Since 1983, Operation USA has been facilitating donations of pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, equipment and educational materials free of charge to over 200 nonprofit California clinics, to 50 clinics and agencies in the Hurricanes Katrina and Rita-affected areas of the Gulf Coast, as well as others throughout the Nation.

These clinics are assuming the burden of caring for the uninsured and underinsured who are struggling with issues such as lack of medical insurance and limited access to HIV/AIDS and chronic disease prevention and treatment. Their efforts are helping to keep their state's overall health care costs down by providing preventive services and primary care, which helps curb the rising number of emergency room visits.

Operation USA gives special thanks to Heart To Heart, Med-Line, Owens & Minor, Leiner Health Products and many other individuals, hospitals and health care companies for their generous donations of useful items which allow these clinics to allocate their scarce financial resources directly to patient care.

Recent donations include:
Naproxen (generic Aleve)
Nuprin (allergy medicine)
Blood pressure cuffs and stethoscopes
Feminine hygiene products
First aid products and syringes
Children's diapers and adult briefs
Orthopedic shoes
Crutches and weight scales
Wheelchairs and office furniture

One of our first-time participants, Jerry Young of Amity Foundation, commented that although he did not know what to expect at his first Open House event, he was impressed with Operation USA because everything he picked up for Amity Foundation "was a usable commodity". Jerry also mentioned his appreciation of the friendly and helpful Operation USA staff, and how wonderful it was to meet representatives of other organizations in the non-profit health care community.

Despite an hour and twenty-minute drive, Beverly Speak from Kids Come First Health Care Clinic in Ontario, California, also arrived early the first time she atttended an Open House event not knowing what to expect. A few hours later, Beverly left with a truckload full of essential supplies for the clinic. Beverly called Operation USA to tell us that "it was like Christmas all over again. Being part of something that is bigger than us was exciting". Like Jerry, she mentioned that one of the highlights of her experience was the opportunity to network with other participating clinic employees.

Operation USA wishes to acknowledge The California Endowment, a long-time supporter. Operation USA would like to publicly thank The Endowment for its generous and valuable contributions to this innovative and vital program. We look forward to continued opportunities to work together to help better the lives of the citizens of California.

To read about a recent Community Clinics Open House event, please click here.