OSOT-America Open House

Operation Support Our Troops – America is opening their doors to the community to share what they do to support active duty military and veterans. The Open House event will be held on Saturday, October 21st from 9 am - 1 pm at the care package packing warehouse located at 1989 University Lane, Suite A in Lisle, IL 60532. This event will give the community an overview of what the nonprofit does. Military families and volunteers will be sharing about the programs, including: Comfort and Care packages, Allen J. Lynch Medal of Honor Veteran’s Assistance, Leap of Faith, and G.I. Yoga. All ages are welcome as guests are invited to make an ornament for troops serving in harm’s way and write letters and draw pictures for them to be included in their Santa's Workshop Stocking program. The stockings are filled with goods that are donated from the community, including iTunes gift cards, snacks, and other items the troops enjoy receiving. Learn how volunteers are able to pack 25 pounds of goods into the Comfort and Care packages. Refreshments will be served, including hot dogs, soft drinks, and dessert. OSOT-America has been in business for nearly 15 years.

OSOT-America is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization which provides the following programs to active duty military and veterans:
· Comfort and Care Package Program
To date, over 1.8 million pounds of items have been sent to deployed troops. Each box is addressed to an individual service member but is designed to be shared with nine other troops. Our program is ready to respond to specific need requests coming from units in remote areas, Chaplains and field hospitals.
· Leap of Faith Program
The Leap of Faith program is a three day, intensive grief seminar, done in partnership with the U.S. Army Golden Knights or the All Veteran Parachute Team and combines seminar time, peer support, dolphin or equine therapy, and a tandem sky dive as a way to help Gold Star family members move forward in the grieving process.
· Allen J. Lynch Medal of Honor Veteran’s Assistance Program
Founded to provide assistance in the recovery or education process for a veteran experiencing financial hardship through no fault of their own. Assistance is provided one time and is voted on by an oversight committee after reviewing the application and documentation. Additionally, job search support and help connecting veterans to jobs is provided.
· G.I. Yoga Program
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, 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 humbly began in 2003 at the dining room table of president and founder, Deborah Rickert who wanted to support the troops with needed supplies while serving their country and has grown into a non-profit charity with a four star rating from Charity Navigator (www.charitynavigator.org), top ratings from Great Non-Profits (www.greatnonprofits.org), and has received a Platinum Award from Guidestar (www.guidestar.org).

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. As our servicemen and women are completing multiple tours of duty, OSOT-America is committed to showing them that “We Have NOT Forgotten.” Volunteer opportunities are available. Visit www.osotamerica.org for more information.