Bells of Freedom is a program of Dance Hearts, a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization specifically dedicated to connecting our in-service military men and women to the community they serve in the form of holiday “family” adoptions, emergency support, and, most recently, the development of transitional housing for the many women and children displaced due to adverse situations (death, separation, or other unforeseen circumstances) that can no longer remain in a military housing situation.
Dance Hearts was founded in December 2001 by Louis and Tanya McKay, dancers by trade, and children of military servicemen by birth. Dance Hearts and more specifically, the Bells of Freedom program, began with our first Holiday season “Military Family Adoptions” in 2001 where individual civilians, organizations, schools, churches, synagogues, and corporations “adopt” and provide much needed extra help in the way of food, gift cards, toys, and other family needs.
Dance Hearts and the Bells of Freedom originated at Camp Pendleton, California, but it is quickly growing chapters in other areas of the United States.
The Bells of Freedom program works with military men and women who have been referred to our program via local unit commanders and chaplains. We believe that the Bells of Freedom program allows us to show our support and appreciation as a community to military men and women of the U.S. Armed forces for the sacrifices they make everyday in defending our freedoms. We believe the opportunity to help is our opportunity as a community to thank our military men and women for the sacrifices they make every day in defending our freedoms.