It's hard to put into words what a blessing it is to have Operation Love's support. I can't say enough about what a difference Operation Love has made in my life! I'm a female vet that's had a hard time adjusting to civilian life. I was homeless, alone, and afraid. Operation Love couldn't be better named; Lisa came through with an ambush of compassion that helped me feel supported and safe in my community. She helped furnish me with essentials like a bed, a table, chairs and kitchen items so I could feel at home in my new home. The intense and prolific gifts that were hauled in immediately when I most needed them were given in such a way that it felt (and was) just a friend helping another friend out- so it didn't feel like I was accepting charity. Vets are a proud lot; it's not easy to help them. Lisa "love" as some other vets and I call her, is a shining example of an extraordinary human "handing-up", rather than handing out. I can't say enough about what a difference Operation Love has made in my life.
I have been working with Lisa and Aaron for a few years now, and I can personally commend them on all the work they do. They have risked so much just to help these veterans and every single time we go out to volunteer events there are many who tell me how opLOV has changed their life and talk about how above and beyond these two angels have gone in their service to the vets
I am an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran (U.S. Army - Military Police Corps) with severe post traumatic stress disorder (I have attempted suicide 5 times since the war) and suffer from severe depression and guilt from my time serving,
I first encountered OPLOV in Feb of 2011 at the Menlo Park, California Veterans Hospital. I was in an inpatient program receiving treatment for PTSD. OPLOV arrived the evening of Valentine's Day with a delicious meal as well as gift bags for all of us veterans. Lisa and Haley made us all feel very loved during a time when many of us were struggling with not wanting to be alive and may or may not have support from our families.
I had the opportunity to both volunteer with and receive assistance (many times) from OPLOV ranging in things such as helping me find housing when I was homeless to getting me a bicycle so I could get to and from my job (as well as providing emotional support!) They also even helped me decorate my first apartment!
I can't even begin to thank OPLOV for everything that they have done for me - they are a wonderful nonprofit that really does focus directly on the veterans! Many nonprofits you wonder what exactly they are doing to help veterans - you don't have that issue with OPLOV you can see their direct effect on the veteran community.
Our family came to California with the clothes on our back. OPLOV was key to our survival by providing food and furniture to us. Without them things would have been much harder. Thank you so much to this non profit foundation!!! Forever Grateful!!!!
We are a dual veteran family that has lost essentially almost everything possible. This organization has had a key role in helping out family hey back on our feet. I love Lisa and so does the rest of my family. We receive food, clothes, pillows, vacuum, and other things that help make life a little easier. Thank you for all you do for my family and for all the veterans.
For the sake of brevity, and my lack of literary capabilities, I will try to be concise as possible in describing all of the good attributes OPLOV posses. Firstly, the founder, Lisa, takes an atypical approach to serving the veteran community - she does it with wanton abandon compassion and earnest love. Although that may appear as a standard for such a non-profit, it is by far above and beyond, which sets a standard that few can emulate. The legitimate care for each audience she serves is apparent in her many projects (e.g., Facebook trips, homecooked meals) as she tailors each to, obviously, veterans but also with a gentle touch that disregards generational gaps and service branches. Not all veterans are the same, and Lisa does an superb job to ensure that each of us feel welcomed and appreciated.
I have been witness to the amazing work this organization does. From feeding the vets weekly to buying mattress for needy vets. LIsa spends countless hours making sure these men and women are taken care of. Bless Lisa and the men and women that help her help local vets.
If you ever want to meet someone with the priceless desire to help and love you for your service to your country you have arrived at the right place. I needed to make some changes in my home and life I needed a new queen size mattress and box spring. I didn't hear from Lisa for a while but then I got a call and she said that she was coming over with all the items I needed and am I ready? It was delivered on time and as stated. She needs your support to help others. I also donated some household items I didn't need
JP WWll vet
I absolutely love volunteering for Operation Love Our Vets!!! The love, caring, compassion, that Lisa and Aaron show to our vets, makes me proud to be a part of. Any needs our vets have, just let Lisa know, and she will either fulfill the need, or direct them to who can assist them. I've been there almost a year now and can tell you it feels like we are all family, serving our vets. They appear to enjoy coming on Wednesdays too....Lisa even delivers food to shut in vets...after a long day. There is nothing she wouldn't do for our vets!!! She is an angel sent from God to serve our vets is does remarkable!! Oh, she also has fishing trips for them, and a garden they designed up at the VA Hospital in Palo Alto. She arranges for the hospital bound vets to get away on day trips. Again, she is a true blessing for our vets!! I am proud to serve our vets too as they really are ALL our Heroes
This is an amazing group spearheaded by an amazing person who's only motivation is to help veterans and show them they are loved! Many veterans quality of life has been improved by these wonderful people!
Op-LOV is hands down the best & fastest growing charity I have ever had the pleasure of working with.
The people at OPLOV are the most sincere and caring people you could ask to be of service to a forgotten segment of our society. Warm hearted, full of kindness and dedicated to the cause, Lisa and Aaron are inspiring and provide much needed food companionship and the gifts of their heart to help heal wounded spirits. What an awesome group to be a part of! Thanks for all the and for shining your light in the dark!
As an Iraq war veteran, fitting in isn't always easy. With this organization everyone seems like family. There hearts and minds are in the mission of helping us pushed aside and forgotten.
Operation LOV is a true grass-roots organization that brings real comfort and makes a difference in the lives of veterans. Lisa and her crew are dedicated and hard-working, as well as a pleasure to be around. They have come out in support of our patriotic motorcycle riders group on a number of occasions and we will continue to support them as well.
Lisa and her crew do some amazing work. They are truly dedicated people who put in an enormous amount of time, a great deal of which goes for the most part, unnoticed by many. They show up for our events, (American Legion Riders) and not only provide some really wonderful food but the way they interact with the veterans is further proof of the heart they have to doing something positive for them. I really don't know how they manage to do so much....
Around 6 years ago Lisa told me how she was going to start a non-profit for vets. Lisa had been volunteering for years and she had a soft spot for the wounded who came back suffering from war (in many different ways) with little support in return for there service and sacrifices. I knew she was passionate but I also knew that she would have an up hill Battle to start a non-profit on her own (at the time a single mom). What I should of remembered at the time was who Lisa was and how she is in no way like most people. Lisa has always been a strong willed person with such a vibrant Karishma about her that has always made people listen. I should of known that those few qualitys alone in her would drive her to make it happen. I've watched from the beginning and she never once faltered on her vision. Lisa saw a need in this world and has been fighting to make that need smaller. Ive seen her year after year create new ideas and implement new ways to get the community involved in helping vets. My son's have benefited greatly by operation love our vets. They are more knowledgeable about the sacrifice a service man or woman make and now feel a sense of honor and respect for them. Im proud of what this non-profit is doing and feel honored to be touched by it.
Was overly ecstatic to hear Lisa and Op love was taking over the the kitchen at the veterans memorial building. I know she has the tenacity and drive to make it work.
These people are the real deal. They haved helped numerous veterans with everything from providing meals to giving veterans beds. Being that I am a veteran in need from time to time, I know if I ever need anything I can turn to oplove for help. Lisa, Aaron and thier team are truly there to help veterans intergrate back into civilian life with dignity and pride. If you're a veteran and you need any assistance with anything, these are the people you want and need. This group is your advocate, friend, support system and are truly genuine people. I will forever be in debt to these people for what they have done for me and my wife.
Sincerely,
A disabled veteran
USMC 0331
This group is amazing. I volunteer a lot of my time, but when I met Lisa Tkoch, the executive director, I was inspired to add her group to my list. Lisa and her crew of volunteers provide free lunches every Wednesday to about 100 vets... many of whom are low-income or homeless. They also go home with bags of free groceries. She has organized trips for them (an ocean fishing trip, a tour of the Tesla plant... where two of the vets are being considered for employment, and more), and she's obtained donated goods for them... chairs, clothing, new mattresses, linens, household goods, etc.
Lisa and her fiance and their kids are at the center of a whirlwind of activity. She even inspires her church congregation to come in and help. She really does love military vets and believes that they are not appreciated as much as they should be.
I love working with her. She hugs every vet when they line up for lunch, and she listens to their personal stories, and she inspires her volunteers to do the same.