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

24

Comments

  • LanaJay
    LanaJay Posts: 524
    Our troops, our heroes!
  • PureandEasy
    PureandEasy Posts: 5,818
    edited October 2016
    I went to Shoprite in town where I grew up yesterday. Dad still lives in the area, was picking up a few items before my visit. Outside the store I was approached by a young man from OYR handing me a list of needed items for donation. In the store I encountered the one and only ElwayVedder. Immediately I said, I should have known it was you behind this. This is a man who truly walks the walk, I've known him for years now. His giving of his time and effort to help others is mind boggling as well as contagious. You are an angel among us Dave. I could say keep up the good work, but there's no doubt you will. God bless you and yours.
    Don't come closer or I'll have to go
  • elwayvedder
    elwayvedder South Jersey Posts: 9,175
    PureandEasy said:

    I went to Shoprite in town where I grew up yesterday. Dad still lives in the area, was picking up a few items before my visit. Outside the store I was approached by a young man from OYR handing me a list of needed items for donation. In the store I encountered the one and only ElwayVedder. Immediately I said, I should have known it was you behind this. This is a man who truly walks the walk, I've known him for years now. His giving of his time and effort to help others is mind boggling as well as contagious. You are an angel among us Dave. I could say keep up the good work, but there's no doubt you will. God bless you and yours.

    Who do I make the check out to Marsha? Lol. Thank you for the kind words and great seeing you
    www.operationyellowribbon.org
  • hedonist
    hedonist Posts: 24,524
    PureandEasy said:

    I went to Shoprite in town where I grew up yesterday. Dad still lives in the area, was picking up a few items before my visit. Outside the store I was approached by a young man from OYR handing me a list of needed items for donation. In the store I encountered the one and only ElwayVedder. Immediately I said, I should have known it was you behind this. This is a man who truly walks the walk, I've known him for years now. His giving of his time and effort to help others is mind boggling as well as contagious. You are an angel among us Dave. I could say keep up the good work, but there's no doubt you will. God bless you and yours.

    Beautiful, P & E :)
  • crookedcross
    crookedcross Right Near Da Beach, Boiii Posts: 1,545
    PureandEasy said:

    I went to Shoprite in town where I grew up yesterday. Dad still lives in the area, was picking up a few items before my visit. Outside the store I was approached by a young man from OYR handing me a list of needed items for donation. In the store I encountered the one and only ElwayVedder. Immediately I said, I should have known it was you behind this. This is a man who truly walks the walk, I've known him for years now. His giving of his time and effort to help others is mind boggling as well as contagious. You are an angel among us Dave. I could say keep up the good work, but there's no doubt you will. God bless you and yours.

    did that "young" man happen to have a terrible mustache? haha
  • F Me In The Brain
    F Me In The Brain this knows everybody from other commets Posts: 31,809
    PureandEasy said:

    I went to Shoprite in town where I grew up yesterday. Dad still lives in the area, was picking up a few items before my visit. Outside the store I was approached by a young man from OYR handing me a list of needed items for donation. In the store I encountered the one and only ElwayVedder. Immediately I said, I should have known it was you behind this. This is a man who truly walks the walk, I've known him for years now. His giving of his time and effort to help others is mind boggling as well as contagious. You are an angel among us Dave. I could say keep up the good work, but there's no doubt you will. God bless you and yours.

    Living in this area, I have rolled up to a Shoprite more than once, not recalling it was an OYR collection day, and have seen Dave there.
    Odds are good at seeing Dave out helping others at any point here in South Jersey. :rock_on:
    The love he receives is the love that is saved
  • PureandEasy
    PureandEasy Posts: 5,818
    crookedcross said:

    PureandEasy said:

    I went to Shoprite in town where I grew up yesterday. Dad still lives in the area, was picking up a few items before my visit. Outside the store I was approached by a young man from OYR handing me a list of needed items for donation. In the store I encountered the one and only ElwayVedder. Immediately I said, I should have known it was you behind this. This is a man who truly walks the walk, I've known him for years now. His giving of his time and effort to help others is mind boggling as well as contagious. You are an angel among us Dave. I could say keep up the good work, but there's no doubt you will. God bless you and yours.

    did that "young" man happen to have a terrible mustache? haha
    crookedcross said:

    PureandEasy said:

    I went to Shoprite in town where I grew up yesterday. Dad still lives in the area, was picking up a few items before my visit. Outside the store I was approached by a young man from OYR handing me a list of needed items for donation. In the store I encountered the one and only ElwayVedder. Immediately I said, I should have known it was you behind this. This is a man who truly walks the walk, I've known him for years now. His giving of his time and effort to help others is mind boggling as well as contagious. You are an angel among us Dave. I could say keep up the good work, but there's no doubt you will. God bless you and yours.

    did that "young" man happen to have a terrible mustache? haha
    Was that you? Nice meet you (again). I've been around this place for years, always nice to meet another member. Thanks for the work you do too.
    Don't come closer or I'll have to go
  • PureandEasy
    PureandEasy Posts: 5,818
    F Me In The Brain said:

    PureandEasy said:

    I went to Shoprite in town where I grew up yesterday. Dad still lives in the area, was picking up a few items before my visit. Outside the store I was approached by a young man from OYR handing me a list of needed items for donation. In the store I encountered the one and only ElwayVedder. Immediately I said, I should have known it was you behind this. This is a man who truly walks the walk, I've known him for years now. His giving of his time and effort to help others is mind boggling as well as contagious. You are an angel among us Dave. I could say keep up the good work, but there's no doubt you will. God bless you and yours.

    Living in this area, I have rolled up to a Shoprite more than once, not recalling it was an OYR collection day, and have seen Dave there.
    Odds are good at seeing Dave out helping others at any point here in South Jersey. :rock_on:
    I first met him when he coordinated ALL 4 Spectrum closing pre parties. I donated some PJ items so I met him personally. Coordinating those events period took a huge personal effort and they were a phenomenal success. Over the years, I've donated cash, food items and even cooked a full turkey dinner and fixings for his feed the needy campaign during the holidays. The man NEVER stops. He's probably even donated more blood than me and that is one of my true passions, and one I encourage anyone who can can to do so.

    You've inspired me again Dave, I need to do more. I'm not wealthy but I can give my time. I'll be in touch. i hope those reading this get the itch to do more too.
    Don't come closer or I'll have to go
  • crookedcross
    crookedcross Right Near Da Beach, Boiii Posts: 1,545
    PureandEasy said:

    crookedcross said:

    PureandEasy said:

    I went to Shoprite in town where I grew up yesterday. Dad still lives in the area, was picking up a few items before my visit. Outside the store I was approached by a young man from OYR handing me a list of needed items for donation. In the store I encountered the one and only ElwayVedder. Immediately I said, I should have known it was you behind this. This is a man who truly walks the walk, I've known him for years now. His giving of his time and effort to help others is mind boggling as well as contagious. You are an angel among us Dave. I could say keep up the good work, but there's no doubt you will. God bless you and yours.

    did that "young" man happen to have a terrible mustache? haha
    crookedcross said:

    PureandEasy said:

    I went to Shoprite in town where I grew up yesterday. Dad still lives in the area, was picking up a few items before my visit. Outside the store I was approached by a young man from OYR handing me a list of needed items for donation. In the store I encountered the one and only ElwayVedder. Immediately I said, I should have known it was you behind this. This is a man who truly walks the walk, I've known him for years now. His giving of his time and effort to help others is mind boggling as well as contagious. You are an angel among us Dave. I could say keep up the good work, but there's no doubt you will. God bless you and yours.

    did that "young" man happen to have a terrible mustache? haha
    Was that you? Nice meet you (again). I've been around this place for years, always nice to meet another member. Thanks for the work you do too.
    Hahaha Yeah that was probably me. If you're the lady Dave introduced to me, then yes, it was me. Guess I'm also the only one with a terrible 'stache. Nice to meet you too and please, it's the least I could do for my deployed brothers and sisters. Thank you for your support.
  • PureandEasy
    PureandEasy Posts: 5,818
    Yes I would be that lady.
    Don't come closer or I'll have to go
  • armyfan
    armyfan Posts: 348
    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.
  • cutz
    cutz Posts: 12,235
    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
  • hedonist
    hedonist Posts: 24,524
    Awesome and uplifting read :)
  • elwayvedder
    elwayvedder South Jersey Posts: 9,175
    Thanks @cutz . That was nice of you to share!
    www.operationyellowribbon.org
  • elwayvedder
    elwayvedder South Jersey Posts: 9,175
    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

    www.operationyellowribbon.org
  • nuzzer1
    nuzzer1 New Jersey Posts: 1,437
    easy quick vote - took two seconds for a f-ing awesome cause....good luck @elwayvedder
  • elwayvedder
    elwayvedder South Jersey Posts: 9,175
    nuzzer1 said:
    easy quick vote - took two seconds for a f-ing awesome cause....good luck @elwayvedder
    thank you my friend!
    www.operationyellowribbon.org
  • F Me In The Brain
    F Me In The Brain this knows everybody from other commets Posts: 31,809
    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
  • elwayvedder
    elwayvedder South Jersey Posts: 9,175
    Thanks Brett! Just need to vote once per email address
    www.operationyellowribbon.org
  • F Me In The Brain
    F Me In The Brain this knows everybody from other commets Posts: 31,809
    elwayvedder said:
    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

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