Operation Troop Appreciation fulfills military "wishes"

Website

http://www.operationtroopappreciation.org/

What is your idea to address an unmet need of service members, veterans and their families?

Operation Troop Appreciation's mission is to build and sustain the morale of deployed troops, enabling them to complete their missions with the assurance that the American public supports and appreciates their selfless service and daily sacrifices. We do this by providing them with “wish list” items that contribute to their morale, we present a united front to our deployed military by supporting them as individuals, for every one of them: - Memorializes our nation's past - Sacrifices to maintain our nation's culture and freedoms - Ensures the safety and freedom of our nation's future generations

What specific population do you plan to work with? What is their unmet need?

OTA serves deployed military from all service branches. A soldier we recently helped says it best: "there is still a full scale war going on here in Afghanistan...a lot of times when you move into a new area it’s not like there is a base and facilities already set up for us... we have to build from the ground up. It can take many months to get all the necessary resources to have a decent quality of life. And that is why I believe organizations like yours are so important." Challenges and risks are high for our forces in harm’s way in Afghanistan. The rugged nature of the landscape and harsh climate creates an unforgiving environment for equipment, gear and the troops as well. OTA fulfills troop needs by sending them the gear they need.

What is your implementation plan, and how would the $1,000 be used?

Deployed servicemen and women can to to OTA’s website and complete a “Troop Request” form. The request is sent to OTA officers and board members, many of whom are active or retired military. An OTA POC works with the service member to refine and prioritize the list. Often we work with the supply sergeant or CO to see if the items can and should be provided by the military. Once a month, OTA volunteers purchase and ship the requested items. The $1,000 would be used to purchase snack, hygiene and tactical gear, and postage.

How are volunteers the key ingredient to your solution?

Operation Troop Appreciation is the textbook example of a service non-profit. OTA is 100% volunteer, no one receives compensation. OTA volunteer staff are "paid" in the pictures and letters of thanks we receive from the troops. Without volunteers, there would be no OTA! OTA officers volunteer 20-30 hours a week, on top of full-time jobs. OTA Founder and CEO Kristen Holloway has been the recipient of the Presidential Volunteer Service award, the highest honor for volunteers in the country. Kristen founded OTA with the belief that our volunteer service reflects the service of our troops, and that they should have the support of the American public behind them as they go about their dangerous missions.

Discussion

6