Our Story
Highly Skilled At Helping
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The Thank A Firefighter Initiative
When wildfires tore through Australia and California, four siblings and Helping Ninjas — Leo, Layla, Sawyer, and Skyler — knew they had to do something. Moved by the bravery of the firefighters risking their lives to protect communities, they launched the Thank A Firefighter initiative to bring awareness to the service, dedication, and sacrifice of firefighters across the globe.
They gathered their friends to join their ninja mission: thank firefighters. The first kick-off event was held at Ninja Zone, where kids came together to create thank you cards, show off their best floss dance moves, and celebrate the heroes fighting those fires. The #Floss4Firefighters challenge was a fun, shareable way for youth everywhere to say thank you.
Join our movement engaging families, schools, youth organizations, and businesses — all united around honoring the firefighters who protect our communities every day.
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Honoring the service, dedication and sacrifice of firefighters is something we all can do. Every hero deserves a thank you.
— Leo Berry, Helping Ninjas Founder & President
A Word From Our Community
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I think everyone should be a Helping Ninja and thank a firefighter in some way.
— Karoline, Helping Ninjas Community Member, Nashville, TN
Stories like Karoline's remind us why this mission matters. When young people take ownership of gratitude, it spreads — through schools, families, and communities.
Helping Ninjas Honorary Member Spotlight
Read the Honorary Member Spotlight →What We Stand For
Our Values
Gratitude
We believe expressing thanks is a skill — one that must be taught, practiced, and celebrated. Gratitude changes both the giver and the receiver.
Community
Firefighters protect our neighborhoods. We believe communities should rally around them — not just in crisis, but every day.
Youth Empowerment
Kids have the power to make a difference. We give them the tools, the mission, and the platform to act on that power.
Service
We lead by example — showing up, delivering cards, and doing the work that makes firefighters feel seen and appreciated.
Did You Know?
Hot Yoga Can Help Firefighters Heal
Aaron Gerth, a firefighter from Indianapolis, returned to full firefighter duty in just 3 months and 14 days — when his surgeon said it would take five to six months. His secret? Hot yoga at The Hot Room Indianapolis, where he practiced Bikram yoga: a series of 26 postures in a room balanced with humidity and 106 degrees. No physical therapy. No personal trainer. No weight room. Only yoga.
"A Fireman's Tale: Heat Heals" — Aaron Gerth, March 2018
See the Initiative in Action
Watch how the Thank A Firefighter initiative brings communities together to honor the heroes who protect us.
Caroline (Helping Ninja & Brownie) — Nashville, Tennessee
Thank A Firefighter — Initiative Overview
Our Parent Organization
Helping Ninjas
Thank A Firefighter is an initiative of Helping Ninjas — a youth-led organization dedicated to teaching kids the power of community service, gratitude, and making a difference in the world and to become highly skilled at helping.