Charity for Charities

Operation Homefront – Georgia Chapter

What is the mission of Operation Homefront – Georgia Chapter and how was it founded?

Our mission is to support the troops and help the families they leave behind as well as the wounded warriors during deployments. Operation Homefront was founded in 2002 and was a spouse generated idea. Following 9/11 with all the deployments inevitable it was realized that these families would need someone to look after them while their loved ones were deployed.

Tell us something we probably don't know about Operation Homefront – Georgia Chapter.

Operation Homefront – Georgia is proud to say that our National Office, which includes our 31 chapters, has received a signed Memorandum of Understanding from the Department of Defense. We are one of only a handful of organizations that has one and it only took four years to get it.

What has been the the biggest factor in the success of Operation Homefront – Georgia Chapter?

Our giving these families a hand up (not a hand out) has made a difference in their lives. We can see what our organization has done for them.

Share one or two stories about people Operation Homefront – Georgia Chapter has helped.

We received an application from a wounded soldier who returned home and transitioning out of the military into the VA system due to his injuries. Due to the length of the process it took for him to get his VA rating he went several months with no pay. He lost his home and everything in it. We helped him obtain a mobile home to live in.

Another, we had the family of a deployed E-5 who had 3 children. Two with autism and one with seizure disorders. Their car broke down and was not able to be repaired. It was their only means of transportation to get these three children to and from their doctors appointments. We were able to get a car donated for them.

Other than donations, what can people do to help Operation Homefront – Georgia Chapter and its mission? 

We can always use volunteers and service providers. Our organization would not survive without them.

Comments By

Vicki Sarracino
South Eastern Regional Director
Operation Homefront – Georgia Chapter

Operation Iraqi Children

What is the mission of Operation Iraqi Children and how was it founded? 

Operation Iraqi Children (OIC) is a grassroots program that provides concerned Americans with a means to reach out to the children in Iraq and to help support our troops’ efforts to assist the Iraqi people. OIC was co-founded in 2004 by actor Gary Sinise (Forrest Gump, CSI: NY) and author Laura Hillenbrand (Seabiscuit: An American Legend). Through the School Supply Kit Program, Americans can help Iraqis by gathering school supplies in local drives and then sending them to the OIC Warehouse for transport to Iraq, where our soldiers will take them to Iraqi villages.

Recently, OIC has expanded its outreach program to children in Afghanistan, and children in the United States who were adversely affected by Hurricane Katrina. In recognition of our efforts, OIC was voted “Best Bridge Builder” of 2006 by Reader’s Digest Magazine and has received an official letter of endorsement from the White House. 

Tell us three things we probably don't know about Operation Iraqi Children.

1. OIC has expanded its outreach program to children in Afghanistan, and children in the United States who were adversely affected by Hurricane Katrina. In recognition of our efforts.
2. This Fall, OIC will begin sending shipments to Djibouti..

3. OIC was voted “Best Bridge Builder” of 2006 by Reader’s Digest Magazine and has received an official letter of endorsement from the White House.

What has been the biggest factor in the success of Operation Iraqi Children?

I believe that the reason for the success of our program is that we are a non-partisan organization and can find support from all types of families and organizations. Education is extremely important and these donations secure learning opportunities for this generation.

Other than donations, what can people do to help Operation Iraqi Children and its mission?

Supporters of OIC can visit the OIC Warehouse in Kansas City to put together School Supply Kits and prepare shipments.

Comments By

Paige Leitnaker
Managing Director
Operation Iraqi Children

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