In March of 2004 , Kristen Holloway sent an email to her best friend ’ s brother , Eric Redman , who was stationed in Iraq with the 107th Field Artillery Division . She asked if he needed anything she could send from home . He replied that the government-issued , moisture wicking clothing wasn ’ t working in the 100 + degree heat . She quickly learned that the other 12 people in his platoon were having the same problem . Holloway contacted some suppliers and found that the kind of shirts they needed cost $ 50 per shirt . Not having the funds to buy them for the entire platoon , she called family members and friends , and was able to collect enough money to supply all of them with the proper T-shirts and socks , along with lots of welcome gifts from Pittsburgh . This incident helped her to see that there was a real need that wasn ’ t being met for our troops deployed overseas . Within just four months , Operation Troop Appreciation was formed as a non-profit in July 2004 .
Her work attracted the attention of a local journalist and a story about the new organization ran in the local newspaper , which was seen by Monica Orluk . The idea of helping our troops appealed to Orluk and she cut the article out with the intention of contacting her later to volunteer . Later that day , Orluk attended an Independence Day event at the Soldiers and Sailors Museum . In the crowd of 1500 people
“ What better way to honor our veterans than to make sure that they ’ re taken care of when they come home ?” gathered there , she turned around to see , none other than Kristen Holloway standing right beside her ! She recognized her photo from the newspaper article and the two quickly struck up a friendship and Orluk became a founding member of the non-profit . It is a partnership , that seems as though it has been meant to be for the past 18 years . When Holloway retired as CEO , Orluk took over her position .
Operation Troop Appreciation is a 100 percent volunteer organization . “ We often say that we have one job that pays our mortgage and one job that pays our hearts ,” says Orluk . One way it helps servicemembers is through “ Active Duty Wishlist .” This original program is for all branches of the military , deployed anywhere in the world , performing either combat or humanitarian missions , as active duty , reservists or U . S . National Guard .
“ Active Duty Wishlist ” has helped troops deployed in the Middle East , but also those helping in Indonesia after the tsunami , in Haiti after the earthquake and in Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans . They help provide items needed by the troops , who are often serving while their own homes may have been destroyed in a natural disaster as well .
Amazingly , this grass roots organization , has helped 198,000 troops to date , and is on track to have served 200,000 troops by the end of 2022 .
In addition to Active Duty Wishlist , Operation Troop Appreciation created “ Welcome Home ” in April of 2014 .
Oftentimes , one of the most stressful periods for our servicemembers is when they are transitioning from active service to a civilian lifestyle .
Members of Operation Troop Appreciation met with several veterans ’ organizations , to find how they could provide the most help . They discovered that there was a parallel between Vietnam veterans and veterans of post 911 wars , with many of the same challenges in their transition . Upon returning home , the veterans sometimes fell into a downward spiral of homelessness and substance abuse patterns when their basic needs were not met .
One of the most difficult things to imagine are the men and women who have served their country , risking their lives — and are yet homeless with nowhere to go . A significant number of these servicemembers have permanent injuries and disabilities . When they return home , they often live in places that initially have no dishes , beds , or even personal care items because they are returning from other locations .
Operation Troop Appreciation , helps to make sure that they have the basic items needed for a comfortable home , including dishes , cookware , towels , bed linens , laundry and cleaning supplies , and a new bed , installed by the Original Mattress Factory . Having these basic life needs helps ensure that these veterans will not wind up homeless but are able to be comfortable in their own space . These items can be a major factor in helping vets to transition successfully . Through “ Welcome Home ” they also provide taxi service for veterans to get to doctor appointments , therapy counselling and job interviews . One important event by Operation Troop Appreciation is coming up September 17 and 18 . “ The Overstock Extravaganza ” gives the public a chance to buy new items from stores such as Bed , Bath & Beyond and Walmart , that have made contributions of goods to the organization . Sometimes , the items donated cannot be used for servicemember distribution . They are made available to the public at this special event for monetary donations that help the different programs , going directly to the veterans .
Another great opportunity to help Operation Troop Appreciation is the Gently Used Jewelry Sale which will be held November 11 and 12 at the South Park Community Center . On November 6 , the 17th Annual Veterans Day 5K Race which will be held the Hampton Park in Allison Park , PA .
By attending or participating in these events , you can help support veterans who have supported us . Another way to help is through corporate sponsorships , donations and of course volunteering . Because this organization operates entirely with volunteers , you must be committed to the purpose of help
As Orluk says , “ What better way to honor our veterans than to make sure that they ’ re taken care of when they come home ?”
For more information on Operation Troop Appreciation and upcoming events , visit operationtroopappreciation . org . n
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