Announcements 7/29/20

FUNDRAISER ON MONDAY, AUGUST 3rd!

EAT AT PORTILLO'S IN NAPERVILLE AND WE WILL RECEIVE 20% OF YOUR ORDER TOTAL!

Just show the below flyer before placing your order at Portillo's. Eat dinner between 5 PM-8 PM at Portillo's at 950 E. Ogden Ave. in Naperville, 60563 and they will donate 20% of proceeds back to OSOT-America. CLICK HERE for the flyer as you must show the image for us to receive the proceeds. Not valid for online orders.

SHOP AND DROP AUGUST 28-29, 2020

Our next Shop and Drop Event will be held on Friday, August 28th from 4 PM-8 PM and on Saturday, August 29th from 9 AM-5 PM at Jewel-Osco located at 127 E. Ogden Ave., Naperville, IL 60563.

If you would like to volunteer, please CLICK HERE to sign up online!

OVER THE EDGE FUNDRAISER

Our biggest fundraiser of the year, Over The Edge is coming up on September 12th. We need your help! This is a very unique opportunity to scale the side of the beautiful Hotel Arista like Spider-Man by raising funds for our programs. This signature event provides vital funds for our programs and allows us to support active duty military, veterans and Gold Star Families.

It's easy to participate, start by CLICKING HERE , then:

1) Sign Up

2) Reach out to your family, friends, co-workers, and associates to support your fundraising campaign through email and/or social media. It's extremely easy to spread the word and share what you are doing and the fundraising platform guides you through every step of the way.

Want to help, but don't want to rappel?

If rappelling is not your thing, there are many, many other ways you can help support this very important fundraiser!

1) Adopt a Rappeller

You can raise funds for a military member to rappel!

We are finalizing the details on how this will work, but please email events@osotamerica.org if you would like to support this initiative!

2) Volunteer

Volunteer on the day of the event, CLICK HERE for more info!

3) Donate Financially

If you would rather donate financially to the fundraiser, please CLICK HERE .

LITTLE SMOKE

This year Carl Pedersen will bring his 24th Annual Little Smoke Charity Fundraiser to our Over The Edge event from 9 AM-5 PM. There will be plenty of room for social distancing and to relax with a great view of the rappellers.

Little Smoke Donation is only $40 in advance (by 8-28), $50 at the event, DISCOUNTED at only $175 for 5 by 8-28. Admission is 1/2 price from 9-11 AM. Five Cigar Packs will be provided with every donation! There will be gaming tables from 12 PM-5 PM, prize drawings and silent auctions running throughout the day. For more details, please contact Carl directly by emailing him by CLICKING HERE or calling him directly at 630-935-3366.

KATIE KADAN

This year we will have Katie Kadan kicking off the event with a few songs! She has an amazing voice and is an outstanding performer and was a finalist in 2019 on a major American singing competition television series that was broadcast on a TV network. She will open events for us with the National Anthem as well as perform at Over The Edge! To learn more about Katie, please CLICK HERE .

We will also feature:

Military Displays!

More Food For Purchase Options! And Much More!

CLICK HERE to Register or Donate

LETTERS AND CARDS FOR THE TROOPS NEEDED!

Our inventory is getting very low on letters and cards to the troops that we include in our Comfort and Care packages. 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! by CLICKING HERE or call us at 630-971-1150.

CHRISTMAS IN JULY!

We are only a few short months from beginning to stuff stockings for deployed troops serving in harm's way! 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.

NEXT PACKING DATE--AUGUST 6th and 9th

Our next sorting and packing dates at the warehouse are Thursday, August 6th and Saturday, August 9th. To sign up, please CLICK HERE .

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

There are many ways you can volunteer--here are a few ideas:

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!

SOME G.I. YOGA IN-PERSON CLASSES RESUME!

UPDATE:

Some in person classes are resuming:

Monday nights in Wheaton 7:30 pm at Wheaton VFW Post #2164, 0N731 Papworth St, Wheaton, IL 60187. No class in Wheaton on the 2nd Mondays of the month.

Wednesdays 9:30 to 10:15 am, Judd Kendall VFW Post #3873 at 908 Jackson Ave, Naperville .

All other classes are on hold for the time being.

New Guidelines:

1. Sign-In required prior to class. We will send out the invite to sign up for class. If you don't see it (sometime tomorrow) please let me know. We are limiting the number of students per class and contact tracing for everyone's safety. Temperatures will be taken and waivers signed to gain access to class.

2. Props. We are requesting that you bring your own mat and blankets. If you don't have a mat, one will be issued to you. You can use a towel if you don't have a blanket, it doesn't have to be fancy, we just ask that you please wash your towel or blanket after each session every week. We can have blocks, they are easy to wipe down.

3. Masks. Masks on when you are not on your mat. Mats 6' to 10' apart. Classes will be shorter, to limit everyone's exposure.

If you are not comfortable coming to class, don't worry we will still have live yoga on YouTube by CLICKING HERE on Monday at 7:30 PM Wednesday 9:30 AM, Friday 10:00 AM. Plus already recorded videos.

Thank you,

Kate

MAKE A FINANCIAL DONATION

Please consider donating financially to help support our programs.

CLICK HERE to make a financial donation.

UPCOMING FUNDRAISERS

THIS MONDAY!!

Portillo's Fundraiser--Monday, August 3rd f rom 5 PM-8 PM.

Eat dinner at Portillo's located at 950 E. Ogden Ave, Naperville, 60563 and 20% of proceeds will be donated to us. CLICK HERE for the flyer as you must show the flyer for us to receive the proceeds!

Noodles Fundraiser--Monday, August 10th from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at 207 S. Washington, Naperville, 60540. Eat dinner at Noodles and they will donate 25% back to us. CLICK HERE for the flyer as you must show the flyer for us to receive the proceeds!

Panda Express--Friday, August 14th

Ogden and East Ave., Naperville, 60563

10:30 AM-9:30 PM

20% donated to OSOT-America

CLICK HERE for the flyer as you must show the flyer for us to receive the proceeds!

Over The Edge- - September 11th (VIP Rappelling and Media Day) September 12th Over The Edge Fundraiser at Hotel Arista. CLICK HERE for more info!

LETTER OF THE WEEK

Hi, I received your package today and we greatly appreciate everything you sent us. We had just got back from a 5 day training event and this package brought a big smile to everyone’s face! Thank you everyone for your support.

SSG Z.

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.