Operation Troop Appreciation

OTA is an amazing selfless organization that has helped thousands and thousands of troops overseas. Care packages, exercise equipment, Christmas cards and something as simple as letters of encouragement from OTA have helped so many overseas far away from home. This is an amazing organization that has very little overhead.

Excellent organization - our armed services men and women really feel appreciated and loved through their efforts. Amazing and I am proud to be a volunteer even in a small way. :)

In 2004, I decided it was time to do something for others and my preference was to help the troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. I read an article about OTA founder, Kristen Holloway-Querriera, on the 4th of July and how she was starting a non-profit called Operation Troop Appreciation. I cut out the article intending to call her the next day and proceeded to an event at Soldiers and Sailors Hall in Pittsburgh. In a crowd of 1,500 people, Kristen was standing next to me. The rest is history. 6 years, 80,000 troops and $1M in monetary and in kind donations later, I am President of OTA and couldn't be more proud of the work we do, the people who give tirelessly in support of our troops and of the troops we serve.

In 2004, my unit received 420 Under Armour socks and t-shirts, which helped our convoy security personnel survive the summer heat in Iraq. We were amazed that such an organization wanted to help us, and show their appreciation for what we were doing for our country. Since my return to the States in 2005, I have been a volunteer. I have seen OTA provide various supplies and equipment to troops all over the world. I live over 4 hours from Pittsburgh, but go there several times a year to help with different events, paying the expenses out of my own pocket. If I did not believe in this organization, I would not take the time to drive to Pittsburgh. This is a great organization with great volunteers, serving the greatest citizens of our county, our service men and women.

I have seen the amazing work OTA dose for our brave men and women. The troops that they have help have sent those touching letters of thanks. I have been volunteering with charity for two years now. This organization has not just helped the troops but helped me see that there are true wonderful people in the world that really want to help our fellow man. I am proud to part of OTA.

OTA has helped my entire platoon while serving in Wardak and Logar Province Afghanistan. They sent all of us essentials for the climate and added help for GPS systems that we were able to use to identify not only areas in the province but IED's as well. I feel OTA is extremely helpful and very much deserving for the help in the future My overall view of OTA is OUTSTANDING AND A GREAT ORGANIZTION FOR ALL OF US SOLDIERS in this time of war with other countries

I serve on the Board of Directors of an outstanding nonprofit organization called Operation Troop Appreciation (OTA). The mission of OTA is to sustain the morale of deployed troops by providing them with “wish list” care packages. The wishes consist of everything from hygiene items and snacks to blankets, gloves, GPS systems and other tactical gear that’s hard to come by within the military supply system.

Since its inception in 2004, OTA has successfully granted wishes for nearly 800 units comprised of more than 80,000 service members. While OTA is based in Pittsburgh, the organization supports all types of units, active and Reserve, including all branches of the military regardless of where they are stationed. OTA is comprised exclusively of volunteers and 98.5 of all financial contributions go directly to support our troops overseas. Over the years, more than $1 Million of support has been sent to our troops.

The volunteers with OTA are the most patriotic people I've ever met. I've been a member of the Army Reserve for more than 26 years and I'm humbled at the dedication and level of patriotism with this fine folks who give of themselves freely and expect nothing in return.

Operation Troop Appreciation (OTA) is a 100% volunteer organization that support deployed members of the military. It's 98.5% efficiency rating means you know exactly where your money is going- to the brave men & women protecting us! I have volunteered for OTA for about 2 years now, and it has been a fantastic experience. You know you are making a difference in every box you pack and every Thank you card you have signed for a soldier. It is so personally satisfying that it almost doesn't feel like you are volunteering! I have had the opportunity to meet the Officers and Board Members of OTA, and their heartfelt and unwavering dedication to our men & women of the Armed Forces is inspiring. They throw their hearts into this organization- and it shows! They set the example for the volunteers. There is no task too big or too menial they will not tackle with a smile. What OTA has accomplished in almost 7 years as a 501c3 is amazing- over 80,000 deployed soldiers have been granted "wish list" items. I know as long as we have soldiers deployed overseas, OTA will be there to serve them and honor their sacrifice.