Announcements 10/21/20

GIRL'S DAY OUT SHOPPING EVENT--TODAY!

We are thrilled that Vintage Charm in LaGrange will be hosting another shopping event for us and donating 10% of sales back to us at OSOT-America! The event will today from 10 AM-5 PM and online all day at shopvintagecharm.com.

CLICK HERE to print the flyer.

HOME RUN INN PIZZA FUNDRAISER DAY--

THIS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22!

Our next restaurant fundraiser will be held this Thursday at 1280 W. Boughton Rd, Bolingbrook, 60440 from 11:00 AM-9:00 PM and 20% donated to OSOT-America, CLICK HERE for the flyer as you must show the image from your smartphone or the flyer for us to receive the proceeds!

G.I. YOGA CELEBRATES 7 YEARS!

What a milestone! We just celebrated the 7 Year Anniversary of our G.I. Yoga Program on October 14th! Thank you to Kate Fleming for volunteering her time for multiple classes and teaching on the G.I. Yoga YouTube Channel! If you haven't tried one of her classes, she is truly an excellent certified yoga instructor! To celebrate, Kate made masks for everyone with a military theme!

SUPPORTING OSOT-AMERICA IN A DIFFICULT YEAR-PART 2

It has certainly been a difficult year given the pandemic, economic hardships, and social justice reckoning for our country. And when it comes to giving to charity, a recent Gallup poll shows the percentage of Americans donating to charity has hit a new low. OSOT-America has been impacted by all of these things.

Any help that our supporters can give is really important as we enter the last quarter of 2020. Our mission to support the military community and its needs remain great.

Consider giving from your traditional IRA. If you are 70 1/2 years old or older a traditional IRA holder can give directly from their traditional IRA to OSOT-America. The amount donated directly from the IRA to a 501(c)(3) does not have to be declared as taxable income. Be sure to have checks made out to Operation Support Our Troops-America, Inc. (not to yourself). This IRA approach is good to use any year and the donations can also be used to fulfill part or all of the annual required minimum distributions. Of course, check with your tax adviser for more information.

If you are able, please consider making a donation to OSOT-America directly from your traditional IRA.

Scott Maxson

Executive Director

VETERAN'S DAY VOLUNTEERS

We need some volunteer help on Veteran's Day, November 11th from 11 AM-5 PM at Mission BBQ in Downers Grove and from 11 AM-1 PM in Naperville (could be outdoors). Please CLICK HERE to email us if you would like to volunteer!

THANK YOU ILLINOIS INTERNATIONAL PAGEANT QUEENS!

A Big Thank you to the Illinois International Pageants for coming out to pack holiday stockings for our deployed troops! They packed 355 stockings and brought in lots of candy for our holiday stockings and comfort and care packages!

They also did an event that same day to bring awareness to our cause and to our 2021 Over The Edge Fundraiser by heading over to IFLY in Naperville, CLICK HERE to see the great video they put together!

SANTA'S WORKSHOP IS OPEN!

SANTA'S WORKSHOP:

Christmas Stocking Packing

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP AS AN INDIVIDUAL

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP A GROUP

Please note: advanced registration is required by using the above links.

Thursday, 10/22 from 9 AM-1 PM
Saturday, 10/24 from 9 AM-1 PM
Thursday, 10/29 from 9 AM-1 PM
Saturday, 10/31 from 9 AM-1 PM
Thursday, 11/5 from 9 AM-1 PM
Saturday, 11/7 from 9 AM-1 PM
Thursday, 11/12 from 9 AM-1 PM
Saturday, 11/14 from 9 AM-1 PM
Thursday, 11/19 from 9 AM-1 PM
Saturday, 11/21 from 9 AM-1 PM

THE WINNERS OF THE MINI-GOLF OUTING...

Congratulations to the winners of our mini-golf outing, Mike and Margie Brien! They had an average score of 2 under par! Besides being great golfers they are proud Air Force parents!

DONATIONS NEEDED FOR HOLIDAY STOCKING PROGRAM!

Please consider donating some needed items for the stockings as last year we sent out 8,000 stockings! If you have any questions, please email us by CLICKING HERE or call us at 630-971-1150.

BECOME AN OSOT ANGEL!

MONTHLY GIVING

We recently developed a new program to make donating monthly easier called OSOT'S Angels. You can set up monthly donations for a specific amount to cover shipping costs for our Comfort and Care Package Program, or you can set up a different amount. You can do this through PayPal, by check or money order, or by credit card through our online form or call us with the information. Join OSOT's Angels and receive a special OSOT's Angels T-shirt after donating for three consecutive months! If you have any questions or need more information please call us at 630-971-1150.

$18 Each Month Ships 6 Boxes a Year!

$36 Each Month Covers the Shipping Cost of 1 Box Per Month (12 Boxes Over One Year)!

$72 Each Month Covers the Shipping Cost of 2 Care Packages Per Month (24 Per Year)!

$144 Ships 4 Boxes Per Month (48 Per Year)!

CLICK HERE For More Information!

RESTAURANT FUNDRAISERS

Chipotle--Wednesday, November 4th

1516 N. Naper Blvd, Naperville from 4:00 PM-8:00 PM and 33% will be donated to OSOT-America, CLICK HERE for the flyer as you must show the image from your smartphone or the flyer for us to receive the proceeds! Valid for in restaurant ordering and online orders with code QVEN98Y for pickup (delivery cannot be counted at this time).

Villa St. Benedict Veterans Day Fundraiser--Wednesday, November 11th

Villa St. Benedict is putting together a Veterans Day Fundraiser for OSOT-America. Place your order for a great to-go meal of house smoked brisket with beer bbq sauce, mac 'n' cheese, vegetables and cookies for $15 per meal. Order by November 4th by calling 630-852-0345 and pick up on November 11th between 12-12:30 PM at Villa Center, 5450 Subiaco Drive in Lisle.

CLICK HERE for the flyer.

SHOP ONLINE FOR ITEMS NEEDED FOR COMFORT AND CARE PACKAGES--SHIPPING INCLUDED!

Our inventory is getting extremely low on some important items for our Comfort and Care Package Program and our friends at You Give Goods have set up a way to purchase items we need online, shipping is included and all items will be delivered to our warehouse. CLICK HERE for more info!

Items we are in need of:

--Letters and Cards to the Troops. These are one of the most valuable items because the letters and cards of support remind them how much they are appreciated and valued. If you are able to write letters and cards for us or can organize a group to help, please let us know!

CLICK HERE for the full list of products we need or call us at 630-971-1150.

MAKE A FINANCIAL DONATION

Please consider donating financially to help support our programs.

CLICK HERE to make a financial donation.

LETTER OF THE WEEK

Dear OSOT-America,

Thank you, thank you, thank you! What a pleasant surprise today to have received a care package from your organization and l that have written kind words and all the items included in the box.

I am a hospital corpsman chief (HMC) in the Navy reserves and have been here 4 months and have 2 more to go before I return home to Texas. I've been in the Navy 23 years, all as a reservist and this is my 3rd deployment. I'm here taking care of our sailors, soldiers, airman, coast guards, and marines providing physical therapy. I am a physical therapist assistant back home doing home care to the elderly. I took a few items out, but will share this care package with my junior sailors.

Thank you all again so very much! It is well appreciated!

May God bless you all!!

SCOTT MAXSON'S CONTACT INFO

If you have a question for Scott Maxson, OSOT-America's Executive Director please email him at smaxson@osotamerica.org by CLICKING HERE or call 630-971-1150.

SUICIDE PREVENTION

We have experienced an increased level of interaction with veterans through our Veterans Assistance Program as well as our other programs regarding depression and suicidal thoughts. If you know a veteran that would be in need of help, please see the contact numbers you can share:

Military One Source

1-800-342-9647

National Suicide Prevention Hotline

1-800-273-8255

CHARITY WATCHDOG RATINGS AND AWARDS

OSOT-America is proud to have top ratings from Charity Navigator, Great Nonprofits, and a Guidestar Platinum Award...and our newest award from Chamber 630 for the Best Not-For-Profit Charity.