Operation Support Our Troops-America to host mini-golf outing fundraiser Oct. 3

The Naperville-based nonprofit Operation Support Our Troops-America will host a mini-golf fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 3, with tee times starting from 10 a.m. to noon at Lost Mountain Adventure Golf in Woodridge.

Tickets are $25 and include 18 holes of miniature golf, lunch, a goody bag, and a chance to win raffles. For each item, attendees bring for our Comfort and Care Package program a raffle ticket (up to 10) will be given. For a full list of our needed items, visit www.osotamerica.org.

"It's all about supporting the troops. It has been a tough year for nonprofits like ours to stay on mission. We figured it is time to have an event that is fun, outdoors and socially distanced, and supports our military community," said Scott Maxson, executive director of OSOT-America. "This is our first ever mini-golf outing and all proceeds go to our programs and operations. We hope everyone will come out and enjoy this great course before we all hunker down for the winter."

OSOT-America has developed multiple programs to support active duty military, veterans, and their families, including:

• Veterans Assistance Program which provides stop-gap 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 skydive.

• 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 active duty military personnel who are deployed in almost three-quarter of the nations across the world.

• G.I. Yoga Program teaches stress relief methods and tools to manage symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries 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. Currently, some classes have resumed to in-person instruction and some classes are being taught online on the G.I. Yoga YouTube channel.

To get details or donate, visit www.osotAmerica.org.

OSOT-America was founded in February 2003 when a group of military moms and supporters coordinated 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 shipped 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. OSOT-America 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 the nation's history, and with servicemen and women completing multiple tours of duty, OSOT-America is committed to showing them that "We Have NOT Forgotten". Volunteer opportunities are available and to donate, call (630) 971-1150 for more information.