Ribbon-cutting today at new veterans’ facility
Operation Troop Appreciation, which was established in 2004, is moving to a new location.
Operation Troop Appreciation, a nonprofit organization based in West Mifflin, will have a grand opening celebration today.
From noon to 2 p.m. at 2017 Pennsylvania Ave., those attending will get the chance to explore the new facility for veterans.
A ribbon-cutting for the newly renovated facility will take place at noon. There will also be a color guard ceremony, followed by a program to honor soldiers and veterans and to thank volunteers as well as those who have donated to OTA over the last 20 years and those who helped fund the building restoration. Light refreshments will be served. Registration for the event has already closed.
Monica Orluk, chief executive officer/executive director of OTA, said they are very excited for the opening after a major three-year building renovation.
“This new building will not only serve as our operational headquarters, but also be a place where veterans can connect, relax and be supported,” Orluk said. “We are excited and grateful as we head into the next decade with our new headquarters, as it will meet our growing needs and the changing needs of our military and veterans for many years to come.”
The building is 11,000 square feet, according to Orluk, who said there is also a veterans’ lounge in the new facility with computers for job searching and research as well as a space to meet with case managers and service providers.
The plan is to host veterans’ events for fundraising, offer classes, host job fairs and provide social gatherings. The annual holiday party, Orluk added, is the one event that draws veteran families to celebrate the season.
Sherry Einhaus, chief operations officer/program director, told the Mon Valley Independent in June that they had a purse bash June 8 in the new building, but it wasn’t completely finished at the time.
“We either got a space donated or rented. We just moved into this space, interior and exterior remodel,” Einhaus said. “We are also working on many different veterans events.”
“All of us at OTA are proud of reaching this remarkable milestone,” Orluk said. “It’s heartwarming to see how many people have continued to rally behind our troops and veterans.”
History
Operation Troop Appreciation is 100% volunteer run, with 90% of donations going directly to soldiers and veterans. It builds and sustains the morale and well-being of the military community, past and present, according to its website.
OTA was founded in 2004 to serve active- duty troops deployed during the war in the Middle East with supplies like requests for new boots or new shirts.
“OTA’s original founder Kristen Holloway learned that some of our troops needed moisture wicking clothing to stay cool in the extreme heat,” Orluk said. “We fulfilled that order, and our plan was to continue sending care packages until the war ended. We didn’t anticipate what would happen next.”
It only took a few months to grow this one simple project into a national organization, and they became a 501(c)(3) July 1, 2004.
In 2014, recognizing an increased need in the veteran community, they launched their Welcome Home program that serves veterans residing in Western Pennsylvania and provides critical basic need services to veterans at risk of, or coming out of, homelessness or hospitalization from physical, psychological or combat related substance use issues.
They have a “Welcome Home Kit” that includes all new essentials such as beds, pots and pans, dishes, laundry supplies, towels and sheets, and cleaning supplies. Veterans can also arrange for transportation to take them to doctor’s appointments, counseling and rehabilitation sessions and job interviews.
Today, OTA supports not only soldiers currently serving, but veterans returning home who are struggling financially, physically and mentally through its Veterans Welcome Home Program, serving more than 210,000 troops and veterans representing all branches of the U.S. military over 20 years.
Einhaus said they serve Allegheny County and the surrounding counties. They also have an Active-Duty Military Support Project, which enables troops to submit wish lists and ask for specific items they need and would otherwise have to pay for out of pocket.
“Because we are an all-volunteer organization, every single fundraising dollar we receive is used to help our troops and veterans, instead of paying for administration salaries.”
MONICA ORLUK
“The size of each order varies,” Orluk said. “We could be serving a battalion of 10,000, a platoon of 12 or anything in between. Regardless of how many we are serving, this program gives troops an opportunity to ask for items that help contribute to their health, welfare and morale.”
The future
OTA continues to support military members once they return home.
“We’re very grateful for our local support, and we have a lot of groups, organizations and even individual people around the area that not only support us by collecting things, but donations and even helping to volunteer,” Einhaus said.
Einhaus added that some of the best people she has ever known was through this organization, and that includes all the veterans, volunteers, community members who have supported them and more.
As OTA looks to the future, it hopes to expand its services to reach out to even more troops, veterans and their families, especially now with its new headquarters.
“One of our challenges is securing enough financial support so we can continue our mission of serving our troops and veterans,” Orluk said. “Because we are an all-volunteer organization, every single fundraising dollar we receive is used to help our troops and veterans, instead of paying for administration salaries.”
