Operation Yellow Ribbon; a PJ inspired non-profit to boost morale of our Brave women/men in uniform

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Comments

  • armyfanarmyfan Posts: 342
    Thank you to all of our veterans today. Thank you to all who are currently serving our country. None of us would be where we are without your contributions. Go army, navy, air force, marines, coast guard, reserves, etc!!!!!!!!!! Thank you.
  • cutzcutz Posts: 11,400
    edited December 2016
    http://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/tabs/good-doers/to-the-troops-with-care-from-operation-yellow-ribbon/article_33cc1556-c6c2-11e6-b9f8-bf6bf092f6b4.html

    GREAT work Dave!!

    I don't think the link stays up for more the 24 hours, so:

    To the troops, with care, from Operation Yellow Ribbon

    For several years, Operation Yellow Ribbon of South Jersey has tirelessly shown its support for U.S. troops stationed in the war-torn Middle East by sending them care packages and giving them a warm welcome home when they finally return from deployment.

    For the nonprofit organization’s volunteers, it’s the least they can do to show their thanks for the sacrifices soldiers make to secure the freedoms Americans enjoy.

    “We don’t forget,” said Dave Silver, Operation Yellow Ribbon's co-founder and president.


    Silver pointed out that U.S. troops have been stationed in Afghanistan for more than 15 years and in Iraq for more than 13 years.

    “These guys and girls are now on seven, eight, nine deployments over that time,” he said. “It’s a toll.”

    Operation Yellow Ribbon is actually an offshoot of the Yellow Ribbon Club, founded in 2005 by former Evesham resident Leslie Drummond and a group of neighbors who wanted to show support for her son and his Army unit, which was then stationed in Iraq. In 2012, Drummond and her husband decided to pass the torch onto the numerous other groups that had formed for a similar purpose.

    It was then that a handful of Yellow Ribbon Club volunteers, including Silver, also an Evesham resident, decided to continue the Drummonds’ positive vibe. Operation Yellow Ribbon was created.

    “Every year, more and more people realize the purpose of what we’re doing,” Silver said. “It makes so many people feel good to be part of it that each year it just gets bigger and bigger.”

    The nonprofit partners with the Warriors' Watch Riders and other patriotic groups as well as local first responders and municipal organizations to provide a “rock star” welcome home for soldiers returning from active duty in the Middle East. The celebration usually features firetrucks, a motorcycle escort, and a crowd of flag-waving supporters.

    The group also collects donated items year round for its care packages, in response to the numerous requests it receives on a regular basis from troops and their friends and families. The items are shipped directly to the soldiers.

    “We always thought how nice it would be to get your own piece of mail while you’re in harm’s way, away from your loved ones,” Silver said.

    Operation Yellow Ribbon ships care packages two to three times every week. Last year, it spent nearly $40,000 on shipping costs and about the same amount on buying care package items when donations were low. In 2015, the group sent just over 50,000 pounds of packages, a significant jump from its first year, when 33,000 pounds were shipped. The organization has already surpassed last year’s amount.

    “The support in the area, through businesses, through schools, churches, synagogues, youth groups, Scouting groups, it’s just mind-boggling how everybody just gets on board,” Silver said. “It just keeps growing. It’s just amazing.”

    Silver said social media has played a huge part in the growth of Operation Yellow Ribbon's outreach. It has become a forum for the group to market itself, as well as to communicate recipients' gratitude for their care packages.

    Silver said he would love for Operation Yellow Ribbon to be taken under the wing of a corporate sponsor, which would provide him with the funds and time to focus more on marketing its mission. Even more appealing to Silver would be seeing the group’s efforts come to an end.

    “That would mean that everybody’s home,” he said. “That’s the end game I want.”


    Post edited by cutz on
  • hedonisthedonist standing on the edge of forever Posts: 24,524
    Awesome and uplifting read :)
  • elwayvedderelwayvedder South Jersey Posts: 9,040
    Thanks @cutz . That was nice of you to share!
  • elwayvedderelwayvedder South Jersey Posts: 9,040
    As you may know Operation Yellow Ribbon is an all-volunteer 501c3 US Service Member support group that sends over 50,000 pounds of morale boosting care packages each year to our brave women and men serving in the US Armed Forces and deployed to the Middle East.

    OYR is truly inspired by the activism of Pearl Jam and the amazing give and take relationship between the fan and the band.

    We've had many Pearl Jam fans or family members of forum members here be care package recipients in the past.
    So many of you have helped in the past and have been beyond generous.  With that said, I come here asking for your help again today:

    Please vote for OYR by visiting https://www.thewawafoundation.org/hero-award/

    We truly need your help. We try not to ask for too much during the year but this is a time we TRULY NEED YOUR HELP.

    We are beyond thrilled to announce that Operation Yellow Ribbon of South Jersey is one of four finalists for this year's Wawa Foundation Hero Award! OYR has a 1 in 4 chance of winning $50,000 which will truly help us with our mission of providing morale boosting care packages and smiles to our brave U.S. Military Personnel deployed to the Middle East.

    1) Please vote for OYR by visiting https://www.thewawafoundation.org/hero-award/

    Voting is limited to once per email address. You can vote June 15th through June 29th. The Wawa Foundation Hero Award will be announced on Independence Day morning as part of a ceremony on July 4th in front of Independence Hall. The recipient of The Wawa Foundation Hero Award will receive a $50,000 grant and the three runners up will receive $10,000 each.

    Thank you for "all that you give and nothing you take"


    For the Troops,

    -EV

  • nuzzer1nuzzer1 New Jersey Posts: 1,426
    easy quick vote - took two seconds for a f-ing awesome cause....good luck @elwayvedder
  • elwayvedderelwayvedder South Jersey Posts: 9,040
    nuzzer1 said:
    easy quick vote - took two seconds for a f-ing awesome cause....good luck @elwayvedder
    thank you my friend!
  • F Me In The BrainF Me In The Brain this knows everybody from other commets Posts: 30,586
    Just got back after a week and a half away and saw this....daily voting commences!
    The love he receives is the love that is saved
  • elwayvedderelwayvedder South Jersey Posts: 9,040
    Thanks Brett! Just need to vote once per email address
  • F Me In The BrainF Me In The Brain this knows everybody from other commets Posts: 30,586
    Thanks Brett! Just need to vote once per email address
    Good point, can vote more than 1x per day!
    The love he receives is the love that is saved
  • cutzcutz Posts: 11,400
    edited July 2017
    CONGRATS, Dave. Well deserved!!!

    Operation Yellow Ribbon of South Jersey honored for its "hero" work

    EVESHAM − Volunteers at a local nonprofit that is on the front lines of caring for local service members had 50,000 reasons to celebrate over the Independence Day holiday.

    Operation Yellow Ribbon of South Jersey won the grand prize of $50,000 in the Wawa Foundation Hero Award competition at a Fourth of July celebration at Independence Hall in Philadelphia on Tuesday. The township-based nonprofit prepares care packages for troops serving in the Middle East and coordinates welcome-home celebrations for veterans.

    It was the largest monetary gift Operation Yellow Ribbon of South Jersey, founded in 2012, has ever received from a single source, whether by donation, award or other means, according to president and founder Dave Silver.

    “It’s jaw-dropping. We’ve never seen something like this,” the Evesham resident said.

    Operation Yellow Ribbon of South Jersey will use the award funds to continue supporting troops overseas.

    Around 150 care packages filled with basic necessities like toothbrushes, shaving cream and deodorant, as well as special reminders of home like Tastycakes and cookies,  donated by the community are mailed each month. Most weigh between 30 and 40 pounds and are assembled by volunteers, Silver said.

    “We send enough to make sure that they can share it with their battle buddies and spread the wealth,” he said.

    Volunteers also organize about 50 homecoming celebrations each year for local veterans returning home from service overseas. On Sunday, Operation Yellow Ribbon hosted a celebration for U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Christopher Peters, of Maple Shade, when he returned home on Sunday after a seven-month deployment to the Middle East and Southwest Asia.

    Silver said the homecomings and all the work of Operation Yellow Ribbon of South Jersey is to ensure current service men and women aren't treated poorly as past veterans, particularly those who returned from the Vietnam War.

    "A generation ago, for whatever reasons, our brave Americans weren't welcomed home so nicely," he said. "So in turn, to make sure that never happens again, we use the very same freedoms our service members protect and provide to welcome them home properly, but also work hard to send them care packages so they know they are not forgotten."

    On Tuesday, Silver accepted the award alongside about 17 volunteers with the nonprofit at the ceremony. 

    He knows the group's accomplishments could not have been possible without his team of about 30 volunteers who often give up lunch hours, evenings and weekends to prepare care packages and plan events.

    “It’s just commentary on how hard our volunteers work,” Silver said of the award.

    Operation Yellow Ribbon of South Jersey was one of 125 charities in the Philadelphia region to apply for the award, which honors local nonprofits committed to assisting others and building stronger communities through preserving independence, protecting safety, and mentoring and inspiring young people.

    The Evesham group was one of four finalists selected by the Wawa Foundation, and the public was asked to vote for their favorite over the last two weeks of June.

    The three other finalists were Emily's Entourage, out of Lower Merion, Pennsylvania, which raises money and awareness to help find a cure for cystic fibrosis, with a focus on rare mutations; Lighthouse Inc., which provides educational, recreational and economic improvement programs to families and individuals in North Philadelphia; and the West Philadelphia Alliance for Children, which promotes childhood literacy by engaging volunteers in Philadelphia public schools through reopening and staffing libraries and offering academic mentoring to students in need.

    Silver thought the nonprofit had a fair chance of winning because it has always received an outpouring of support from the community. But he knew his competitors deserved the award just as much, he said.

    “All three of them are amazing in their own way, and I thought to myself, ‘I don’t want to take $50,000 away from them,' " Silver said.

    But a great aspect of the Hero Award program, Silver added, was that all three runners-up received $10,000.

    The $50,000 award is enough to solely fund the nonprofit’s efforts for seven to eight months, but Silver said most will be reserved in case of financial emergencies to allow their work to continue.

    “We’re going to keep doing this until they’re all home,” he said.

    Story by:

    Danielle DeSisto >Burlington County Times


  • F Me In The BrainF Me In The Brain this knows everybody from other commets Posts: 30,586
    Awesome!!!
    Seeing the pic was a beautiful thing.
    The love he receives is the love that is saved
  • cutzcutz Posts: 11,400
    Awesome!!!
    Seeing the pic was a beautiful thing.

    I don't know how to post the picture, but even if i did, i wouldn't, just in case Dave wants to be hidden from the public>LOL!!!


  • F Me In The BrainF Me In The Brain this knows everybody from other commets Posts: 30,586
    cutz said:
    Awesome!!!
    Seeing the pic was a beautiful thing.

    I don't know how to post the picture, but even if i did, i wouldn't, just in case Dave wants to be hidden from the public>LOL!!!


    In the other thread he shares the pic and someone else shared the video of it being announced. No hiding for celebrities!  :)

    The love he receives is the love that is saved
  • cutzcutz Posts: 11,400
    cutz said:
    Awesome!!!
    Seeing the pic was a beautiful thing.

    I don't know how to post the picture, but even if i did, i wouldn't, just in case Dave wants to be hidden from the public>LOL!!!


    In the other thread he shares the pic and someone else shared the video of it being announced. No hiding for celebrities!  :)

    HAHAHA>I guess you're right . (I just saw the other thread on the Porch, but i didn't see the video.)
  • PureandEasyPureandEasy Posts: 5,769
    I first met Dave the week of the final Spectrum shows. He personally arranged and successfully managed all 4 pre-parties during that fabulous once in a life time spectacular event.  He's had my back ever since. I only wish I had his energy. I'm beyond thrilled that OYR was the recipient of the hero award.  This grant will be used to give our troops abroad the comfort that people here at home have not forgotten them and appreciate the sacrifice they have made for our freedom. 
  • PureandEasyPureandEasy Posts: 5,769
    I attended my first hero's welcome home last Sunday. Surprised myself how emotional I bacame when our hero and his father entered the parking lot.  OYR accomplishes so much for so many and Dave makes this all happen. 

  • hedonisthedonist standing on the edge of forever Posts: 24,524
    I attended my first hero's welcome home last Sunday. Surprised myself how emotional I bacame when our hero and his father entered the parking lot.  OYR accomplishes so much for so many and Dave makes this all happen. 

    This makes me :) .
  • ed243421ed243421 Posts: 7,624
    The whole world will be different soon... - EV
    RED ROCKS 6-19-95
    AUGUSTA 9-26-96
    MANSFIELD 9-15-98
    BOSTON 9-29-04
    BOSTON 5-25-06
    MANSFIELD 6-30-08
    EV SOLO BOSTON 8-01-08
    BOSTON 5-17-10
    EV SOLO BOSTON 6-16-11
    PJ20 9-3-11
    PJ20 9-4-11
    WRIGLEY 7-19-13
    WORCESTER 10-15-13
    WORCESTER 10-16-13
    HARTFORD 10-25-13









  • cutzcutz Posts: 11,400
    This sucks. 

    http://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/news/20180208/postage-hike-troubles-evesham-nonprofit  (Link only last 24 hours.)

    Postage hike troubles Evesham nonprofit


    By Danielle DeSisto 
    Posted at 7:00 AM
      

    EVESHAM — On Jan. 22, Dave Silver’s van was filled with care packages for troops overseas courtesy of his nonprofit, Operation Yellow Ribbon of South Jersey.

    But when he checked his online account with the United States Postal Service and discovered his postage costs had doubled, he was forced to delay his weekly trip to the local post office.

    “The packages sat in my car for 10 days, because I couldn’t get help from customer service,” Silver said.

    Silver tracked his shipments and discovered the packages were being delivered to a military postal center in Chicago instead of New York. They used to be shipped from New York to military installations in Afghanistan, Kuwait or other countries.

    The Postal Service recently consolidated its five military postal centers that process military mail to one facility in Chicago, according to a statement from Rep. Tom MacArthur, R-3rd of Toms River. As a result, nonprofits and family of military members must now pay the domestic postage rate from their location to Chicago.

    Silver was not notified about the change by the Postal Service.

    “They changed the logistics a while ago, and no one knew it,” he said. “They just started charging for the change on the 22nd.”

    Operation Yellow Ribbon ships thousands of pounds of care packages every month. An average package used to cost about $30 to ship. Now, shipping the same box to the same address will cost $60.

    The price hike will affect the nonprofit’s ability to make as many shipments overseas as it has in years past. In 2017, the organization sent 62,000 pounds of goods overseas, at a cost of $55,000. Shipping the same amount of care packages this year will cost double.

    “We just simply can’t afford it,” Silver said. “That’s 50 percent of lives we’re not going to touch next year.”

    He said additional fundraising may not be enough to cover the new costs.

    MacArthur has called on the postmaster general to reverse the rate increase and asked the House Oversight Committee to investigate the changes and impact on nonprofits.

    “Some nonprofits, such as Operation Yellow Ribbon of South Jersey, will see a drastic increase in postage costs that will severely limit the number of packages they can afford to ship,” MacArthur said in a statement. “These care packages provide much-needed basic comforts and a morale boost to our service members.”

    New Jersey’s 8th District legislators, Sen. Dawn Addiego and Assemblymen Joe Howarth and Ryan Peters, have joined MacArthur’s calls for action.

    Going forward, Silver hopes the Postal Service will implement discounted rates for nonprofits like Operation Yellow Ribbon that serve military members.

    “To punish nonprofits and troops is so disingenuous,” Silver said.

  • elwayvedderelwayvedder South Jersey Posts: 9,040
    cutz said:
    This sucks. 

    http://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/news/20180208/postage-hike-troubles-evesham-nonprofit  (Link only last 24 hours.)

    Postage hike troubles Evesham nonprofit


    By Danielle DeSisto 
    Posted at 7:00 AM
      

    EVESHAM — On Jan. 22, Dave Silver’s van was filled with care packages for troops overseas courtesy of his nonprofit, Operation Yellow Ribbon of South Jersey.

    But when he checked his online account with the United States Postal Service and discovered his postage costs had doubled, he was forced to delay his weekly trip to the local post office.

    “The packages sat in my car for 10 days, because I couldn’t get help from customer service,” Silver said.

    Silver tracked his shipments and discovered the packages were being delivered to a military postal center in Chicago instead of New York. They used to be shipped from New York to military installations in Afghanistan, Kuwait or other countries.

    The Postal Service recently consolidated its five military postal centers that process military mail to one facility in Chicago, according to a statement from Rep. Tom MacArthur, R-3rd of Toms River. As a result, nonprofits and family of military members must now pay the domestic postage rate from their location to Chicago.

    Silver was not notified about the change by the Postal Service.

    “They changed the logistics a while ago, and no one knew it,” he said. “They just started charging for the change on the 22nd.”

    Operation Yellow Ribbon ships thousands of pounds of care packages every month. An average package used to cost about $30 to ship. Now, shipping the same box to the same address will cost $60.

    The price hike will affect the nonprofit’s ability to make as many shipments overseas as it has in years past. In 2017, the organization sent 62,000 pounds of goods overseas, at a cost of $55,000. Shipping the same amount of care packages this year will cost double.

    “We just simply can’t afford it,” Silver said. “That’s 50 percent of lives we’re not going to touch next year.”

    He said additional fundraising may not be enough to cover the new costs.

    MacArthur has called on the postmaster general to reverse the rate increase and asked the House Oversight Committee to investigate the changes and impact on nonprofits.

    “Some nonprofits, such as Operation Yellow Ribbon of South Jersey, will see a drastic increase in postage costs that will severely limit the number of packages they can afford to ship,” MacArthur said in a statement. “These care packages provide much-needed basic comforts and a morale boost to our service members.”

    New Jersey’s 8th District legislators, Sen. Dawn Addiego and Assemblymen Joe Howarth and Ryan Peters, have joined MacArthur’s calls for action.

    Going forward, Silver hopes the Postal Service will implement discounted rates for nonprofits like Operation Yellow Ribbon that serve military members.

    “To punish nonprofits and troops is so disingenuous,” Silver said.

    Thanks @cutz
    I feel you are the only one listening sadly.  This is devastating to OYR, to other nonprofits and to military families nationwide (well except Chicago etc).  It also hurts US Military Personnel who are stationed or deployed across the globe when they order something online and have to use a 3rd party to ship to their military addresses. That extra cost is now passed on to them. Pearl Jam, HELP!!
  • stuckinlinestuckinline Posts: 3,357
    Dave,
    Please let us know if there is anything we can do other than 'liking' and/or 'sharing' OYR Facebook posts. 
    Thank you to Dave and OYR for ALL you have done for the troops!!!!!!
  • F Me In The BrainF Me In The Brain this knows everybody from other commets Posts: 30,586
    We need to raise more money for OYRSJ. 
    I have some unopened vaults and other stuff I am happy to put up if someone wants to organize a raffle? 
    The love he receives is the love that is saved
  • elwayvedderelwayvedder South Jersey Posts: 9,040
    Thanks guys/gals!  I just got done with NBC10 (Philly) so hopefully this thing picks up steam and someone who can help steps up to help. I say Pearl Jam have a benefit concert here in South Jersey where $2 from every ticket  goes to OYR LOL...right?  right? crickets LOL
    In all seriousness, I will post here soon if there's anything you can do.  We have local politicians trying to help and a petition going shortly
  • cutzcutz Posts: 11,400
    I HOPE this all works out , Dave. 

    USPS should be ashamed for doing this. I know they want/need more money, but why charge double for Non-Profit Groups such as yours? 

    Good to hear you went on NBC 10 to get the word out.

    Frckin'  POLITICIANS  BETTER do SOMETHING!!
  • elwayvedderelwayvedder South Jersey Posts: 9,040
    I will post the NBC 10 Philly video once it runs
  • cutzcutz Posts: 11,400
    Oh yeah, i like your Idea for Pearl Jam to have a benefit concert in SJ =)
  • stuckinlinestuckinline Posts: 3,357
    edited February 2018
    Thanks guys/gals!  I just got done with NBC10 (Philly) so hopefully this thing picks up steam and someone who can help steps up to help. I say Pearl Jam have a benefit concert here in South Jersey where $2 from every ticket  goes to OYR LOL...right?  right? crickets LOL
    In all seriousness, I will post here soon if there's anything you can do.  We have local politicians trying to help and a petition going shortly
    An OYR benefit concert is a great idea! 
  • elwayvedderelwayvedder South Jersey Posts: 9,040
    Good morning everyone.
    Here's the piece NBC did on it. They were with us for over 3 hours and of course they have to cut things down for the segment so although I wish more of what we did was covered, I am grateful for them shining a light on this issue.
    PLEASE SHARE THIS...also, monday I will have a petition to sign if those can help.
    Just remember - the camera adds 10 lbs LOL
    https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Paying-More-to-Help-our-Troops_Philadelphia-473635123.html
  • F Me In The BrainF Me In The Brain this knows everybody from other commets Posts: 30,586
    Get ''m, Dave!
    The love he receives is the love that is saved
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