Hero Street Funder | Fourth Wall Films

Hero Street Film Funder

Making a Movie That Matters with YOUR Help - Thank you!

Campaign Status: ACTIVE

Goal: $2,500

Raised: $600

Percentage: 24%

Backers: 2

You can help us tell this personal and harrowing American history story. We are in post-production on A World Away From Hero Street, Part 8 in our Hero Street Documentary Film Series.

Double your donation! Marc and Virginia Wilson have pledged to match YOUR contribution, dollar for dollar, up to a total of $2,500!

Your generous donation, large or small, will help us complete this important project!

I'm ready to donate! (scroll down--on a phone, donation buttons may be at the very bottom of this page)

Our Story

My Name is Kelly Rundle. My wife, Tammy, and I are 5-time Emmy-winning historical documentary filmmakers. I grew up in East Moline next door to Silvis, Illinois, and we currently reside in nearby Moline, Our films tell important Midwestern stories. We have completed two dozen award-winning documentaries including FIVE Hero Street films,

HERO STREET Film Series

Only a block-and-a-half long, 2nd Street in Silvis, Illinois lost six young men in World War II and two in the Korean War--more than any other street in America. Hero Street, as it is now known, has produced more than 100 service members since Mexican immigrants settled there in 1929.

The Hero Street Documentary Film Series explores the personal and family sagas behind each of the eight heroes: Tony Pompa, Frank Sandoval, William Sandoval, Claro Soliz, Peter Masias, Joseph Sandoval, Joseph Gomez and John S. Muños. The series will combine interviews with family members, friends, veterans, community leaders and historians with vintage photos, film, and archival materials to tell an unforgettable true story of American courage, character, and perseverance.

Joseph Gomez's Story

P.F.C. Joseph Gomez was born on November 13, 1929. He served with Co. K 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division in Korea. Joe was awarded a Silver Star for gallant action against the enemy on May 17, 1951. He was wounded and died on May 28, 1951. V.F.W Ybarra-Gomez Post 8890 in East Moline, Illinois is named in his honor.

What We Need

We are losing our WWII and Korean War veterans along with people who remember that era and the Hero Street heroes, at an alarming rate. Time to preserve the stories of these brave men and women is growing short. It is essential to preserve the Hero Street story.

We have on-camera interviews with about a dozen elderly siblings of the Hero Street Eight and others with direct memories of these brave young men. We continue to do interviews when people are available, with or without funding in-hand.

Grants for Arts and Humanities (history) film projects were effectively eliminated nation-wide in early 2025. We have set a modest goal that we hope you will help us meet, or exceed.

We know you will enjoy the PERKS we are offering to thank you for your contribution! There are signed Hero Street postcards, DVDs from the series, streaming options, and we are also offering website and onscreen credits, and Premiere Event tickets.

Every contribution helps move this project closer to completion and release in early 2027.

As mentioned above, we want to meet and exceed the $2,500 goal set for this fundraising campaign. CAN YOU HELP US with a contribution, and then SHARE this campaign?

Impact

Each funding goal we reach creates new momentum for the entire project! A World Away from Hero Street tells one Mexican-American man's unique and important story of Korean War military service, along with exploring the wider context for his particular story. All of our films are shown in film festivals, movie theaters, universities, and other venues throughout the U.S. They are also available via streaming and released nationally on DVD/Blu-ray, and they are broadcast on PBS stations throughout the region. The first film produced in the series, Letters Home to Hero Street, was nominated for a Mid-America Emmy along with An Infantryman From Hero Street. Most people see our films free via broadcasts and special events.

Challenges

We are confident that we will reach our goal, but fundraising is always the most challenging part of independent filmmaking. We are VERY GRATEFUL for your support and encouragement! Our contributors are not a "crowd" (as in crowd-funding). They are part of our Hero Street Film Series COMMUNITY. We invite YOU to JOIN this community!

Other Ways to Help

Even if you can't contribute financially, ANYONE can help us spread the word to potential donors. Thank you for sharing this campaign via Facebook, Instagram, and email. With your help, we can successfully complete this important American history documentary film project!

Looking for more information or have a question? Visit HeroStreetMovie.com

Funding Options

Suggested amounts and perks are listed below. If you contribute via credit card through the PayPal links below, you are making a non-tax-deductible contribution.

You can also make a non-tax-deductible contribution with a check made out to: Fourth Wall Films, P.O. Box 702, Moline, IL 61266.

Contact us at fourthwallfilms @ aol . com for instructions on making a tax-deductible contribution (of $100 or more) through our fiscal sponsor, Truth First Film Alliance, Inc. a 501 (c)(3) non-profit based in the Quad Cities.

FAQ:
Q: Why aren't you producing the films in chronological order?

A: We are producing the films in the order in which resources become available. Resources include funding and sufficient on-camera interviews with family members, and archival materials including photographs and letters.

Q: How many of the nine films are complete?

A: Five films are complete - Riding the Rails to Hero Street, Letters Home to Hero Street, A Bridge Too Far From Hero Street, An Infantryman From Hero Street, and The Last to Fall From Hero Street.

Q: Why aren't you using a conventional crowdfunding platform like Indiegogo?

A: By hosting our own online fundraiser, more of your contribution goes toward our project. For example, Indiegogo takes 5-9% of funds raised and another 3% to handle each contribution.

Please share this campaign! THANK YOU!

Contribution Levels & Perks

$10 - GIVER

HeroStreetMovie.com website credit, thank you via email from the filmmakers.

$25 - SUPPORTER
Website credit, a Hero Street film postcard in an archival sleeve signed by filmmakers with note of thanks.

$30 - BACKER
Website credit, a Hero Street film postcard in an archival sleeve signed by filmmakers with note of thanks, and an online viewing link to A World Away From Hero Street (when complete and in release),

$50 - DONOR
Onscreen & website credit, a Hero Street film postcard in an archival sleeve signed by the filmmakers with a note of thanks, and an online viewing link to A World Away From Hero Street (when available),

$100 - CONTRIBUTOR
Onscreen & website credit, an A World Away From Hero Street DVD or digital copy (when available), a FREE streaming link or digital copy of the completed Hero Street episode of your choice, and a Hero Street film postcard in an archival sleeve signed by the filmmakers with a note of thanks.

$250 - SPECIAL PATRON

Onscreen & website credit, two A World Away From Hero Street DVDs or digital copies (when available), two DVDs or digital copies of the completed Hero Street episode of your choice, and Hero Street film postcard in archival sleeve signed by filmmakers with note of thanks.

$500 - SUSTAINER

Prominent onscreen credit, prominent website credit, 2 premiere or special event tickets, TWO A World Away From Hero Street DVDs or digital copies (when available), TWO completed Hero Street DVDs or digital copies of your choice, and a Hero Street film postcard in an archival sleeve signed by the filmmakers with a note of thanks.

$1,000 - PRIMARY BENEFACTOR
Prominent opening & closing credits, prominent printed program credit, prominent website credit, 4 premiere or special event screening tickets, TWO A World Away From Hero Street DVDs (when available), ALL of the completed Hero Street films on DVD or digital copies, and a Hero Street postcard in archival sleeve signed by filmmakers with a note of thanks.

Thank You!