about my loved ones. I am aware of the need for support. I am so grateful to Lockton. It is an honor for me and an impact for OHH."

Since 2022, when Sherri first introduced OHH initiatives at Lockton, Associates have raised a total of $22,110 to support nine military families through the Operation Christmas Spirit program. And each year, these family adoptions from Lockton Associates increase. In 2024, Sherri organized a full adoption of four families across California and raised a total of $12,900 to help with various challenges the families were facing.

"Lockton and its Associates and Producers have been so generous over the years. Their generosity is why we have been able to increase the number of families that we have been able to adopt each year," Sherri said.

Cindy Farnum, Director of OHH, said that because of both Sherri and Associates here at Lockton, support for military families through OHH is growing: "It is a huge undertaking. When Sherri reaches out to help families, I will sometimes ask if we can give her a larger family, and she always says yes. I know I can always reach out to her. One thing about Sherri is that she is always flexible and willing to offer her help when it is needed."

Although Sherri's community impact through OHH has already helped many military families in a profoundly positive way, she said that she wants to continue expanding this support. "I'm hoping within Lockton, it continues to grow," she said. "We have incredible people at Lockton, and there is something to be said when we all come together to help others. That was something I saw when I first joined Lockton -- not just the willingness to help others, but how it also brings our teams together."

Not only will Lockton's donation help support Operation Christmas Spirit this year, but the organization also plans to use the donation to help support Operation Rack Pack. In this barracks project, volunteers will clean barracks rooms, hang welcome posters, fill fridges with drinks and food, and leave welcome home packages for Marines returning from deployment this fall.

"The $25,000 Sherri earned through her hard work is game-changing for us. We will serve over 1,000 single Marines and sailors returning from deployment, 10 families through Operation Christmas Spirit, and 10 families in crisis. We sincerely appreciate the help. Thank you to Sherri and everybody at Lockton because we cannot do this without you," Cindy said.

Thank you, Sherri, for your dedication to making a positive impact in your community!