| FAQ's about Make a Difference Day
and Holidays for Heroes |
| What is Make a Difference Day? |
Make a Difference Day is a national day of volunteerism. Across the nation, groups of people get together to volunteer for a cause they deem worthy. Operation SOS has chosen their cause as supporting the troops of the United States of America who are bravely serving overseas. This event is called Holidays for Heroes. |
| What is Holidays for Heroes? |
Holidays for Heroes is a day filled with activity. The day begins bright and early with a road race of 3.88 miles in honor of the 388th Med Log BN Army Reserve Unit based out of Hays, Kansas. After the race, anyone who volunteers will band together to pack boxes of holiday goodies to send to the troops. It works like an assembly line, starting with home baked cookies, and ending with packaging and addressing. |
| When and where is Holidays for Heroes? |
This year, Holidays for Heroes will be held on October 27th. It will be held at the Army
Reserve Center at 880 Commerce Parkway in Hays take Exit 161. More exact directions to be posted very soon! |
| How many boxes will be packaged and sent? |
In 2002, 50 boxes were sent. 125 Boxes
were sent in 2003 and in 2004, we raised the number to 500 boxes, that
were packaged and sent overseas. In 2005, and 2006 we sent 1000 boxes
each year for the holidays. We plan to send 1000 again this year. To
date ,Operation SOS has sent 7,900. We do Valentine and 4th of July boxes
as well, usually 200 each time We gave our holiday packing event the name
"Holidays for Heroes" in 2004. |
| What goes in these boxes? |
Lots of things! Home baked cookies, socks, snacks and goodies, Ramen noodles, hot cocoa, shampoo, soap, laundry detergent, razors, little games, books and/or magazines, and hand drawn holiday cards made
by local elementary school students.
For a complete list of items needed,
click HERE! |
| I can't volunteer on that day, is there anything I can do? |
Absolutely! Donations of either goods or money are needed.
In the beginning, all items were donated by the surrounding communities.
However, the word is spreading and we are happy to report we are now
getting donations from all over the country. Monetary donations are VERY MUCH
appreciated for the purpose of shipping these boxes overseas to their
deserving recipients. Look for donation boxes in your local businesses,
or contact Melanie Elliott.
Email her or call her at (785) 476-2840. Donations can also be
mailed to Operation SOS at PO BOX 267, Kensington KS, 66951 or at PO Box
1265, Hays KS, 67601. |
| I know a soldier serving overseas. Can I add his/her name to the mailing list? |
YES! We love to get more names of soldiers! You can call,
email, or mail the name and address of your soldier to Melanie Elliott. |
| How do I get signed up for the race for Holidays for Heroes? |
You can register for the race online at
Active.com. You can also register on race day, or by filling out the race registration form and mailing it and your fee to Melanie Elliott. Click HERE for the registration form that you can mail. The registration fee is $20 prior to the race and $25 on race day. Walkers and runners are both welcome. Feel free to bring your kids in the stroller, or even your dogs, as long as they are on a leash. Race volunteers are also needed. If you are interested in volunteering, contact
Melanie. |
| Is my donation tax deductible? |
Operation SOS is not an IRS approved non-profit organization yet. Talk with your tax professional to determine whether your donation can be used as a deduction. If you are a sponsoring business, you will receive an advertising receipt that you can use for tax purposes. |
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