I have worked with Operation Support Our Troops - America for 10 years, starting when my son went into the Army and I coordinated a large donation through my employer for their boxes of donated items to service members in harms way. I was so impressed with their programs, volunteers and outreach, so, as Executive Director of Little Smoke Chicago, an organization that holds events and raises donations for local charities, I added them to our charities that we donate to. Over the last 10 years, we have donated over $10,000 to OSOTA, and will certainly add to that with our upcoming event on Saturday, September 8th. Sue, Bill and Deb work tirelessly to organize so many events and programs to benefit our men and women in uniform. We are so grateful for their efforts! Thank you!!
As a US Army veteran, the mission and support of OSOT-America resonates with me. I started donating a few years ago when I learned about them. My family then started to choose them as our holiday charitable organization to send more donations to them for our troops. When I became chair of my company's veterans employee resource group we put OSOT-America on the ballot for community support and donations and they were selected to receive a check by our entire employee population. We have helped to pack kits and painted their office area - after all those taking care of the troops also need some care.
This is a great organization that does amazing things to support our troops and their families. The story of OSOT-America is compelling and now I serve on the Board as I want to do more to help ensure the missions and services of OSOT continue!
As evolutions takes place in just about every facet of our world and daily lives, Operation Support our troops-America has also evolved. Over the years, the organization had begun to provide very strong supportive services to current Military Servicemembers, and to the Veteran community at large (the Veteran and the spouse). It stood up it's Allen J Lynch Medal of Honor Veteran's Assistance Program (AJ Lynch MOH Vet Assist. Prog.), which is like no other. The program provides a Onetime Grant that is very effective in that it gives the Veteran a hand-up that does not only bring the Veteran out of a bad situation, it also assist with restoring dignity through it's respectful approach to the situation, which can be very motivational to a Veteran to get them energize and moving forward. I also found that the program operates from moral characteristics that are found within the Military community, as well as the promises that every servicemember makes to each other while serving; Never accept defeat, and Never leave a fallen comrade. The program honors the service that is given to each Veteran, and it does it with great significance; rental assistance to prevent homelessness, or the return from homelessness, utility bill assistance, unique personal needs for women Veterans, and a host of others categories are attended to. Even if criteria is not met for receiving a Onetime Grant, the AJ Lynch MOH Vet Assist. Prog wants every Veteran to leave with tools / information that will guide them towards there goal. The program also assist Veterans that are enrolled in a training that is promised to carry them to a new fulltime career that offers real sustainability. Financial literacy classes are also being offered in an effort to ensure that the Veteran can continue on with understanding the importance of creating a personal budget, as well as managing it. Operation Support Our Troops-America fully understands the true meaning of comprehensive needs for Veterans, as well as Loyalty, Duty and Respect to those who served us so Honorably.
L.M.
I've been around this org for numerous years, at various levels of engagement. What is noticeable is the singular focus towards the mission and the beneficiaries. While today's men and women in, and returning from, harms way may not be front and center for the media, this org continues to drive as hard as ever to support them. Each of it's programs is meaningful and impacting for those to whom they serve. The members/volunteers who make it all happen are tireless in their efforts to continue the mission and do the best they can to make every resource go its furthest. Thanks for the great work and true support!
Being a veteran myself, I can relate to the difficulties of being deployed overseas. I can empathize with our men and women who are serving in foreign lands, surrounded by unfamiliar environments and often in precarious situations. And to be so far away from the familiarity and safety of their loved ones may be the most difficult of all. That’s why I humbly and proudly serve to support this amazing organization. I believe every member, volunteer, donor and supporter works tirelessly to support our mission of providing comfort, resources, and education to our troops and their families both while they are deployed in harm's way and after their return.
Operation Support Our Troops– America is on the cutting edge of not-for-profit’s who serve both the military community and the veteran community. When a service member is deployed they may receive a comforting care package. Through the Allen J. Lynch, Medal of Honor, Veteran’s Assistance Program qualified veterans may receive a grant for such things as utility payments, rent payments, automobile purchase and repair and a myriad of other needs. Grants are paid to the service provider and never directly to the veteran. Grants are meant to be a hand up and not a handout. The veteran must be involved in their journey to gainful employment and financial stability.
We also work with women veterans through the Women Veteran’s Wellness Project a part of the Lynch program. The women’s project sponsors one-day events in which women are provided access to resources specific to their special needs. During the day in addition to receiving needed information and medical screening they are also provided daycare.
Most recently we partnered with the Utility Workers Union in Chicago to assist veterans involved in the Utility Workers Military Assistance Program, (UMAP), this program provides six months of training. Following successful completion of training and a paid internship, veterans are employed by People’s Gas.
Additionally, through the Leap of Faith Program, we are able to reach out to gold star family members and provide assistance to them in coping with the loss of a loved one.
I am very proud to have my name associated with this wonderful organization.
Allen J Lynch, Medal of Honor, OSOT Board Member
Been involved with Operation Support Our Troops America on and off for the last 10-12 years. I was lucky enough to receive a box or two while I was deployed and it brought comfort knowing people at home were thinking of us. Fast forward and I enjoy helping with the organization as it expands its programs to further help veterans and service members.
Like a lot of you, I volunteer with many different groups. Operation Support our Troops America is one of my all time favorites. Time spent here is fun, fast paced and rewarding. Knowing that their mission is for our service members overseas, in harm's way and away from their families as well as those returning makes me proud to be a part of this wonderful organization. This is what America is all about.
Operation Support Our Troops- America is a great organization that helps our military, their families and our veterans. They have helped thousands of folks . This year will mark its shipment of its 2 millionth pound of Comfort and Care products shipped to our deployed active duty military personnel and will also have our 19th Leap of Faith seminar for families of the fallen.
This organization is an example of what people can do when they are truly committed to a cause. Hundreds of volunteers working together to make the lives of our military community better in any way they can. it is truly inspiring and I'm blessed to be a part of it!
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This group has hundreds of amazing volunteers that really care about the mission of supporting military and veterans. They are very well run and have some wonderful and innovative programs.
I love volunteering for OSOT! While I don't currently have any friends or family serving in the military, my father and brother both served. My brother told me how great it felt to receive goodie boxes from home - definitely a bright spot in an often bleak time. OSOT provides many such bright spots in our deployed troops lives. The staff and volunteers who I have come in contact with are wonderful, caring people. Sorting donations and packing boxes is a joy. Especially fun and satisfying was stuffing the holiday stockings. Working side by side co-workers and strangers - some of them kids learning about taking time to help others - we were sending not only treats and necessities, but lots of loving energy to those who risk their lives protecting us. The biggest event of the year - the Rockin' for the Troops concert - is a blast! Who knew doing good deeds could be so much fun? I highly recommend donating, volunteering, or at minimum attending Rockin' for the Troops to help support this more than worthy cause.
What a wonderful group of people. Not complaining and using their time to sort and pack boxes among other things for our Men and Women deployed. What a Blessing this group is. Our son Tim (Air Force) has been deployed many times away from his Family like so many men and women and has received several packages. He has shared with the guys. We Love you all for what you do. And I know as a Mom who's son is serving they all appreciate the care packages and letters too.
I have two son's actively serving in the US Navy........I found out about OSOT-America in August of 2016.....as soon as I knew this organization existed I decided I wanted to see what they were all about. I volunteered on a Saturday helping pack care packages for our troops. The thought of being able to send a little bit of comfort from home to them made me feel incredibly happy. The organization as a whole is amazing, very well run and organized. I felt welcomed from the first day I came to help out. The care they exhibit towards our deployed troops and our veterans is incredible. I look forward to many more years of being a part of OSOT-America!!
When I came back from Afghanistan in 2010 I was thinking of becoming just a stat and taking my own life. I carried a lot of guilt for living and more for coming home basically in one piece.
Through some friends who are involved with OSTA, I was able to find my way out of that deep dark hole that so many veterans find themselves in. I started giving back through OSTA and the acceptance that I found was unbelievable. I still have issues but I know that there are people, great people, who I have meet through OSTA that are there to help not only myself but many veterans. Some of the programs are beyond words. Be it helping the families of the fallen, putting on fundraising concerts, to direct assistance through the Allen J. Lynch program... this organization does it all. I am alive and moving forward in part because of OSTA and I am proud to continue serving our fellow veterans through the programs of OSTA.
I have been working with Operation Support Our Troops for almost 12 years. I became involved when a student asked if our class could find soldiers to write to & send cards. I have enjoyed working with OSOT & volunteer whenever I can.I have enjoyed attending (and recently helping behind the scenes) at the Rockin' for the Troops concerts. I miss the days when I am unable to be at the warehouse. The volunteers are fantastic. We are all committed to sending the troops the best prepared CARE packages possible. The letters, pictures & memorabilia we receive from our troops make us realize we really are making a difference to the men & women of our armed forces. I am happy & grateful to be part of such a strong, caring & committed organization.
I have been supporting OSOT-America for 10+ years personally and professionally. OSOT-America recognizes that our military folks need support while both active and after coming home, which is very important to the physical and mental health of these men and women who protect our freedom. OSOT-America has been remarkable in determining what the current climate is for our military folks and changing their programs in kind. I'm proud to continue to support this amazing charity.
It's a special feeling I get knowing that my attention and service to this organization, Operation Support Our Troops-America, is bringing a smile to the men and women fighting for peace and safety to this great United States of America. They should be honored everyday for what they do, so helping to send supplies that are greatly appreciated and needed is gratifying to me in return. I have also worked at the various fund raisers we have to raise money as well as awareness of the many opportunities for our returning troops and their families.
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This charity helps our military troops in harms way along with their family members struggling with how they are coping with a fallen worrier or with just the fact they are on foreign shores, they get the wonderful support opportunities available. It gives me great pleasure knowing I can do my part as an American the best way I know how. They all sacrifice so much and we here at home are all comfy and cozy because we know our freedom is being protected and cared for by these great men and women. The volunteers at this organization are all so friendly and great to work with. Everyone working together for one common goal....supporting our military troops.
They have sent my son a box when he was deployed--how awesome! No one there knew him or our family and the box was full of wonderful items. It's something he will never forget.
My wife and I have volunteered a couple times with Operation Support our Troops America and it has been a great experience. The communication with those who are in charge is always extremely timely and helpful. While volunteering everyone is friendly and you can really see what the cause means to the people who are working there!
I absolutely love this organization!! It is an organization that helps veterans from birth to infinity. They put the veterans at the forefront of everything and put the veterans first. They help veterans families and of the fallen. Volunteering with this organization has been an amazing time and an eye opener. I wish more young women and men get involved in this nonprofit, it has made a huge impact in my life and couldn't be happier. I cant wait to work more with these awesome volunteers and the directors of this great team they have.
