OSOT - Operation Support Our Troops

Many of our newest angels included a note with their subscription request indicating that they want to adopt a soldier, or want to get their school involved in a drive to collect for the troops.

May I suggest that our newest members spend some time reading through the website, and reviewing your role .... Don't bite off more than you will be comfortable with in the beginning ... Yes, many of our angels adopt 10,
20 or more soldiers ... even more of our angels adopt 1, 2 or 3.

We have soldiers aplenty in need of adoption for holiday boxes. When you are ready, and want a name, please send your request to me directly at support-our-troops-owner@west-point.org, and
include the following information

(1) your name
(2) your complete mailing address
(3) the number of soldiers you wish to adopt.

Every OSOT box is sent with an OSOT sticker. These stickers are known 'round the world, and the soldiers know when they see the familiar OSOT logo sticker on the box that the box is most assuredly filled to the
brim with goodies. You must put a sticker on each box ~ hence the request for your address, so that we can send stickers out to you. :-)

Cash Donations

Please remember that if you receive donations to help defray the cost of your shipping, etc .... checks should be made out to OSOT, and you should send them down to our treasurer. This way, the funds are
properly deposited in the OSOT account, and you need not worry about tax ramifications. Our treasurer will then send you an OSOT check for the amount of your deposit.

OSOT's mailing address is:

OSOT
PO BOX 404
North Kingstown, RI 02852

or donate using our secure online credit card form

Great question about credit card donations: If our friends donate to the site, then how do we get the donation to help us ship? I have several friends who have donated money for shipping in the past. I assume if they do it through the credit card site, they will be able to take the deduction, but how will we get the money to pay for the shipping?
Answer: Simple. You will notice that there is a section on the credit card site marked: " We welcome your thoughts" ... How did you hear about OSOT ... and then a box for messages. IF your friend is making a donation via credit card to help you defray the cost of your shipping, simply have them write that in the message area ... "Donation intended to help Susie Smith of (town) (state) defray the cost of shipment." Our Treasurer will then issue a check to you in that amount.
.... and, if your friend forgets to note that in the message part of the credit card site, a quick email to our treasurer, stating who made the donation and what angel it is intended to help will do the trick.

Also, please remember that we are registered in most states ~ and if you are collecting funds to defray the cost of shipping packages, you need to contact our treasurer at support-our-troops-owner@west-point.org. If you handle ANY money, record keeping is a must, and our treasurer will advise you appropriately.

The OSOT Name and How To Use It

All projects flying under the "Operation Support Our Troops" flag (meaning doing it as part of this organization) must be called just that: Operation Support Our Troops.

It is all encompassing .... it includes Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines, active duty, reserve and guard units.

It is US.

We need to remain consistent ... and we are very vigilent that our members do not stray and call themselves "a part of .....". We are all part of the whole: Operation Support Our Troops.

It's clear, it's concise, it's catching .... and it is already our banner under which we fly. We've had "Support Our Troops" days throughout the nation ~ no need to come up with any other name for the event.

Angel Reporting System

As you all know, this organization began as a grass roots effort. Through your energy and generosity, it has grown, like topsy … and last year, we filed for 501(c)(3) status. However, with growth and particularly with our
nonprofit organizational status, we must keep additional records …Which is where you, our dear angels, come in. Okay ... now here's the new part. Starting with our new fiscal year, we have "accountability requirements" for all members. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, we must account for volunteer time and for goods and services donated. We have established an "Angel Reporting System" which each member MUST fill out with each shipment.

Simply go to the new site https://secure.west-point.org/osot/ and fill in all the information ..... Please note that while the "system" will let you submit without filling in every line, I will then have to write back and ask for the information .... so in all honesty, ALL "fields" are required. Do the best you can to fill in the information accurately.

We are starting this tracking as of January 1, 2005 - not for shipments made earlier. You don't need to email or snail mail this form anywhere ... A quick click on the "save" button, and all the information is stored properly. IF you have folks making neck coolers, hats, etc. for you - you should absolutely include the volunteer hours involved in making those things. These are administrative "accounting" requirements. You aren't sending me any paperwork - you should be keeping your own receipts for your own tax purposes. Those angels who have "accounts" set up with our treasurer will continue to work with her as before. However, you must also fill out this new shipment data form.

Forms Completion Tips:

* First Name
* Last Name
* State
* Number of Packages Shipped
* Total Cost of Shipping
* ESTIMATED value of box contents
* Volunteer hours (including your own) As in -in getting this shipment out the door, which would include any time spent talking with civic groups that lead up to donations included in this shipment, etc.

If you plan on taking your shipments as tax donations (and unless the shipments are going to a family member, you certainly can claim them as charitable donations on your tax returns) - you should be keeping copies of your receipts for your tax preparer. Using this form will actually help you organize for the tax man when he cometh :-), and you will have everything organized by each time you sent package ... Many of us have not saved grocery receipts, etc .... Have just made the purchases and shipped them off. I think that if we were to keep those receipts (mark the "stuff" for OSOT or pay for it separately) you'd be amazed at your own generosity.