Operation Support Our Troops America Annual Report 2015
Organization Structure Deb Rickert, President Reporting to Deb Rickert: Jamie Nelson, Director of Development Sue Liston, Program Director Board of Directors: Justin Smitherman Chairman Deb Rickert - President Betty Krupp -Vice President Dan Dexter-Treasurer Bill Strening-Legal George Macko Fundraising Ron Darin -Fundraising Col. Greg Perchatsch Military liaison Bruce Kannry Board member/advisor Al Lynch Board member/advisor John Schwan-Board member/advisor Jennifer Kiep Board member/advisor Descriptions of each Board positions responsibilities: President/CEO - Oversees running of the organization Chairman - Main Board liaison to the President Vice-President - Acts as official secretary Treasurer - Oversees financial team Legal - Provides guidance on legal issues Fundraising - Helps develop additional funding resources Military Liaison - Provide insight into interaction with Military community Board Member/Advisor - Fill in where needed
Active Duty Programs Comfort and Care Packages Comfort and care packages are a 12 x 12 box filled with food and personal items that military members in harms way may not be able to find easily. Each box weighs approximately 25-30 pounds and is designed to be shared amongst unit members. Types of items included are canned food and snack items, personal care and hygiene products, along with cards and letters from the community. peanut butter and jelly, crackers, hard candy, razors, toothpaste and toothbrushes and Band-Aids. During 2015 there 3,317 boxes shipped containing 80,583 pounds of food and personal items. With the organization receiving 95,547 pounds of donated items. While $89,969 was spent on shipping the comfort and care packages. Christmas Stockings Volunteers make and donate Christmas stockings to us for military members in harms way. They follow a template provided by us to make sure all stockings are the same. Included with the stockings are food items, puzzle books, a DVD and ornaments. There were 3,000 stockings shipped in 2015 totaling 13,000 pounds. And to package the stockings for shipment 20 outside groups came in and helped put them together over four weekends. Additional stockings were prepared and given to Hines VA Hospital (Fisher House, House 53 and Freedom House), the USO at O Hare Airport and the Great Lakes Naval Bae. Family Resource and Support Leap of Faith Our Leap of Faith seminar is held for Families of the Fallen, those military members who died while in service to our country. This is a three-day seminar held either in Florida or North Carolina. The first day is spent working with a psychologist, the second day is spent doing a tandem jump (sky diving) and the third day is spent doing animal therapy, either dolphin or equine. 14 th Leap of Faith seminar was held during 2015. We have had 368 participants since the seminar was started in 2011. As part of the seminar attendees are given the opportunity to do a tandem jump with either the US Army Golden Knights or the All Veteran Parachute Team. And depending on the location of the seminar either spend a day at Island Dolphin Care or Old Glory Legacy Foundation for animal therapy.
Presentation team The presentation team did 12 presentations to a variety of organizations. These presentation allow us to share what we do with different groups, frequently with the group doing a donation drive at the same time. They also will go and speak at other fundraisers where we are the recipients of the fundraiser but are not involved with the planning or execution of the fundraiser. Returning Veterans GI Yoga This program is designed for the veteran and their family and is offered at no charge to the. The instructors are trained to work with individuals with either Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or Traumatic Brain Injury and adapt their classes as needed for individuals to participate. This program provides a safe place for veterans to interact and find a sense of community. Classes are held 6 days per week, in three different locations with typically 10-20 students per class. There is a retention rate of 85% of participants. And there are evolving styles of yoga and sequences to keep classes fresh. Allen J. Lynch Foundation The Allen J. Lynch Foundation provides stop gap measure funding to veterans and their families in need. The goal is to provide assistance in the recovery or education process allowing a veteran to move forward in their life. In general, veterans or their dependents will receive a one-time grant to assist in overcoming financial needs and they must be able to show they have tried to find assistance elsewhere. The Lynch Foundation was fully incorporated under Operation Support Our Troops America on January 1, 2015. During 2015 65 veterans were helped with $101,901 in funds distributed. This foundation holds at least two major fundraisers each year and is a recipient of funds from other Operation Support Our Troops America fundraisers.
OSOT-America Fundraisers Rockin For The Troops This outdoor day of celebration for our military was held on July 18, 2015 at the Cantigny Park located in Winfield, Illinois. They are a military park and our guests are able to tour the grounds and museum as part of their entrance fee. 2015 marked our 10 th anniversary of holding the event and for the ninth time Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band were the headliners. Other bands performing were Maggie Speaks, The Voices and Chicago Blues All-Stars. Over 9,000 attendees participated the day of the event and we raised over $217,000 for our programs. Red, White and Blues This event is an indoor gala held in November 2015 at PIRCH in Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, Illinois. The group sponsoring the event is from the Hinsdale, Illinois area. There were 175 attendees. Gary Fencik of the 1985 Bears was the emcee for the evening with music provided by the Chicago Blues All-Stars. Over $70,000 was raised at this event. Charity Website Ratings Operation Support Our Troops America continues to maintain its Charity Navigator 4 star rating, a Great Nonprofits 2015 Top-Rated Nonprofit and continue to be a Guidestar Exchange Gold Participant.
Cash Income 2015 versus 2014 (in $0,000 s) Our cash reserves were $1.2M as of 12/31/15 Non-Cash Donations 2015 v 2014 (in $0,000 s)
Program Expenses 2015 v 2014 (in $0,000 s) Concert Fundraiser 2015 v 2014 ( in $0,000 s)
Red White and Blues Fundraiser (in $0,000 s) Healing Field Fundraisers 2015 v 2014 (in $0,000 s) This event is not held on an annual basis and is not scheduled for 2016.
Allen J Lynch Foundation 2014 v 2015 (in $0,000 s) Administration 2015 v 2014 (in $0,000 s) for Operation Support Our Troops - America