SHOP AND DROP THIS FRIDAY AND SATURDAY!
Thank you to Jewel-Osco as we are resuming our Shop and Drop Event! Our volunteers will be at the front of the store with a list of needed items for our Comfort and Care Package Program. Just Shop for the items and then Drop them off with our volunteers.
WELCOME RICH WILKIE!
Welcome to Rich Wilkie who has just joined the OSOT-America Team and will be the new Mission Engagement Coordinator. You may have already met Rich as he has been part of our presentation team. Welcome Rich!
THE WAREHOUSE AND OFFICE ARE OPEN!
The warehouse is open! Please visit our COVID-19 Policies and Procedures web page with all the details by CLICKING HERE . You will find the advance online sign-up sheet to volunteer in the warehouse as well as other details.
THANK YOU ILLINOIS INTERNATIONAL PAGEANTS!
A BIG Thank You to the Illinois International Pageants team for coming out to the warehouse on Saturday, June 6th to help sort items and pack boxes! At the end of the event 145 boxes were packed--a total of three pallets are on their way to deployed military members! We were very appreciative of the help as we are seeing an increase in Comfort and Care Package requests due to extended deployments.
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!
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Here are a few ideas of how you can help:


  • Do you have artistic, carpentry, or woodworking skills? Please email us and let us know as we need your help on a few projects! Please email us by CLICKING HERE and we can discuss some ideas we have!
  • Make neck coolers for the troops! CLICK HERE for detailed directions. We have plenty of beads at the warehouse. If you would like to make the neck coolers and would like the beads please email Sue by CLICKING HERE and she can set up a date and time for them to be picked up.
  • 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 updated 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!
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!
MAKE A FINANCIAL DONATION
Please consider donating financially to help support our programs.
LETTER OF THE WEEK
Dear OSOT,
Thank you so much for the package! I's a funny story, actually. I was expecting a package from my mother for a couple of days, so, when I checked the mail room today there was not only one, but two packages waiting form me!  There was plenty of goodies in there that I helped myself to and gave the rest to the other Marines in my shop. I should tell you a little about myself, my name is Barrett and I am currently deployed in the Middle East with Second Battalion, Seventh Marines. I'm a Corporal and I've been in for over three years. I've been on deployment for over seven months. Hopefully I'll be able to go home soon. I hope y'all are staying safe back home for threat nasty corona virus.

My favorite thing from the package was the Grunt Style t-shirt. I'll cherish it for as long as I can. I'm sorry that I don't have much to give you, but I've enclosed in this letter a water bottle label. I know it isn't much but maybe it's a cool souvenir fro the Middle East? either way, I'm very grateful for your support and the love you certainly sent in this package. We can beat this corona thing together!

God Bless!
Cpl FB
USMC

UPCOMING EVENTS
Shop and Drop-- Friday, June 19th and Saturday, June 20th at Jewel-Osco, 6215 Main Street, Downers Grove, IL 60516. Please CLICK HERE to sign up to volunteer!

Shop and Drive-- Saturday , June 27th from 9AM-1PM at our warehouse parking lot located at 1989 University Lane, Suite A, Lisle, IL 60532. Please CLICK HERE to see our list of most needed items.

Over The Edge-- September 11th (VIP Rappelling and Media Day) September 12th Over The Edge Fundraiser at Hotel Arista. CLICK HERE for more info!
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. 
Operation Support Our Troops-America
www.osotamerica.org
630-971-1150
MEDIA LINKS--2 Million Pounds of Comfort and Care 2019
CLICK HERE to watch Stacey Baca from ABC 7 Chicago at our warehouse.
CLICK HERE to see the AM560 The Answer interview.
CLICK HERE to watch the NC-TV segment.
CLICK HERE to hear the WBBM Newsradio interview.

MEDIA LINKS--Over The Edge Fundraiser 2019
CLICK HERE for the ABC-7 Chicago News segment with Stacey Baca
CLICK HERE for the NC-17 TV segment
CLICK HERE for The Naperville Sun article
CLICK HERE for The Daily Herald article

PHOTOGRAPHY LINKS--Over The Edge Fundraiser 2019
CLICK HERE for images from Friday's VIP/Media event.
CLICK HERE for images from Saturday's event.