Congratulations to the Operation Appreciation for being selected as our Business of the month! This organization is worth recognizing for so many reasons. Their support to our Georgia Guard and Reserve service members is life changing.
OpA’s long term goal is to bridge the gap in support services between military and civilian lives our Georgia Guard and Reserve service members live in. They are a unique blend of first responder heroes who need to be acknowledged for their sacrifices, their needs and their service to our country. By supporting those who support our community we are standing united and building strong bonds that will bridge that gap. A short or medium term initiative is the deployment – of which requires a specific amount of time to offer support. A quantifiable reality for data will be the successful preparation, deployment and return/reintegration of our service members. Upon their return we must continue to monitor the needs of our service members to include PTSD, employment and family reintegration. For as long as our men and women are being sent into harm’s way, OpA will be there to support their efforts. Until they all come home.
Operation Appreciation was founded as a 501(c)3 organization in 2012 by an Army spouse and a group of 3 additional volunteers who all shared a common goal: love of country, community and gratitude for those who serve. The founding team wanted to create a resource for Georgia Guard and Reserve members across all military branches, our veterans and their immediate family members for information, emergency assistance, unit/family/chaplain support as well as a location for assistance when traditional avenues for our service members are not available. OpA has become that resource and we are proudly in our fifth year of service for our troops!
Operation Appreciation’s President, Beth Waters, is an Army spouse, has five children (with a son in the Army), and 3 grandchildren. OpA’s Vice President, Vicki Adams, is employed full time as an executive assistant at Yancey Brothers in Austell Georgia, is married and has 1 child. OpA’s Secretary, Rachelle Orange, if an Army wife and her husband is also a police officer and is a stay-at-home mommy with 1 child. The entire Board of Directors is always busy in the community giving back and effortlessly trying to make a difference. OpA has the perfect team of volunteers to find the solution to our service members needs.
OpA has assisted from beginning to end with multiple funerals. Our support has included coordination with the funeral homes, cemeteries, printing materials, music, family support, fundraising, memorials, services, photo slide shows, clothing (for immediate family members), flowers, and more. We literally step in and allow the service member time to grieve and be with family without the worry of finances and details from the funeral process. OpA has remodeled homes to incorporate disabilities by working with local builders and individuals who are willing to donate their time and professional services. A few examples are: bathroom, flooring, kitchen, decking, entrance ramps in/out of the home and even a couple of homes that needed new roofs. OpA has held multiple fundraisers for medical emergencies to include: service injuries, accidental injuries, PTSD, burns, cancer, and dental. A few other opportunities have included rental, utility, food and transportation emergency assistance.
If you would like to get involved with this astounding & life changing organization see the below information:
Phone: (678) 898-9735
Email: bethwaters10@gmail.com
www.operationappreciationga.org
www.facebook.com/OperationAppreciationGA