Our Start
This organization is consisted of eight board members in the Cincinnati Tri-State Community including three military veterans. In addition, we have partnered with local chapters and charities that share in our mission directives. When a local law enforcement officer was killed in the line of duty in our area, it had shaken every one of us to our core. So we decided to do a car show to honor the fallen officer as OUR way of Backing the Blue in a loud way. After helping host that car show for the officer, many of us wanted to continue to do this on a larger scale and more frequently. Our name was inspired by that experience of Backing the Blue in that successful car show. But we wanted to support more than just our law enforcement. So we created this non-profit corporation to serve police, fire and military.
Our Mission
Our mission is to honor law enforcement officers, fire fighters and the military community and the families they have left behind. Our objective and vision is to not just be another organization that donates a check and then disappears. We intend on creating a network with the families of the fallen to meet and support one another during these toughest of times along with our partnered Non-profits of these communities. It is our desire to connect these families with these corporations for resources as well. We will be hosting various events to raise funds that will be donated to the selected families by our board to be honored at said events including our annual car show. We also help underfunded police/fire departments when the need is there for equipment/resources via our Operation Open Arms community Initiative.
We will continue to HONOR those whom served and gave the ultimate sacrifice. We will continue to SERVE those whom bear the burden of losing a loved one. We will SACRIFICE our time and effort to do what we must to show support and show solidarity to our heroes and their loved ones. This is because if not for their service, and sacrifice, our communities wouldn’t be as great and free as it is today. We will always BACK OUR HEROES! "
We will continue to HONOR those whom served and gave the ultimate sacrifice. We will continue to SERVE those whom bear the burden of losing a loved one. We will SACRIFICE our time and effort to do what we must to show support and show solidarity to our heroes and their loved ones. This is because if not for their service, and sacrifice, our communities wouldn’t be as great and free as it is today. We will always BACK OUR HEROES! "
Back the Blue Rumble is a tax exempt public charity
(Federal Tax ID # 83-4125871).
(Federal Tax ID # 83-4125871).
Board Members
Jessie Grabert
President/Executive Director
Jessie is a hardworking, devoted mother who is dedicated to leaving the fire service better than it was when she found it by working with various nonprofit organizations. She comes to Back the Heroes Rumble with not only first hand fire service experience, but also nonprofit management/marketing experience with the Tri-State FACE Team.
She now joins our organization as our newest Executive Director. She is driven to continue spreading awareness about our mission to honor our fallen heroes, to tackle lifesaving equipment needs of our first responders and provide community and cathartic support for the heroes and their families.
She now joins our organization as our newest Executive Director. She is driven to continue spreading awareness about our mission to honor our fallen heroes, to tackle lifesaving equipment needs of our first responders and provide community and cathartic support for the heroes and their families.
Nikki Barrow
Treasurer / Project Little Hero Program Director
Nikki comes to our charity with over a decade in banking experience with Fifth Third Bancorp as well as just as much experience in nonprofit functions. She has been volunteering with Team Rubicon for many years and helping carry on the mission to provide holiday cheer for military families.
She is our treasurer and the director for our program titled 'Project Little Hero' where we serve families of military/veterans and first responders with holiday cheer as well as back to school supplies!
She is our treasurer and the director for our program titled 'Project Little Hero' where we serve families of military/veterans and first responders with holiday cheer as well as back to school supplies!
Kate Blanton
Secretary
Kate is a dedicated high school health teacher at Woodward High School, part of Cincinnati Public Schools. She is currently in her 26th year of teaching and has spent her career investing in the lives of young people and strengthening her community through education.
Supremely patriotic, Kate is a proud supporter of our military and first responders. Her deep respect for those who serve, combined with her heart for service and leadership, aligns perfectly with the mission of Back the Heroes Rumble.
Supremely patriotic, Kate is a proud supporter of our military and first responders. Her deep respect for those who serve, combined with her heart for service and leadership, aligns perfectly with the mission of Back the Heroes Rumble.
Norman Nelson
Operation Open Arms Program Director/ Retired LEO/ Retired U.S Air Force/ NLEOMF Ambassador
In 2023, Norman was appointed director of Open Arms program, which provides lifesaving equipment and vital resources to first responder agencies across the Tri-State region. Being a retired Air Force Security Forces veteran, a retired Law enforcement officer, Norman knows all too well what dangers our first responders inherit daily performing their duties.
This is why Norman came to our organization wanting to help it grow and make a bigger impact every single year. Norman is also one of the important Ambassadors to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial & Museum in Washington D.C.
This is why Norman came to our organization wanting to help it grow and make a bigger impact every single year. Norman is also one of the important Ambassadors to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial & Museum in Washington D.C.
Joey Barrow
Volunteer & Logistics Coordinator
Joey has been a hardworking and dedicated member of our board for several years and represents the very definition of volunteer spirit. He brings over a decade of nonprofit and volunteer experience to our organization, including earning two Presidential Volunteer Service Awards for his efforts following Hurricane Harvey in 2017, when he assisted communities in Texas and Louisiana during disaster recovery.
Joey is also a proud Navy Veteran who served in Iraq in 2003, 2004, and 2005 aboard the USS George Washington(CVN-73). He also served with the United States Fifth Fleet out of Bahrain as part of Anti-Terrorism Task Force 55.
But perhaps the most powerful part of Joey’s story is this, he is a two-time brain cancer survivor. He has beaten the odds and continues to live a life devoted to serving others. His resilience is not just inspiring, it’s a reminder of what strength and purpose truly look like.
Outside of board service, Joey is an outdoor enthusiast who loves camping, hiking, climbing, kayaking, and even swimming across large bodies of water (yes, he once swam to Canada!). He’s also a competitive handball player with 15 years on the court.
Most importantly, Joey is a family man. Alongside his wife Nikki, who also serves on our board, and their two boys (plus what he lovingly calls the “Funny Farm” of animals), service is a true family tradition.
Joey is also a proud Navy Veteran who served in Iraq in 2003, 2004, and 2005 aboard the USS George Washington(CVN-73). He also served with the United States Fifth Fleet out of Bahrain as part of Anti-Terrorism Task Force 55.
But perhaps the most powerful part of Joey’s story is this, he is a two-time brain cancer survivor. He has beaten the odds and continues to live a life devoted to serving others. His resilience is not just inspiring, it’s a reminder of what strength and purpose truly look like.
Outside of board service, Joey is an outdoor enthusiast who loves camping, hiking, climbing, kayaking, and even swimming across large bodies of water (yes, he once swam to Canada!). He’s also a competitive handball player with 15 years on the court.
Most importantly, Joey is a family man. Alongside his wife Nikki, who also serves on our board, and their two boys (plus what he lovingly calls the “Funny Farm” of animals), service is a true family tradition.
TJ McQueen
Board Member
TJ comes to us as a repeated volunteer lead from TQL and it's Volunteer group with history helping us with our annual car show and even our golf outing last year. We are excited to have such a devoted volunteer join us and will no doubt see a direct impact in growth and desired increase in charitable support from his efforts.
Samantha Smith
Marketing Manager - Board Member
Sam is our most recent board member, and is currently the only one who hails from the state of Indiana. She has more than a decade of experience in the finance industry, working as a Tax Reporting Analyst at her day job.
Sam assists with Communications at her local Emergency Management agency, holding an amateur radio license, and is a former of the Ripley County Relay for Life. She also volunteers with Team Rubicon and Wreaths Across America.
Veterans/Active Duty Military and First Responders hold a special place in Sam's heart. By joining our mission, she is excited to be able to show her gratitude to those who have given so much.
Sam assists with Communications at her local Emergency Management agency, holding an amateur radio license, and is a former of the Ripley County Relay for Life. She also volunteers with Team Rubicon and Wreaths Across America.
Veterans/Active Duty Military and First Responders hold a special place in Sam's heart. By joining our mission, she is excited to be able to show her gratitude to those who have given so much.
Ashley Altman
Board Member
Ashley is a certified nurse practitioner specializing in outpatient mental health care at Collaborative Wellness Partnersand Pinpoint Behavioral Health, where she focuses on serving military members, veterans, first responders, and their families.
As the wife of a Coast Guard veteran and a local law enforcement officer, Ashley understands firsthand the unique pressures, sacrifices, and emotional weight carried by those who serve — and the families who stand beside them.
Her dedication doesn’t stop there. Ashley also serves on the Board of Directors for Project K-9 Hero, supporting retired military and law enforcement K-9s who have faithfully served our country.
Ashley brings compassion, clinical expertise, lived experience, and a deep servant’s heart to Back The Heroes Rumble. She is passionate about helping us expand our reach and connect more heroes and their families to the resources they need to truly thrive.
As the wife of a Coast Guard veteran and a local law enforcement officer, Ashley understands firsthand the unique pressures, sacrifices, and emotional weight carried by those who serve — and the families who stand beside them.
Her dedication doesn’t stop there. Ashley also serves on the Board of Directors for Project K-9 Hero, supporting retired military and law enforcement K-9s who have faithfully served our country.
Ashley brings compassion, clinical expertise, lived experience, and a deep servant’s heart to Back The Heroes Rumble. She is passionate about helping us expand our reach and connect more heroes and their families to the resources they need to truly thrive.
Wendy Jodice
Board Member
Founders
Carl Whalen
Co-Founder
Andera Whalen
In Loving Memory (January 1988 - August 2025)
Co-Founder
FAQs
Back the Heroes Rumble offers two funded programs: Operation Never Forget & Operation Open Arms. ONF is our annual car show where we honor fallen heroes & support the families of said honorees. We also host an annual Heroes Holiday Toy Drive for families of police/fire/military and veteran communities.
OOA is a community initiative where we assist underfunded needs of law enforcement/fire departments. Both initiatives get corporate support and from individual donations.
100% of Donor funds go towards the mission and operations.
No. Absolutely zero funding/donations go to our board or staff. Even including our President, all are 100% volunteers and receive no compensation of any kind.
You can help by signing up to volunteer at our events. You can get directly to this page by clicking here – How to Help This page also allows you to make one-time donations directly to the program you wish to support. Thank you for your support!
First, we would like to Thank you and your department for serving and protecting our communities!
You need to go to ‘Programs’ and click on Operation Open Arms in our top page menu. Once you are there, you should click on ‘Apply for Assistance’ button.
From there, our Program Director, Norman Nelson will reach out to work with you and help.
Applications are reviewed from January 1st through March 31st and decisions to fund requests made are done during our monthly board meeting in April each year. Decisions are based on need, the number of applications submitted and available funding. We are also limited based on available program funding at the time of these decisions.
Thank you for reaching out! Many Corporations like yours has been the backbone in our efforts and without you, doing our mission would be difficult.
We kindly ask you reach out to us via email at Samantha@backtheheroesrumble.com and Samantha Smith will reach out to you and show you the various ways we can work together in serving our heroes! Check out our Ambassadorship program and learn how we can work together to serve our heroes and their families directly.
Also please check out our programs as there are often times along with our car show opportunities to sponsor! Again, Thank you for your support!