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Not all active military and veteran non profits are created equal. Since starting at GRITR Sports I have had the chance to visit with and witness the impact of dozens of organizations that help our nation’s veterans. I have learned one very important thing. There is no other organization that is more dedicated and focused than “Operation Once In a Lifetime”. This 501(c)(3) organization is headed by SGT Patrick Sowers. He has spent years cultivating one of the most productive networks of like minded individuals that go above and beyond for our military. GRITR Sports has been partnering with Operation Once in a lifetime for a few months and the relationship has not only been life changing for both companies but also the veterans that have been lucky enough to be a part of these incredible events. Why should you consider donating or volunteering for Operation Once in a Lifetime? I will let them explain…
“Operation Once in a Lifetime (OOIAL)” is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created to make the dreams of the U.S. Service Members, Honorably Discharged Veterans and their families come true. Operation Once in a Lifetime was originally created to offer once in a lifetime experiences for our Active Duty Service Members, Veterans and their families, to give once in a lifetime memories that most of our troops and their families would not normally have the opportunity to have.
These experiences would come in many ways, such as MLB Baseball, NFL, NHL & NBA games, or perhaps a once in a lifetime trip to Disney World and more. With hundreds of our military having once in a lifetime experiences coming true thanks to OOIAL and many soldiers saying after each experience it was a wish come true, it was not long until Operation Once in a Lifetime got its nickname as the “Make-A-Wish” of the military.
Operation Once in a Lifetime truly takes being called the “Make-A-Wish” of the military to heart. However, what we deeply pride ourselves on is that we also recognize the importance of practical wishes, and truly believe every request for help is a wish. We often say, if you do not have food for your family, what would you wish for? Our military, both active duty and Veterans should not worry about not having food, providing beds for their kids, worrying if their electricity will still be on when they go home or if their house will be foreclosed on when serving his/her country.
A soldier needs a program that will provide emergency assistance when needed and during life changing instances, regardless of rank, race, branch of service, disability or deployment status. Too many of our military heroes are turned away from so many organizations because they don’t fit a criteria. Could you imagine serving years in the military with multiple deployments and being turned away from an organization because you are not wounded enough, or you’re the wrong rank, perhaps you served during the wrong time, or wrong war? Our military needs a program that can help make a life altering contribution when they are in their greatest need; Operation Once in a Lifetime is that program.”- Team Operation Once in a Lifetime
GRITR Sports is proud to assist and partner with veterans in need through the OOIAL paid internship program, as well as procure Items for the OOIAL “Support Your Troops Resale” store in Plano, TX. Through our partnership OOIAL has recently assisted multiple GRITR veteran employees go on a dove hunt in Argentina, visit Arlington National Cemetery to see the graves of fallen friends and family, and a charity skydiving event in Florida. Additionally, Gritr Sports is happy to help support Operation Once in a Lifetime by donating 100% of proceeds from current and future events held at our retail store and shooting range location in North Richland Hills, TX. GRITR’s most recent event benefiting OOIAL was “Gears and Guns 2” Carshow on August 27th where we raised over $2500 for an upcoming OOIAL 9/11 NY city trip. We hope that any of our customers and readers on this platform will help us show support for this great nonprofit by donating at https://operationonceinalifetime.com/
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