OPERATION HOME FIRES

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To watch a video on the Operation Home Fires press here: 

Fundraising Report – The following is a detailed analysis of our fundraising efforts for the Operation Home Fires (OHF) Family Assistance Fund (through June 15, 2003):

Total %

• Financial Gifts from businesses (7 gifts) $5,900.00 10.2%
• Financial Gifts from churches (21 gifts) 17,111.00 29.5%
• Financial Gifts from foundations (2 gifts) 15,000.00 25.9%
• Financial Gifts from individuals (114 gifts) 14,812.83 25.6%
• Financial Gifts from organizations/civic groups (1 gift) 5,000.00 8.6%
• Total Gifts (145 gifts) $57,823.83

In addition, we have not been able to raise the financial support for a full-time Military Support Specialists through our contacts with two leading Orlando foundations. However, our Board of Directors is committed to Operation Home Fires and will be reviewing a modified plan to keep this project supporting our military families.

Family Assistance Fund – We have provided direct financial assistance to 43 families with a total of $9,584.02 of assistance. This represents an average of $222.88 per family, slightly above our original estimate of $200 per family.  As a special note, this amount does not include the hundreds of families that we have helped by providing food, pantry, and baby items through our Winter Park office or vouchers provided by local organizations (see below). Through the first three months of operation, Operation Home Fires gave away 19.2% of our originally budgeted amount of $50,000 for family assistance.

The majority of financial assistance has been for rent, utility, and phone expenses while a small portion has helped with other things like child care, supplies, auto repair, or home repair. We have been making presentations to local meetings of the Family Readiness Support Groups for the Marines and Florida Army National Guard.  In these meetings, we have provided vouchers for food from a variety of local outlets besides our own pantries. Among them are Destiny Assistance Center, Publix Supermarkets, Albertson’s Foods, and Winn Dixie.  More than 200 families have been assisted during these meetings.

Soldiers & Sailors Still Deployed – As part of our continued support of our deployed military, we have been tracking the return and re-assignment since the conclusion of major combat operations on May 2, 2003.  Though there have been no significant return of our reservists leaves us with greater concerns for our local military families.  More than 219,000 reservists from all military branches are  deployed including more than 5,000 from Florida.  The challenge of keeping the peace and building a new Iraq will take time and the reservists will be the backbone of this operation.  Please continue to pray for these soldiers, sailors, and airmen as the serve our country.

Other Local Support –

If you want to help, check out our website (www.operationhomefires.com) or call 407-478-1698 and ask for our Military Support Specialist Connie Higgins.

Since our kickoff event we have seen much happen as part of Operation Home Fires.  The following is a brief recap of our progress:

Area-wide Church Leadership Conference – Hosted by the Christian Service Center, more than 100 came and listened to how they could get involved in supporting the families of our deployed military.  Speakers included Major Gen. (Ret.) Ron Harrison, BG David Godwin, Chaplain Steve Hess, Ted Williams (American Red Cross) and Robert Stuart.  Robert challenged the group to help us raise $50,000 for the Operation Home Fires Family Assistance Fund to support the financial challenges within these at-risk families.

Support from the Governor’s office – Lt. Governor Toni Jennings, Sec. Glenda Hood, and MG Douglass Burnett visited the Orlando Armory and received a briefing on Operation Home Fires.  Following the briefing, Lt. Gov. Jennings announced that a semi-truck of food was being delivered to Orlando to be distributed through Operation Home Fires to National Guard families.  The truck arrived the following week and we have distributed food to more than 80 families.

Media Coverage – We have been blessed with media coverage.  There have been more than 20 stories that include Operation Home Fires as their focus with an emphasis to help as the call to action.  Our staff has been featured on channels 2, 6, 9, 13, 27 & 35.  While Operation Home Fires has had a feature article written in the Orlando Sentinel as late as April 20, 2003.  This project has touched a cord throughout our community unlike anything we have done before.

Support – We have received $36,816 toward our Operation Home Fires Family Assistance Fund.  We have received gifts from the following churches / organizations: Martin & Gracia Andersen Foundation ($5,000), Gurtler Foundation ($10,000), Central Christian Church, St. James Cathedral, First Baptist Church of Winter Park, First Congregational Church of Winter Park, Holy Family Catholic Church, Transportation Sales & Service, Catholic Diocese, University Carillon United Methodist Church, and many other individuals.

In our first seven weeks of operation, we have "touched" 165 families through Operation Home Fires.  Through April 18, we interviewed 40 families; helped 17 of these families more than once.  We provided vouchers and / or food for 125 more through our direct work at the Family Readiness Centers.  We have helped with financial assistance including rent, utilities, and phone bills.  In addition, we have provided links to local churches for help with mowing lawns, financial planning, childcare, and even automobile work.

Other Local Support –

• Robert and Connie Higgins (Military Support Specialists) conducted our Church Leadership Conference at First Baptist Church of Leesburg.  It was lightly attended but we have already received much help from these area churches.

• Mary Massey from College Park United Methodist Church has completed a song entitled Keeping the Home Fires Burning that we may use for promoting our join efforts.  Meanwhile, College Park United Methodist Church has continued to hold a special Prayer Service each Friday at noon in their sanctuary.

• Lt. Governor Toni Jennings announced, at a special briefing of Operation Home Fires in Orlando, that Feed The Children would give food for our families through the Christian Service Center.  One semi-tractor delivered 22 pallets of food to Second Harvest Food Bank awaiting distribution to our military families.  Our thanks to Second Harvest Food Bank and their staff for support of our joint effort.

• Destiny Community Assistance Center celebrated their 10,000^th member by giving food coupons to be distributed to military families through Operation Home Fires.  In addition, we have received coupons from Alberston’s Supermarkets and Regal Cinema.

• Old Town hosted their Friday and Saturday Night Cruises for Operation Home Fires.  Our military support representative, Connie Higgins, was the local celebrity and we raised about $900 for our Family Assistance Fund.

• WKMG Local 6 has revamped their Good Neighbor 6 segment, permanently hosted by Pamela Brady.  Their first focus area is the plight of the families of our deployed military so they have partnered with us to promote Operation Home Fires.  On Tuesday, April 22, Local 6 hosted a "mini-telethon" during their 5:00 p.m. broadcast where we raised about $2,000 from 40 callers.  We express our thanks to Pamela and the entire staff for their help with Operation Home Fires.

• Robert Stuart attended a press conference in Gainesville.  At the conference, the death of Cpl. Travis Rivero was announced and his family has offered to memorialize him through Operation Home Fires by giving to this fund in lieu of flowers.  Robert spoke briefly about the sacrifice made by Cpl. Rivero, his family, and hundreds who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.  The need for support for the families of our deployed military was express by Cpl. Rivero in several letters written to his sister and mother.  It is an honor to serve the families of our deployed military in memory of Cpl. Rivero.

• With all of the controversy surrounding the comments made by the lead singer of the Dixie Chicks, K92 FM decided to sell their promotion tickets to the upcoming Orlando concert and give the money to Operation Home Fires.  K92 held a raffle for the 100 tickets and raised $6,500 for our Family Assistance Fund.

• Several churches and organizations have been collecting food for Operation Home Fires.  Most notable are Lake Eola Charter School, The Tap Room, and Excel Alternative School.  Many other individuals have been bringing food and clothing for our families.  Among them, Central Christian Church and Kmart have brought new underwear as gifts for our families.

• At the request of WKMG Local 6, All About Pins created 1000 lapel pins for our use.  These are available for any group or organization who would like to distribute them for a small donation toward our Family Assistance Fund.

• Many organizations are getting creative on delivering our message to their customers.  Acme Cleaners in downtown Orlando will be stapling a special flyer on the bag of every dry-cleaning garment during the month of May.  Shoe Carnival, a local shoe store, provided 30 coupons for new shoes for our families.

• The local association of limousine drivers have offered their help by providing a financial gift toward our Family Assistance Fund and limo rides for families attending local theme parks.  We will implement this special project during the summer.

• Publix Supermarkets, in conjunction with Second Harvest Food Bank, is providing a $2,500 credit at the food bank for the Center to purchase food for military families.  This translates into as much as 10,000 lbs. of food and personal items to those in need.

If you want to help, call 407-478-1698 and ask for our Military Support Specialist, Connie Higgins.