Our mission is to serve as a force for good that supports not only the RC hobbyist community but also our larger global community in times of need.
YOUR WORLD. OUR COMMUNITY
Radio control is an outstanding hobby experience. RC appeals to all ages and every generation, it lasts a lifetime, and it encompasses builders, flyers, bashers and racers — an enormous spectrum of enthusiasts who bond through our mutual passion for RC. We come together in local, community-based clubs and organizations to share our love for the hobby. Through Hobbies for Good, we’re also able to use our resources in a variety of ways to give back to our RC community and help it thrive.
Of course, we’re also members of a much broader, global community of passionate RC people. Hobbies for Good therefore also works to aid and positively influence that larger community in its times of need.
GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY
Hobbies for Good is making a difference in people's lives through our commitment to serving and our passion for hobbies.
We believe financial success flows from our core value of servant leadership. Hobbies for Good represents all the ways Horizon Hobby invests our time, talents and resources in the community at large. Our people love to serve others and engage in meaningful causes. They've raised money for cancer research, provided food and shelter for families in need and contributed aid for victims of natural disasters.
Whenever possible, we strive to make a difference by using hobbies as a platform to help people. We regularly donate our products to help charitable organizations raise money for great causes. We send RC aircraft and vehicles overseas so members of our military can have a little fun now and then while serving so far from home. And it's not at all uncommon to find “Horizonites” sharing their passion for hobbies by helping out in schools, youth groups, and clubs.
You see, for us, doing good and doing well go hand in hand. That's why our employees can be counted on to step up whenever there is a need. They realize they're part of something bigger than themselves and that makes a difference in people's lives.
Doing Good within All of Our Communities
Horizon Hobby Hobbies for Good works on several levels to support causes and interests that matter to the RC community and beyond.
Horizon Community (Employees and Corporate)
- American Red Cross — Disaster Relief Efforts
- YMCA
- USO
Local Communities
- Charities within communities where Horizon facilities are located
- Specific (likely one-time) needs within the RC hobby community
Communities-at-Large
- National charities aligned with our mission
Horizon Hobby Supporting the USO and Operation Charlie for Giving Tuesday 2023
Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement that inspires people to give, collaborate, and celebrate kindness. Horizon Hobby is excited to participate with a little help from our RC community.
Get in the true holiday spirit by donating to Hobbies for Good! You can donate by purchasing one of Horizon Hobby’s collectible ornaments, purchasing any apparel item or visiting your local hobby shop. All donations will be given to the USO and Operation 11 Charlie through Hobbies for Good. Hobbies for Good is our charitable giving organization that helps support our RC communities along with local communities at a time of need. All donations made today will help support all the needs of our partners, USO and Operation 11 Charlie.
Participating retailers are taking donations for Hobbies for Good starting November 28, 2023 and ending on December 23, 2023. Horizon Hobby will also donate 10% of the sale price of each hat and ornament sold to support our partners, the USO and Operation 11 Charlie from November 28, 2023 until items are sold out. Horizon Hobby will match each donation up to $50. This purchase is not tax deductible.
Visit our Season of Giving page to learn more about our donation options this holiday season.
USO Receives $100,000 Check from Horizon Hobby© and Hobbies For Good
On June 10th, 2023, Horizon Hobby presented representatives from the United Service Organizations (USO) with a check in the amount of $100,000. This donation was made through Hobbies for Good, the community outreach charitable giving organization created by Horizon Hobby, and it will be used to help support USO programs.
Two years ago, Horizon Hobby and Hobbies for Good announced their collaboration with the USO and the partnership has continued to grow strong. Horizon Hobby President and CEO Chris Dickerson said, “It is a tremendous honor to be able to support the incredible work of the USO. Horizon Hobby’s desire to give back is fueled by the Horizon team, many of whom have served in our military, or have family members who have served, and it is a testament to our RC community. We are blessed to have this opportunity to support the USO and proud and humbled by our heroes.”
USO Midwest Regional President Alison Ruble said, “The USO recognizes the importance of keeping our service members and their families connected to community — and to one another — through the fun and togetherness of shared recreation. Thanks to generous support from Horizon Hobby, in cooperation with Hobbies for Good, we are able to engage these families in opportunities that positively impact their well-being, strengthen bonds, and provide lasting memories.”
Champaign, Illinois — Horizon Hobby presented a $2,200 check to the American Red Cross on Monday, May 1, 2023. The gift of $2,200 was presented through Hobbies for Good, the community outreach charitable giving organization created by Horizon Hobby. The contribution from Hobbies for Good is designated to help support the relief efforts due to flooding in California and tornado damage across the Midwest. Contributions came from Horizon Hobby employees, customers, and a company match.
Multiple homes and farmlands in Pajaro and Watsonville, California flooded on Friday, March 10, when the Pajaro River in Central California overflowed its levee. On March 13, a second deluge followed, causing the levee to collapse. With relentless rainfall, the flooding is overwhelming for many Californians. Additionally, multiple states across the nation have been impacted by storms and tornadoes that rolled through recently, including Arkansas, Tennessee, Nebraska, Iowa, Ohio, New Jersey, and Illinois.
“Every day, the American Red Cross is in communities assisting people facing emergencies. We provide comfort, support, and lodging for the family struck by a home fire. We help a deployed soldier get home for the birth of his child. We provide lifesaving blood to the patient battling cancer,” said Celena Roldán Sarillo, regional chief executive officer of the Illinois Red Cross. “And our mission would not be possible without the ongoing support of donors. We are extremely grateful to Horizon Hobby for their partnership and generous gift in support of the Red Cross mission.”
The Red Cross is spending tens of millions of dollars to help families affected by these disasters. These costs include providing meals, shelter, blankets, cots, emotional support, health services, spiritual care, financial assistance, and relief supplies. It also includes some of the less visible costs that make relief possible, including disaster response vehicles, warehouse space, staff, volunteer travel, and technology expenses. Hobbies for Good selected the American Red Cross as a primary charity in 2020 and continues that level of support in 2023.
Impact Lives. Donate Now.
Join us in supporting the American Red Cross.
Hobbies for Good, the community outreach charitable giving
organization created by Horizon Hobby, represents how Horizon Hobby invests time, talent, and resources in the
community. The organization has raised money for cancer research, provided food and shelter for families in
need, and contributed aid for victims of natural disasters.
Recently, multiple homes and farmlands in Pajaro and Watsonville, California, flooded when the Pajaro River in
Central California overflowed its levee. Unfortunately, a second deluge followed, causing the levee to
collapse. With relentless rainfall, the flooding is overwhelming for many Californians.
Your assistance is needed to provide relief to those impacted.
Hobbies for Good, in partnership with the American Red Cross, is accepting financial donations to aid in the recovery efforts in California. You can make a difference by clicking the link below or scanning the QR code to submit a one-time, tax-deductible payment. The link will take you directly to the Hobbies for Good donation portal.
Additionally, Hobbies for Good will match dollar for dollar up to $2,500 for anyone who gives through Friday, April 7th.
Click to Donate Now or Scan QR code below
HORIZON HOBBY© SUPPORTING THE UNITED STATES SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS (USO) FOR VETERANS DAY
On November 11th, we celebrate all that America’s Veterans have done for us. Thank you for your patriotism, your bravery, and your willingness to serve. We are forever grateful.
During Veteran’s Day through Sunday, our online checkout donation box proceeds will go to the USO via Hobbies for Good and will be matched by Horizon Hobby up to $5,000. Horizon Hobby, in corporation with Hobbies for Good, works on several levels to support causes and interests that matter to the RC community and beyond, and we are proud to partner with the USO in this endeavor.
HORIZON HOBBY© SUPPORTING THE AMERICAN RED CROSS FOR GIVING TUESDAY 2022
Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement that inspires people to give, collaborate, and celebrate kindness. Horizon Hobby is excited to participate with a little help from our RC community.
Get in the true holiday spirit by donating with your purchase today or by purchasing one of Horizon Hobby’s collectable ornaments or purchasing our Michael McDowell Hat.
Hobbies for Good will give the American Red Cross 100% of all donations collected through the Horizon Hobby website this Giving Tuesday and will also donate 10% of the sale price of each hat and ornament sold to support urgent needs of the American Red Cross. Visit our Season of Giving page to learn more about our donation options this holiday season.
HORIZON HOBBY© ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UNITED SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS (USO)
Horizon Hobby in cooperation with Hobbies for Good is proud to announce a partnership with the United Service Organizations (USO)
Hobbies for Good will be named the presenting sponsor of the 2021 USO Midwest Region Sporting Clay Events in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin and the 2021 Military Family Day.
HORIZON HOBBY© ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AMERICAN RED CROSS
THE $25,000 GIFT SUPPORTS COVID-19 TESTING AND BLOOD DRIVES IN CENTRAL ILLINOIS AND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.
Champaign, Illinois — Horizon Hobby in corporation with Hobbies
for Good presented a $25,000 check to the American Red Cross on Monday, July 19th, 2021. The gift of $25,000
was presented through Hobbies for Good, the community outreachcharitable giving organization created by
Horizon Hobby. The contribution from Hobbies for Good is designated to help support COVID-19 testing and blood
drives in Illinois and California.
“Every day, the American Red Cross is in communities assisting people facing emergencies. We provide comfort,
support and lodging for the family struck by a home fire. We help a deployed soldier get home for the birth of
his child. We provide lifesaving blood to the patient battling cancer,” said Celena Roldan, regional chief
executive officer of the Illinois Red Cross. “And our mission would not be possible without the ongoing
support of donors. We are extremely grateful to Horizon Hobby for their partnership and generous gift in
support of the Red Cross biomed mission.”
As the single largest provider of blood products in the U.S., the American Red Cross is uniquely positioned to
respond to demands of the health care system during emergencies. It plays a critical role in making sure that
those in need of blood – including people undergoing surgery, cancer patients, trauma victims, new mothers and
premature babies – receive lifesaving transfusions from volunteer blood donors. Further, as the largest
disaster response organizations in the country, the Red Cross provides critical disaster relief, and this
funding – combined with donations from other generous donors – will help maintain the continuity of our
critical blood supply and our vital disaster relief operations during this unprecedented pandemic.
Hobbies for Good selected the American Red Cross as their primary charity for 2020.
“We chose partnering with the American Red Cross because their mission is consistent with our tradition of
service and support to the communities in which our employees live and work,” said Chris Dickerson, President
of Horizon Hobby. “The Red Cross is one of the most recognizable organizations in the world, and we appreciate
the skill and expertise they bring when people need it most. During this challenging time, we are pleased to
join with them in reaching out to those in need.”
HORIZON HOBBY ANNOUNCES JOSEPH M. AMBROSE ENGINEERING VISIONARY SCHOLARSHIP FUND
The Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois is the recipient of the $25,000 gift.
Champaign, Illinois — Horizon Hobby is pleased to announce the Joseph M. Ambrose Engineering Visionary Scholarship Fund in partnership with The Grainger Foundation and The Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois. The gift of $25,000 was presented through Hobbies for Good, the community outreach charitable giving organization created by Horizon Hobby. The contribution from Hobbies for Good to start this scholarship fund was matched in full by The Grainger Foundation.
“Horizon Hobby and Hobbies for Good’s support is helping turn dreams into realities and passions into possibilities for Grainger Engineers through the Engineering Visionary Scholarship (EVS) Initiative,” said Rashid Bashir, Dean, The Grainger College of Engineering. “Their commitment to the EVS Initiative has contributed to our success in attracting and retaining a talented and diverse student body, has helped reduce student debt load, and has increased access to education for the next generation of leaders in engineering.”
In 2012, The Grainger Foundation and The Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois launched an initiative to raise $100 million in endowment support with a special emphasis on unrestricted scholarships. The Initiative allows the college to provide students with larger, renewable scholarships that can transform the students’ undergraduate experience. Engineering Visionary Scholarships enable students to focus on academics and co-curricular activities that enrich their collegiate experience and their professional development.
The Engineering Visionary Scholarship Initiative has since paved the way for hundreds of deserving students to make their dreams of becoming an engineer a reality.
“As president and CEO of Horizon Hobby for more than a decade, Joe was an incredible ambassador for innovation and creative thinking,” said Chris Dickerson, President of Horizon Hobby. “Choosing to honor Joe’s memory by supporting students interested in studying engineering at Illinois makes perfect sense. He always saw the future of radio control through the engineers and designers in product development, and this scholarship fund recognizes that commitment.”
As part of The Engineering Visionary Scholarship Initiative, the Joseph M. Ambrose Engineering Visionary Scholarship Fund is available for anyone to help keep the scholarship active in perpetuity. For more information, visit The Grainger College of Engineering at https://grainger.illinois.edu
