Announcements 5/20/20

JOIN US FOR A VIRTUAL COFFEE VIA ZOOM TOMORROW!

We will hold our next Zoom member meeting tomorrow, Thursday, May 21st to share the latest on OSOT-America's reopening plans and the latest on how we are handling the pandemic.

If you have any questions you would like to ask during the meeting, please email them to events@osotamerica.org by today and we will address as many as possible. A recording of the meeting will be available if you are unable to attend, email us at events@osotamerica.org and we will email it to you.

THANK YOU LAKESHORE RECYCLING SYSTEMS!

A BIG Thank You to Lakeshore Recycling Systems for installing a dumpster for our use at the warehouse. They have become an in-kind sponsor for us and will be collecting refuse and recycling. This will be very helpful as our staff and volunteers will no longer take home garbage to dispose of it.

INTERACTIVE MEMORIAL DAY PORTAL

We received the following information from DuPage County:

Since social distancing requirements will prevent people from gathering to celebrate Memorial Day, DuPage County has developed a website for residents to virtually gather and share stories and photos to honor the memories of fallen heroes.

The County’s IT and GIS team created the interactive memorial, which can be found at www.dupageco.org/memorial . The site allows residents to create their own Honor Post highlighting their loved one or friend, along with a photo and written tribute.

“While we may not be able to gather in person this year, we are united in our desire to honor DuPage men and women who gave their lives while serving as members of the U.S. Armed Forces,” said Chairman Dan Cronin.

The website also features quotes, poems, and videos for tribute, educational, and historical information surrounding the Memorial Day holiday.

To visit the virtual Memorial Day portal, please visit www.dupageco.org/memorial .

REOPENING THE WAREHOUSE AND OFFICE

We are looking forward to reopening soon and if all goes as planned we will be reopening the warehouse on June 1st. We will be providing more details soon, but we anticipate that we will have to follow some guidelines from government and health authorities, including:

Advance online sign-up for volunteers to indicate if they will be coming in so we can maintain proper social distancing
Maintain a capacity on the number of people who can be in the facility at one time
Use of PPE while on site
Updated cleaning procedures
On site and remote working rotation plans for OSOT-America staff

We sure do miss our volunteers and can't wait to see you!

LET'S GO OVER THE EDGE FOR THE PROGRAMS OF OSOT-AMERICA!

On Friday, September 11th we will have our Over The Edge VIP rappelling in the afternoon/early evening and on September 12th we will have our fundraising rappellers from 8 AM- 5 PM at Hotel Arista in Naperville.

Stay tuned for a special announcement about some additions to this year's event, including an amazing musical guest that will be performing at our event and the participation of Illinois International Pageants!

CLICK HERE to Register or Donate

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR G.I. YOGA CHANNEL!

A big thank you to Kate who runs our G.I. Yoga program--she has set up a YouTube channel and is teaching her classes virtually! Subscribe to the G.I. Yoga channel by CLICKING HERE . The more subscribers we have the more people we can share the restorative and stress relieving benefits of yoga! We are at 75 subscribers--help us get 25 more subscribers so we can get to 100!

Please note: there will be no class on Monday, May 25th in honor of Memorial Day.

SHOP ONLINE FOR COMFORT AND CARE PACKAGE ITEMS

--ITEMS WILL BE DELIVERED TO US WITH NO SHIPPING COST TO YOU--

A BIG Thank You to NAHU Vanguard Council for sponsoring the You Give Goods program for our Comfort and Care Packages!

Help our troops, shop today!

All goods ordered online will be shipped directly to us once the drive ends on June 13th. You will be emailed a tax receipt at the time of purchase.

Your contributions will help our Comfort and Care Package Program so we can continue to send our deployed service members items they need. Especially now as deployments are being extended to avoid troop movement and reduce COVID-19 exposure.

CLICK HERE TO START SHOPPING!

WAYS TO VOLUNTEER FROM HOME!

Here are a few ideas of how you can help:

Christmas Stockings and Ornaments Needed We need volunteer help to make ornaments and stockings (we have patterns available) for our Christmas Stocking Program that starts this fall. We do have a pattern available that we can mail out to you for the stockings--email us at info@osotamerica.org with the address you would like us to mail it to.
Make paracord bracelets for our troops, CLICK HERE for a video tutorial.
Like to knit? Knit hats and scarves for our troops to give them a comfort from home that we can add to the Comfort and Care Packages. We are currently working with one of our volunteers who is very knowledgeable and has already made many scarves with her group! CLICK HERE for guidelines she has shared with us. Thanks Barbara!
Kids can write letters, draw pictures and make cards for our Comfort and Care Packages. This is an item that troops are always appreciative of because they feel supported by the patriotic community. CLICK HERE for more information.

Call us at 630-971-1150 or email us at info@osotamerica.org with any questions or ideas of other ways you can contribute! We would love to hear from you--if you are doing something remotely for the troops, let us know!

MAKE A FINANCIAL DONATION

Please consider donating financially to help support our programs.

CLICK HERE to make a financial donation.

LETTER OF THE WEEK

Thank you for all that you do. You make our stay away from home a little easier!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Shop and Drive-- June 13th at the warehouse from 9 AM-1 PM.

Shop and Drop-- June 20 & 21 at Jewel-Osco stores in Wheaton and Downers Grove.

Save the Date for our Red, White and Blue Fundraiser on October 17th, 2020

More details coming soon!

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.