Operation Chillout

Operation Chillout is there to help our homeless veterans. I became involved about ten years ago and was shocked to find out there are thousands of veterans who are homeless in our state which is one of the richest in our country. I try to help with supplies, labor and raising money to help them do more.

I have helped with Operation Chillout and am more impressed every year. This year the "big thing" was the "tiny house" being built for a homeless veteran. Apparently the vet that is chosen will live in the tiny house for a period of time, with his family. This should be enough to get him on his feet, able to move on and free up the tiny house for another needy vet. I thought this was a great undertaking.

I went with my high school son for the first time this year. It was a wonderful event with various activities and food options. We will be back next year.

They have saved many Vets and other needy homeless men

Since its inception so many years ago, I have been humbled that a kernel of an idea - provide life sustaining water to homeless veterans on the streets of major cities in the New Jersey region - could evolve into a simple, yet highly functional resource for veterans. Meeting and chatting with some of these Vets is a heartfelt experience to come to know their struggles just holding onto normal life's activities. Operation Chillout is one of those outreach programs that began with a humble idea and has grown to capture the hearts and minds of ever larger communities of people. It's a sight to behold to see how ordinary people, many of whom have not served in the armed forces, support an ideal much larger than themselves. This operation is largely run by everyday people that volunteer their time, no longer for just water, but now for clothing, mini-housing, referral services, on-the-street rescue services, as well as good old fashioned fundraising. This is a homegrown outreach service to underwrite the almost lost and forgotten that deserve everyone's support regardless of political leaning, faith community, national heritage, or military service or not.
Bob Dunne, Gladstone, NJ

I have been assisting this Charity for several years. Taking our Homeless Veterans off the street is an amazing concept and one we should not have to do, as our veterans deserve better than that. I truly hope there comes a time that this organization can disband, but until them, more power to them

Operation Chill Out goes out and finds our homeless veterans that have fallen through the cracks of government red tape. Operation Chill Out saves lives and restores dignity to our homeless veterans with direct response all volunteer teams. They provide water ,caps and clothing in summer and winter appropriate gear in the colder months. Temporary emergency
shelter is provided until our vets find permanent housing when needed. Our all volunteer group gives out 100% of donations received. No one is payed for their time or efforts.

My name is Jan Williams, Cultural and Historic Resources Specialist for the Dept. of Planning and Preservation, Morris County.

Unworthy as I was, I was the guest speaker at Operation Chillout, 2017 at Vasa Park.
This has to have been one of the best organized events I have attended in my career. What I appreciated most were the numbers of veterans who attended. My expierience tells me that veterans will not attend anything unless it is the "real deal". Highly co-ordinated, family friendly and very wonderful volunteers. In order help spread the word, the flier was posted on the Morris County government facebook page and in the lobby where my office is located. I wish the organizers at Operation Chillout continued success in the future with this very worthy cause.

Respectfully,

Jan Williams

I've been working with Operation Chillout for 4 years now. I help organize their biggest fundraiser - Vets Summer Fest. We raise money and awareness for homeless veterans. Their Rapid Reponse team makes deliveries to locations where homeless people are. They deliver backpacks filled with survival items to homeless veterans and all homeless people. During the summer they deliver cases of water as water supplies can be very limited for the homeless. They provide training to any individual who wants to volunteer to help.

Truly caring and dedicated group of volunteers for veterans who need help. Giving everything from food and water to clothing to spiritual nourishment, these volunteers are inspiring.

No Borders-No Boundaries, means just that for the volunteers of Operation Chillout. 24/7/365 these men and women are dedicated to really make a difference. So much so that while others talk, these volunteers through their actions are sending out a strong message and getting things done and people are taking notice.