Guidelines
for Our Angels
Operation
Support Our Troops could not exist without the generous gifts of time
and talent by our members. Only through the good works of our “angels”
are we able to reach out to so many deployed soldiers and Marines, as
well as to our wounded and recovering military personnel. Due to our rapid
growth, our widespread and individual efforts, and our status as a 501(c)(3)
nonprofit, OSOT must ask that its members adhere to the following:
•
Operation Support Our Troops is the official name of our organization.
As such, ALL programs, events and projects should carry this name. One-time
sub-projects (for example: Send a Heart to a Hero) may incorporate another
name, but should ALWAYS be referred to as: Project XYZ, an activity of
(or “a part of” or “a fundraiser for”) Operation
Support Our Troops.
•
The security and privacy of our military personnel is of the utmost importance.
For that reason, no names will be added to our list until the soldier
himself, his family or chain of command has given permission. In addition,
OSOT members will NOT share the names and addresses they receive (not
even the first name of the soldier) with anyone. Members will oversee
all phases of packing, sealing and mailing of the boxes to our troops.
•
ALL shipped boxes should have one OSOT ticker attached on the top. This
allows the troops to know that OSOT angels have packed this box and that
it is not from some unknown source. To request your stickers, simply send
an email to owner-support-our-troops@west-point.org.
•
OSOT does NOT have a political agenda and its members do not critique
the policies of the United States Government and/or Department of Defense.
•
OSOT sends packages to deployed troops and wounded personnel in order
to assist them in their daily lives and to lift their spirits. However,
until such time as a personal communication is established with a soldier
or Marine, members are asked to refrain from including religious materials
in their boxes or initiating any discussion that might appear to be of
a proselytizing nature.
•
While OSOT encourages its members to share the message of how we help
our deployed and wounded military, no member is authorized to make policy
for the organization. Members should take care to ensure that anything
they say about OSOT is accurate. For this reason, we encourage you to
review the information provided on the website often, and always have
the OSOT mission statement with you when you address organizations. See: http://www.west-point.org/family/support-our-troops/.
The Mission Statement is available in downloadable form for your convenience.
•
When planning to make presentations and/or present written information
to organizations or individuals, members are requested to submit the proposed
PR materials to owner-support-our-troops@west-point.org for approval.
•
So that OSOT can maintain accurate records, all shipments to the troops
should be reported online at: https://secure.west-point.org/osot/
•
All donations of money or product must be reported to the OSOT Treasurer,
who will provide guidance and forms for the proper reporting of financial
information: support-our-troops-owner@west-point.org
•
Donations to OSOT are tax deductible by the donor to the extent allowed
by law. Members may accept checks made out to: OSOT. Donations by check
should be forwarded to the OSOT Treasurer: OSOT, P.O. Box 404, North Kingstown,
RI 02852. Donations to OSOT may also be made online at our secure credit
card site: https://secure.west-point.org/osot/donate/
•
All postal and customs regulations must be adhered to, and should be reviewed
periodically to ensure that improper materials and/or food products are
not included in shipments.
The information
provided on our website regarding packing and shipping boxes answers most
applicable questions. See: http://www.west-point.org/family/support-our-troops/packing.html .
For a
complete explanation of all APO / FPO restrictions, you may refer to the
detailed information provided at http://www.usps.com/supportingourtroops/mailingrestrictions.htm
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