Operation Support Our Troops-America sets 2021 date for second annual Over The Edge benefit at Hotel Arista in Naperville
Naperville-based nonprofit, Operation Support Our Troops - America has announced their upcoming fundraiser, Over The Edge will be postponed from the original date of Sept. 12, 2020 to the new date of Sept. 11, 2021.
"We hung in there as long as we could. We considered conducting only the rappelling aspects of our event as we were starting to see that nearly all ground and festival activities would likely not happen as planned. Yet we did not feel good about having a limited event," said Scott Maxson, executive director of OSOT-America. "Therefore, due to the resurgence of COVID-19, its unpredictability, and in the interest of safety for all participants, guests and volunteers, OSOT-America and the Hotel Arista have mutually agreed to postpone the Over The Edge event to the new date of Sept. 11, 2021."
"OSOT is such an important cause and we love being part of its unique and fun Over the Edge event," said Molly Conklin, Hotel Arista director of catering & convention services. "We support their decision to postpone and look forward to the new 2021 date when it can be fully enjoyed by participants and onlookers."
All individuals who have registered are asked to continue fundraising as the community support and patriotism helps fund our mission to support our military community. Both established and new fundraisers have additional time to raise funds for our programs, from Comfort and Care to Veterans Assistance to Leap of Faith to G.I. Yoga.
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 a 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 our 2 millionth pound to deployed troops since inception 18 years ago. We 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 and 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.
OSOT-America began at the dining room table of founders Bill and Deb Rickert who wanted to support troops with needed supplies while serving their country and has grown into a top rated 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 deployed and the soldier's 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 servicemen and women completing multiple tours of duty, OSOT-America is committed to showing them that "We Have Not Forgotten." To volunteer or donate, call (630) 971-1150.