Help wounded veterans

This is the organization I am involved with. Its really an amazing group and hope you guys consider helping them when this is over. Thanks in advance!!!!!

Butterfly


http://www.operationfirstresponse.org/

Operation First Response

Our journey has grown and changed to expand to the needs of the families we serve. OFR staff members consider it an honor and a privilege to be able to lighten the load of our wounded and their families. We have seen devotion beyond words from family members to their loved ones. Mothers, fathers, spouses and extended family and friends who have spent endless hours at the bedside of their loved one, because of the severity of many of the injuries this journey can last for several months and for others…several years.

For many of our families the financial hardship begins quickly and for others it is after the domino effect of extra costs and lost wages. At whatever stage they are in when they contact OFR we are committed to doing all we can to support these families because it is our responsibility as American citizens, the heart of OFR is exactly what makes America great… we know that our Freedoms are not free and we are committed to those who make those Freedoms possible.

There are different ways that a wounded Hero may enter into the OFR family:

Some beginning at a combat support hospital in Iraq or Afghanistan where a wounded or injured service member may receive an OFR backpack filled with a new set of clothing, travel size hygiene products, a handmade blanket and a phone card to ensure they have needed items until they return stateside.
Several unit Family Readiness Groups (FRG) from bases across the United States have heard of the services provided by OFR and they contact us directly to obtain help for their wounded.
Families search for help via the internet after their family member is wounded. Upon finding our website, families have the option of requesting our services via email or telephone.
Many wounded service members who have received OFR services refer fellow comrades to us for help.
Wounded service members and their families learn of OFR services through government organizations that provide resource information to the wounded.
OFR Volunteers visit Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC), this enables OFR to assist the families in a one on one interaction.

Whatever way any of our wounded and their families come into our path they soon learn that they are part of the OFR family. We will always try to be a voice and ready to help in the needs of those we assist.
The staff members of OFR have worked together with our wounded and their families with compassion and understanding to provide an answer to their needs. Taking the time needed to hear their concerns and find appropriate answers and resources to fulfill those needs. We have become seasoned with compassion and understanding in what our families will need to overcome the long road ahead. Realizing that a very large part of what we do is listening and gathering valuable resources ro help them with the multitude of issues that arise.

OFR financial aid varies as each case is based on individual needs ranging from:

rent/mortgage payments
payment of over due utilities
vehicle payments and repairs
groceries
clothing
air transportation
ground transportation which includes taxi rides to and from DC area airports, dollars given to purchase gas for traveling by car to medical facilities and train tickets
personal requested items by service members and their families

Most importantly OFR keeps in mind that families will continue to present new issues that will broaden the scope of services provided by OFR.
OFR staff members are honored to have become a very important part of the recovery of so many wounded Warriors, we are thought of as family and do not take that responsibility lightly. Our families know they are respected and their privacy is of the utmost importance to us. If their need is out of our financial abilities or scope we will spend as much time as possible on finding other resources that can meet that need.

It is our sincerest hope to educate Americans across the nation to the needs our wounded are facing, we believe with all our hearts that by giving them the respect and honor rightfully due them we will be able to give them the hope of a promising future. In doing this we will ensure that all that have worn the "Uniform" will be an instant reminder to all Americans that a Hero stands before us...one of courage, strength and love for their country and whether their injuries are visible or not... We will never forget... all gave some and some gave all!

Hello therealbutterfly!

Wow! Your posting was eye opening!

When I finished reading your post, the very first thing that came to my mind was the enormity of the problems the returning soldiers face.

What is the best way for someone to help? Is it done regionally, Nationally, how are things prioritized?

I hate to ask but I always ask every group that my wife and I donate to: What percentage of the donations go to administration and what percentage goes to the soldiers themselves?

I clipped and pasted you posting so that I could followup.

Thanks for the information. I would probably never have heard of Operation First Response without your posting.


Good luck to you and thank you for what you do for this organization!

I think they have 1 paid person on staff and the rest is volunteer. And I THINK the % was 90 or 95% goes to the soldier. We really get alot of things donated when we do any fundraisers. Here is an example of how generous this group is. My ex and I had a local soldier who needed help. He was about to be deployed, went to visit a friend at Temple Univ and got mugged and shot. We went to OFR to help us pay for ramps and some retrofitting for the house. Next thing I know, we have a full beef and beef going on. Food donated, beer donated, prizes like tvs and dinners etc donated. We raised over $5k. Amazing...

Not sure how they pick the people but I know we have helped veterans and families all over the country. I hope to expand it more and reach more. The returning veterans I have met are amazing. Words cant express it.....

My friend Nick decided to do a lil Walk for the Wounded as a fundraiser a few years back. Since then it has grown from a few thousand dollars to over $190k last year I think. Each year its gotten bigger and bigger. And thats just from one guy who wanted to raise a few thousand for OFR. Go figure... :-)

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