Operation Home Front
By Amanda WilliamsReporter, The VOICE
Lending a hand to those in need, financially supporting families who have no where else to turn, supplying medical assistance to the wounded and the sick; these are all examples of acts of kindness that everyone would like to partake in, but what if the people who are being helped are people who have been fighting for America's freedom?
What if the families receiving assistance are families who have lost a loved one in battle? What if the ones in need are those who are in a third world country and have a family at home? These are all valid "what if" questions, but one question still remains, who does the helping?
Operation Homefront is an organization that does everything to help American soldiers and their families in any and every way possible.
With chapters in over 30 states across America and despite the fact that the organization is mostly volunteer-based, Operation Homefront has helped over 45,000 families in need.
Margy Bons, president of the Arizona chapter, describes the purpose of Operation Homefront the most accurately, "No matter what people believe [about] our war, we were attacked in our country and we cannot let those who died be forgotten."
The organization works with active military, which can include soldiers who have been deployed or injured and/or are classified in E-6 commission ranking or below.
For example, for military families in need, Operation Homefront can offer services such as vision care, furniture, car assistance, gift cards for necessities like groceries and gas and electricity, financial assistance for utility bills, the list goes on and on.
Every chapter does different fundraisers to help families in any way possible.
Another event that the Arizona chapter hosts, perhaps the biggest one of the year, is the Freedom Walk.
The purpose of the Freedom Walk is simply to continue to honor those who lost their lives when our nation was attacked on September 11th and to honor those who are still serving.
On Friday, Sept. 11 the Freedom Walk will be held at Memorial Hall, Steele Indian School Park at 6 p.m. and will include a concert by CTS Band, a one mile walk, which Bons describes as "such a gorgeous walk, you don't even know it's been a mile," and so much more.
If you would like to participate in the Freedom Walk or want more information about volunteer opportunities, the Operation Homefront organization, or are part of a military family in need, go to www.operationhomefront. net
Please send comments to awilliams@gccvoice.com
