Operation Homefront

Operation Homefront recently hosted a baby shower for 100 new and expecting military families from Kitsap County! Families enjoyed games, connected with fellow military families, and received baby bundles filled with essential items. A huge thank you to our generous sponsors and donors: Walmart, Delta Children, Huggies® Healthcare™ and Procter & Gamble for making this event possible. Your support helps us continue to serve and support our military families! 💙 #MilitaryFamilies #CommunitySupport #Gratitude

Operation Homefront kicked off its 17th annual Back-to-School Brigade®! This summer, we’ll distribute more than 20,000 backpacks filled with essential school supplies to military children nationwide. Back-to-School Brigade® eases the financial burden of back-to-school shopping for military families. We are grateful to Southern New Hampshire University, our lead sponsor, and other partners like CSX and Renewal by Andersen for their support. Additionally, Thanks to our generous partner, Dollar Tree Stores, who has supported us since 2006, we can provide these supplies at events across the country. You can also make an impact from July 5 through August 15, by donating supplies at more than 8,000 Dollar Tree locations! By the end of this year's program, we will have delivered 580,000 backpacks, saving military families over $60 million! #VeteranSupport #MilitaryFamilies

In 2007, a billboard for the National Guard caught Sarah Davis’s attention. A single mother of two, she decided to visit a recruiter and embark on a service career that has now spanned 16 years, including deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. When her full-time job ended unexpectedly, Sarah faced financial hurdles, exacerbating her PTSD symptoms. Sarah had long wanted to replace the broken single-pane windows and sliding doors in her home, compromising her family’s security and peace of mind. With no repair budget, she learned about Operation Homefront’s Critical Financial Assistance program from a friend. Thanks to our generous donors, Sarah was able to replace seven windows and a sliding door in her 1978 home. The new double-pane windows have improved energy efficiency, reducing utility costs by about 30% percent. More importantly, Sarah now feels safer and sleeps better, which helps calm her PTSD. Read the full story at https://lnkd.in/eF7aUR6i #Gratitude #WhatInspiresMe

At Operation Homefront, gratitude is at the heart of what we do. Within the military community, supporting families makes a meaningful difference in their lives. Our partner, Sesame Street in Communities, has created a sweet video featuring Abby, Rudy, and Maggie. In this clip, they play a fun game during a family errand, reminding us that any moment can be quality time and that a simple "thank you" can make family members feel valued. Watch the video and learn more about strengthening family and community bonds at https://lnkd.in/ezBQT_i3 #CommunitySupport #MilitaryFamilies #Gratitude

🎧 Listen to PsychArmor's newest podcast episode, featuring Operation Homefront CEO Brig Gen John I. Pray, Jr., USAF, Retired. In this episode, John discusses growing up as a military child, where he found his inspiration and passion for serving military families, and how Operation Homefront programs make a difference. Take a listen to the episode here, and let us know what you think below! https://lnkd.in/eMcK-HqY #MilitaryFamilies #VeteranSupport #Podcast

Attention Military Spouses! Did you know you can recoup up to $1,000 in business costs after a PCS move? This support helps keep your entrepreneurial dreams afloat by reimbursing expenses for relocation services, new equipment purchases, IT costs, and fees for business permits, registration, and inspections. Learn more about how to take advantage of this benefit at: https://lnkd.in/eXEq5szD #MilitarySpouse #CommunitySupport

Today, we highlight one of our amazing volunteers, Holly from Ohio! Meet Holly Verburg, an inspiring volunteer who joined Operation Homefront in the Fall of 2023 and is now a volunteer admin! Military Connection: Holly's commitment to our mission is personal. Her son is a Marine Corps veteran, and her daughter currently serves in the Army. Why Holly Volunteers: Holly is passionate about supporting active-duty service members. "I love Operation Homefront's connection to helping active-duty service members," she says. Most Memorable Moment: Although Holly has been with us for a while, she cherished the experience of handing out holiday gift cards this past November and meeting the recipients. We are so grateful for Holly's dedication and enthusiasm. Everything you do helps support our military families so they can thrive, not just struggle to get by! #VolunteerAppreciation #VeteranSupport #WhatInspiresMe

After her honorable discharge from the Army, Crystal Simms settled in Hope Mills, NC, with her daughter and niece. When her HVAC system failed in 2020, the family endured two years without proper heating and cooling, unable to afford the $10,000 replacement cost. As a disabled veteran and unemployed at the time, Crystal reached out to various organizations for assistance. Through her research, she discovered Operation Homefront’s Critical Financial Assistance program. Thanks to the generous support of donors, Crystal was able to install a new HVAC system, bringing much-needed relief to her family. Crystal, who served 11 years and deployed five times to Iraq and Afghanistan, is deeply grateful for the support that helped keep her family safe and comfortable. Read more at https://lnkd.in/e3_aUdXQ #MilitaryFamilies #VeteranSupport #CommunityImpact

Community, connection, and support are central to the human experience and integral in helping veterans overcome challenges, build new lives, and thrive after service. Army and Navy Veteran Wendy Ward recently visited the construction site of what will be her family's new home, awarded by PulteGroup through Operation Homefront's Permanent Homes for Veterans program--she wasn't anticipating the 'Notes of Love' she found inside the structure left by her new Ohio community, but they brought tears of joy and meant everything to Wendy. Check out the sweet messages written in the video below! Thank you to our incredible partner, PulteGroup, and the Ohio community, who showed up to wrap their arms around the Ward family; we can't wait to welcome them home. 🏡🤗 #Community #VeteranSupport

We are thrilled to announce that Karen Genneken has joined Operation Homefront's Board of Directors! Karen, a U.S. Air Force veteran with over 30 years of experience in the global financial sector, brings her expertise to support our mission of building strong, stable, and secure military families. “As a veteran, I am so proud to be a part of Operation Homefront’s important work to help military families overcome short-term difficulties, so they don’t become long-term hardships,” said Karen. Karen will play an important role in guiding our efforts to support military families facing unexpected financial hardships. $47 million in impactful relief and recurring support programming has already been delivered to tens of thousands of families, particularly as they face the challenges of transitioning out of service back to their civilian communities. Join us in welcoming Karen Genneken to Operation Homefront! 👏🏼 Read more at: https://lnkd.in/eJAZtyU4 #LifeAtOperationHomefront #MilitaryFamilies #CommunityImpact