A Message From The President of Operation USA:
"Meeting The Growing Need Of Families Here At Home"
Dear Friends,
As you know, Operation USA saves and improves lives, with a focus on children and others most vulnerable in the wake of manmade and natural disasters. Our long-term donors understand that while we have sent aid to 99 countries, we have always set aside substantial amounts to provide to our fellow Americans.
In this exceptionally painful period of economic chaos for so many families, our safety net here at home is shredding. The number of Americans using safety net organizations like hospital emergency rooms, public health clinics, and school-based health care is growing dramatically even as these essential services are being cut back or closing down. There were already over 45 million Americans without health insurance but now even that shocking number is likely to rise dramatically. Government, at all levels, is awash in red ink and cutting its services just when they are needed most.
While we continue many projects which grew out of earlier disasters in Central America, Mexico, Africa, and South and Southeast Asia, the imperative at this moment is to help lessen the pain that so many are suffering in our own country.
Operation USA is committed to alleviating problems at home and,with your help, we continue to expand our support of California’s nonprofit community health clinics (over 200 of them) with medical supplies and training to meet vastly increased demands for their services; and, we continue to support over 50 clinics, social service programs and schools in the Hurricane Katrina areas of Louisiana and Mississippi. Two years ago, we “winterized” parts of the Wounded Knee Native American Reservation in South Dakota; this year, we hope to launch a mobile dental care program for Native American women and their children in New Mexico.
The “noise” of the Recession, a growing preoccupation with personal finances and a $4 billion general election are overshadowing the needs of nonprofits and those they serve.
Can we count on you again to support Operation USA’s work by making a special contribution? Our neighbors have never needed it more.
This is an important election year, of course, and we expect and hope you will participate, both personally and financially. History has shown, however, that organizations such as ours struggle to keep our heads above water during such times. Please don’t let that happen to us this year. The need is simply too great. You’ve come through for us before. We’re counting on you again.
Sincerely,
Richard M. Walden
President & CEO
Operation USA Night at
Madison Square Garden
On March 3, in collaboration with the New York Knicks, Operation USA hosted an event at Madison Square Garden. Thanks to support from members of Operation USA's Board of Directors, and local donors in New York, 140 children associated with the Harlem Children's Fund were able to attend the Knicks versus New Orleans Hornets game. The event served to raise awareness about Operation USA and its programs, as well as our expanding presence in New York. Operation USA hopes to continue to develop our relationship with the New York Knicks, and other domestic teams through NBA Cares.
For more information on Operation USA's New York office- contact ngowrinathan@opusa.org.
Special Thanks to:
Jeff Franklin,
Dave Brubaker,
Stewart Rahr,
Paul Polizzotto and
David Garfinkle
David Lee of the New York Knicks
and a happy fan
Community Clinics Open House
On Wednesday, February 20th, clinics from throughout Los Angeles and Orange counties braved the stormy weather and congested freeways for another exciting Open House. Over 30 agencies and more than 100 representatives “shopped” our Port of Los Angeles warehouse for critical supplies and medicines donated by our corporate partners and distributed free of charge. Recently awarded a wholesaler permit by the California Board of Pharmacy, Operation USA distributed prescription medicines including antihistamines, antidepressants, and birth control pills. The clinics were eager to receive these pharmaceuticals, in addition to other useful items, ranging from disposable safety syringes and gauze to diagnostic equipment and office furniture. The value of these materials helps the clinics to treat their patients as well as offset expensive operating costs.
According to one attendee, “OpUSA’s longstanding dedication to our work is invaluable. Not only are the items useful, but we use the money we would have otherwise spent on supplies towards expanding our patient services. The value of these Open House events far exceeds the price of the supplies.”
Nonprofit community clinics provide high quality care to all individuals, regardless of their ability to pay. These safety-net clinics treat the growing number of uninsured and underinsured throughout Southern California, often with minimal financial assistance from local and state government agencies.
Through our Community Clinics Supply Program and our Open House events, Operation USA continues to support these clinics by meeting their critical supply needs, and helping them better serve the men, women, and children that use their services. Our program is made possible in part through funding by the Southern California Regional Community Benefit Department of Kaiser Permanente, the Lincy Foundation, and, recently, the Annenberg Foundation. Additionally, we receive generous supply donations from such partners as McKesson, Medline, PLDevelopments, and Brother’s Brother Foundation.
As the last clinic packed up a van full of medicines and supplies, Operation USA staff began tallying the total donation. Over $1.2 million of supplies were distributed, marking another successful Open House. The recipient clinics will not only better deliver their services but also help create healthier and safer communities for all of us.
Southern California Wildfires
Twenty-four fires swept through six counties in Southern California in October 2007, burning over 500,000 acres of land from Santa Barbara through San Diego. More than 800,000 people were evacuated, 1,500 homes were destroyed, 85 people were injured, and nine were killed as a direct result. Damages are estimated to exceed well over $1 billion.
In response, Operation USA contacted our local nonprofit health clinic, migrant community, Native American, and government partners. We immediately distributed thousands of N95 masks to protect against smoke and dust inhalation and sent thousands of work gloves and goggles to help in the cleanup efforts. We then distributed thousands of Albuterol inhalers to clinics throughout the region to treat resultant respiratory diseases and help replenish dwindling pharmacies.
However, our involvement -- as is consistent with our philosophy -- did not end there.
Recently, with funds from private donors and foundations, we distributed $60,000 to the Council of Community Clinics, the advocacy group for nonprofit health centers in San Diego, to serve the hardest hit communities. The Council forwarded these funds to their member clinics impacted by the fires, contributing to their recovery and operations costs resulting from the disaster. In early March, we gave an additional $20,000 to help the clinics recover and better prepare for the next inevitable disaster. All told, we have given more than $200,000 in funds and supplies to those groups that fearlessly and tirelessly worked with communities in harm’s way. Operation USA remains firm in our commitment to continue to support our partners as they recover from these fires and prepare for the next emergency.
