Kickoff for Operation Support Our Troops' rappelling fundraiser May 22
Operation Support Our Troops-America, a Naperville-based nonprofit organization, will hold a kickoff event May 22 to build support for a September fundraiser called Over the Edge.
The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 22, at Hotel Arista, 2139 City Gate Lane in Naperville and will include lunch along with appearances by guest speakers Naperville Mayor Steve Chirico, Hotel Arista leaders, sponsors and OSOT Executive Director Bill Rickert.
On Sept. 14, OSOT-America will partner with Over the Edge Global to allow participants to rappel down the side of the hotel to raise money to support members of the military.
Along with rappelling, there will be food, music and interactive displays designed to honor those serving in the military and their families.
Individuals wishing to participate in the Sept. 14 event must commit to raise a minimum $1,000 to secure their rappelling spot. There will be incentives for reaching higher fundraising milestones. Corporate team and sponsorship entries also are available.
OSOT-America has developed multiple programs to support active duty military, veterans and their families, including:
• The Allen J. Lynch Medal of Honor Veteran's Assistance Program provides stopgap funding to veterans and their families in need. The goal is to provide assistance in the recovery or education process allowing a veteran to move forward in their life providing a hand up - not a hand out.
• Helping support Families of the Fallen (grief healing seminars in addition to the collaboration seminar "Leap of Faith" with the Army Golden Knights Parachute Team and the All Veteran Parachute Team which provides a growth experience based around a tandem sky-dive).
• Comfort and Care Package Program for troops serving in harm's way. In 2019 OSOT-America shipped its 2 millionth pound to deployed troops since its inception 16 years ago. The group continues to support active duty military members who are deployed in more than 70% of the world's countries.
• G.I. Yoga, which provides a safe community of fellow veterans and their families to learn yoga to release stress, sleep better, ease aches and pains, lower blood pressure and increase strength, flexibility, balance and focus.
Yoga is frequently becoming a "tool in the toolbox" of veterans and their family members seeking physical fitness and alternative ways to manage the symptoms of PTS, TBI and general stress.
OSOT- America provides certified G.I. Yoga-trained teachers, mats and yoga blocks and straps at classes throughout the state. These classes are free to active military, veterans and their family.
OSOT-America began at the dining room table of founders Bill and Deb Rickert who wanted to support the troops with needed supplies while serving their country and has grown into a nonprofit charity with a four-star rating from Charity Navigator (www.charitynavigator.org), Great Non-Profits (www.greatnonprofits.org), a Platinum Award from Guidestar (www.guidestar.org) and the Best of 630 award from Chamber 630 for the most inspirational nonprofit organization.
The mission of OSOT-America is to support the morale and well-being of American forces by providing comfort, resources and education to all involved both while they are deployed and upon their return.
As a volunteer-based nonprofit organization, OSOT-America provides the opportunity for community members to express their appreciation and also 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, OSOT-America is committed to showing them that "We Have NOT Forgotten."
Volunteer opportunities are available.
For details, visit www.osotAmerica.org.
If you go
What: Operation Support Our Troops-America kickoff event
When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 22
Where: Hotel Arista, 2139 City Gate Lane, Naperville
Info: www.osotAmerica.org