March 2008

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