Operation Support Our Troops-America plans 'Shop and Drive' event May 5 to help deployed military members
Operation Support Our Troops -America will host a collection event called "Shop & Drive" to replenish needed items for the nonprofit's Comfort and Care Package Program. The event will be held on Tuesday, May 5, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at OSOT-America's warehouse located at 1989 University Lane, Suite A, in Lisle. A full list of needed items can be found at www.osotamerica.org.
How it works:
1. Shop for items for the Comfort and Care Package Program.
2. Drive to the warehouse on Tuesday, May 5, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
3. Drop off your items, following social distancing protocol, with staff, or open your vehicle trunk and staff will remove items for contactless drop-off. They also welcome a financial donation. The funds will be used to purchase items for "Comfort and Care Packages."
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, other planned collection drives have been canceled or postponed and supplies are running low. With overseas troop movement coming to a halt, many military members are unable to get basic hygiene items as stores on base are depleted due to the unplanned deployment extensions.
"Since the Illinois stay-at-home order began, we have balanced the safety of our volunteers and supporters with continuing our mission to support deployed troops. Our key staff members continue to safely pack care packages," said Scott Maxson, executive director of OSOT-America. "And now we are also sending packages to two stateside military bases that have stranded personnel that have completed training and cannot leave the bases during the pandemic. As a result, we need help to restock supplies to keep sending hygiene and food items to our troops and we hope our 'Shop & Drive' event can help us help the troops."
OSOT-America has developed multiple programs to support active-duty military, veterans, and their families, including:
• Veterans Assistance Program which provides stopgap measure funding to veterans and their families in need who are experiencing financial crisis.
• Leap of Faith Program which helps support Families of the Fallen through a three-day grief healing collaboration seminar "Leap of Faith" with the Army Golden Knights Parachute Team or the All Veteran Parachute Team which provides a growth experience based around a tandem sky-dive.
• Comfort and Care Package Program for deployed troops serving in harm's way. In 2019, OSOT-America hit a milestone by shipping its 2 millionth pound to deployed troops since inception 18 years ago. They continue to support our active-duty military that are deployed in over 70% of the world's countries.
• G.I. Yoga Program teaches stress relief methods and tools to manage symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury to veterans and their family members by using the practice of yoga. All classes are taught by certified yoga instructors. Free to veterans and their families. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic classes are being taught online on the G.I. Yoga YouTube channel.
Visit www.osotAmerica.org to donate and for more information.