Our mission is to support the morale and well-being of American forces by providing comfort, resources and education to them and their families both while they are deployed in harm’s way and after their return. As a volunteer based non-profit organization, we provide the opportunity for our community members to express their appreciation and offer support for our troops. Engaged in the longest war of our country’s history and with our servicemen and women completing multiple tours of duty, we are committed to showing them that “We Have NOT Forgotten.”
Operation Support Our Troops-America was founded in February 2003, when Deb Rickert spearheaded a group of military moms and supporters to coordinate a Valentine’s Day project to ship boxes of items to the troops already deployed to support the war in Afghanistan and Iraq. The idea for the project stemmed from the reality that while out in the field or in remote places, troops were unable to get some core necessities. As word spread about the project the community pitched in and helped fill the boxes. The momentum continued to build and items for the boxes kept coming in even after the project was over. As the operation evolved it outgrew the founder’s home. That was when a Vietnam era veteran stepped in and donated warehouse space for the comfort and care packages to be assembled and shipped. At this time, we have over 2 million pounds of comfort and care items (that’s more than 67,000 packages) to troops deployed in dangerous places around the world.
Operation Support Our Troops-America has become one of the largest volunteer-based military support organizations in the country. Over 500 volunteers give well over 10,000 hours each year in service. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, we endeavor to provide comfort and care at home and away to our active duty military, families and veterans. Members of the military community from all across the United States have been served by the programs of Operation Support our Troops America, which now includes Leap of Faith, Veterans Assistance Program, and G.I. Yoga in addition to our Comfort and Care Package program.
Our mission is to support the morale and well being of American forces by providing comfort, resources and education to them and their families both while they are deployed in harm’s way and after their return. We accomplish this by providing a link between the citizens and military personnel so that everyone has the opportunity to express their support. This allows us to send comfort packages of items that are not readily available to our troops in their deployed locations, along with personal letters, cards and notes of support from the community at large.
We are also dedicated to supporting our veterans and families of fallen through our programs that offer hope and healing as well as facilitate awareness in the community as to their needs.
Please be assured that Operation Support Our Troops-America strictly adheres to Department of Defense standards and guidelines with respect to mailing/sending packages to our Troops overseas:
OSOT-America has been honored with prestigious top ratings from Charity Navigator, Great Nonprofits, and a Platinum Award from Guidestar. These are the leading charity watchdog organizations.
The OSOT-America “Case For Support” gives more detailed information about our programs and why your donation matters.
For our complete “Case For Support” document, Please CLICK HERE.
At OSOT-America, all of our members are parents, professionals, and retirees —average Americans banding together to support the welfare and morale of members of the armed forces and their families across the U.S. through comfort, education, and resources. Simply put, we are you.