Greetings everyone! It’s been a busy time in 2024 so here is a Q2 recap and a mention of some OMB highlights.
We continue to receive testimonials and thanks from recipients of our OMB assistance that’s a direct Blessing from our Donors & Sponsors to those E1-E4 families in crisis. THAT’S OUR MISSION !!
Donations:
Our larger donors for 2024 Q2 were:
Blue Cross of Idaho
Thomas Foundation
Support Our Troops
Dr. & Chris Fossum
Morgan Stanley
Plus a Matching Employee Donation Program of New York Life Insurance.
These & individual donors fund our current listed bases and our special programs. We always need dedicated donors & sponsors in order to support other military locations for the servicemembers in need.
We will announce soon a new Named Base Sponsorship program for single-individual or corporate sponsors of a single U.S. Military Base worldwide. A list of eligible ‘named-sponsor’ bases for sponsorship is being developed to select from, or special bases can be requested for Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, National Guard, and Coast Guard.
Special funding to the military:
Besides our ongoing Gift Cards, in Q2 OMB made a special emergency funding grant of $5,000 to Ramstein Air Base Germany for Family Programs to support 545 children and single parents whose fathers or mothers are deployed. That’s because official military funding of essential family support programs has been suspended, and are threatened with cancellation.
• OMB reached out and came to the rescue.
• Other affected bases are being considered for OMB emergency funding as well.
The Ramstein AB grant is in addition to the $5,000 normal emergency subsistence food relief cards for that Base.
Thank you Charlene Maher representing OMB in person and carrying $10,000 in Emergency Relief Funds to Ramstein!
The Idaho Army/Air National Guard at Gowen Field is now fully funded through December2024!
SPECIAL PARTNERSHIP:
Robert Comstock Apparel is creating a special Line that features & supports Operation Military Blessings. A full launch announcement will come soon.
EVENTS:
June 17th, OMB was represented by Tom & Ike at an Information Table at the Treasure Valley CFO (Chief Financial Officer) Forum in Boise, ID. Thank you to Paul Zurlo & Dave Ward of Blue Cross of Idaho for OMB’s sponsorship.
Q3:
July 3rd, OMB had a booth at the God & Country Festival for the Idaho Treasure Valley (Boise area). Many military family members and Vets stopped by. Everyone understands the needs of our lower 4 ranks families in times of crisis.
July 26th, We will also have a booth at the ID National Guard Deployment BBQ at Boise Julia Davis Park, 5:30pm – 8:30pm.
August 22. Deployment Pancake Breakfast, Idaho National Guard, 183rd Aviation Battalion
August 24, Airmen BBQ McDill AFB, Florida
August 24. Family Deployment BBQ, Mountain Home AFB, 366th Tactical Fighter Wing
January 2025. Date TBA, Deployment Program, Idaho National Guard
Business:
Functional changes have been registered with the Idaho Secretary of State.
OMB Worldwide Inc. our umbrella corporation, has been registered as a separate and parent entity.
Operation Military Blessings for New Life Family Ministries, Inc. was dropped and changed to OMB New Life.
Operation Military Blessings Inc. has been re-registered and stands alone as a separate entity.
OMB Endowment for Health & Wellness, Inc has been registered with the Secretary’s office.
These changes over the last two years will reflect the significant differences of each entity, function and purpose of the OMB Family. Each entity is an Idaho Corporation with nonprofit IRS 501(3)(C) status. Thank you for everyone’s help and assistance. See the list at the bottom of this newsletter.
2025 REQUEST:
I am looking for a speaker for next year’s January 2025 Fundraiser. Your suggestions and nominations please.
I want to thank each Donor & Sponsor, and also the valued members of our two Boards for making OMB what it is today!
OMB cares for our military.
Our goal is to continue to build a solid financial foundation to provide aid to the lowest ranks of our military members. As a retired military officer and President of Operation Military Blessings (OMB) I ask you to join me and our many sponsors and donors in building a foundation for health and wellness.
Those who choose to serve our nation through the military are often out of sight and out of mind. They do their duty daily and make many sacrifices unseen by the public eye. One segment of that group is the lower enlisted ranks. Many of these men and women struggle to meet the basic needs of daily living like putting food on the table, adequate clothing, gifts for their families, and dealing with crisis situations that sometimes arise.
OMB was established twenty-seven years ago to give support to these men and women and their families through substance relief cards to purchase necessities, and other financial support in times of crisis. OMB’s outreach extends beyond Idaho to U.S. military bases throughout the United States and the World. All donations raised in Idaho stay in Idaho and are used solely for Idaho military residents (unless otherwise designated). OMB is a nonprofit organization that depends on donations to meet these needs.
– Tom Westall, (USAF, Retired), Founder & President