Pittsburgh Marathon OTA Squadron

At Operation Troop Appreciation we continuously seek ways to serve our troops and support them in their mission. And now we have an opportunity to provide a great fitness opportunity to our running pals which will also sustain our work. Operation Troop Appreciation has joined the Pittsburgh Marathon as a participating charity and we are excited that our friends at the Marathon have provided this opportunity to raise funds and awareness of our work.

Please join us!

If you have already registered to run the Marathon, Half Marathon or run as part of a relay team, you may participate on behalf of Operation Troop Appreciation; simply let us know, and we will add your name to our list of participants.

If you have always wanted to do a Marathon, but have not yet followed through for whatever reason, maybe our troops can give you the incentive you need.

Everyone interested in running as a part of the Operatin Troop Appreciation Marathon Team will be linked for encouragement, support and helpful advice. We will do the registration and packet pickup for you to make your Marathon experience very convenient; and we'll provide a post race gathering point. We will assign you to a relay team if you wish or sign up your own relay group. You may participate as a runner OR A WALKER and we will provide a complimentary dri-fit tee shirt for you to represent Operation Troop Appreciation, either in the Marathon or in your future runs.

The cost for a half marathon is $200, full marathon $250 and relay teams $300.  Register today to show your support for the troops!
If you are interested in joining us, please contact Alice McLaughlin at gerardmac977@aol.com by Friday, March 25, 2010.

Merry Christmas Meals Project for Severely Wounded Veterans

Take a moment to read this information and make a donation today to help our wounded warriors!

Dear Patriotic American,
Your first Christmas gift of the year could also be the one that is appreciated the most.That’s because many U.S. troops who have been severely wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan have empty refrigerators. And their children have empty stomachs. In a minute I will explain why that is happening.

But first, please make a tax-deductible Christmas donation to the Merry Christmas Meals Project, sponsored by the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes.Your gift will help provide these financially strapped military families with a $60 gift card to buy groceries over the Christmas holidays, or even go out to a restaurant for dinner.

My name is Major General John K. Singlaub, U.S. Army (Ret.), and I'm writing to you because I understand you’ve supported patriotic causes in the past – and because our seriously injured servicemen and women desperately need your help this Christmas. I served during three wars, and now I’m working with the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes, an excellent organization formed in 2004 to provide emergency financial aid to severely wounded troops and their families in crisis.As you can imagine, the ongoing recession has hit our wounded troops especially hard. Even before the recession, nearly half the spouses of our wounded troops had quit their jobs to take care of them. But now, with the unemployment rate over 10 percent, many spouses who were able to work have lost their jobs as well.And other wounded heroes have to wait nine months or more for their disability checks to emerge from the government bureaucracy. No wonder these military families are having trouble putting food on the table! For the first time, the Coalition has a waiting list of severely wounded troops who need food for their children and other necessities. A gift of $60 can help provide Christmas dinner with all the trimmings for one severely wounded GI and his or her family, $120 can help feed two families, $180 can provide dinner for three families, and so on. And a gift of $15, $25 or $35 can be combined with other donations to feed a family in need.
Your gift to the Coalition's Merry Christmas Meals Project could help a retired Marine like Christopher Murphy of Pennsylvania, who told us that after being injured by a roadside bomb in Iraq, paying for “rent, food and car payments will be extremely difficult.” Or maybe even someone like Blair Didion Sr., who suffered multiple spinal fractures from a roadside bomb in Iraq. Sadly, Blair says he sometimes relies on “food from public pantries” to help feed his family. That’s just not right,and I’m sure you agree. The good news is you can let a wounded hero like Blair or Christopher know you respect and honor the painful sacrifice they’ve made by helping to provide their family with meals during the Christmas Season.

Let’s face it: Our paralyzed, blinded or brain-damaged servicemen and women won’t have the same kind of Christmas you and I will, no matter what. But your kindness and generosity can make their Christmas the best it can be, given the circumstances. Please send a generous gift to help put food on the table this Christmas Season for those who have made a painful, lifelong sacrifice while protecting your family’s freedom.

Thanks for your patriotic support,

Major General John K. Singlaub
U.S. Army (Ret.)
P.S. As I mentioned, thousands of GIs who have been severely wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan will have trouble putting food on the table this Christmas Season, and they desperately need your help. Your tax-deductible donation to the Merry Christmas Meals Project, sponsored by the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes, will be greatly appreciated by a disabled serviceman or woman who used to be able to feed their family, but can’t anymore.

 

4th Annual Veteran's Day 5K Race will be held on November 8, 2009 at the Hampton Community Park in Allison Park, PA.  Enjoy great entertainment throughout the day!  Runners will receive awesome goody bags, race t-shirts and awards for top 3 finishers in each of 13 age groups, door prizes and a post race All-American buffet!  Support the troops and register today for this awesome event.  Click here to register and for more information.

 Stuff A Caravan for the Troops Saturday, October 31, 2009 at Sam's Club in West Mifflin Pa from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  As the holidays approach, our requests increase and the need for quality items has never been greater.  Purchase one item from the OTA Donation List and OTA volunteers will load, transport and ship the items to the troops! 

Calico Jack's Halloween Event for the Troops.  Join OTA for a great evening of fun and troop support at Calico Jack's Cantina, North Shore Pittsburgh.  Make a donation for the troops and pay no cover!  Click here for more information.

4th Annual Veteran's Day 5K Race will be held on November 8, 2009 at the Hampton Community Park in Allison Park, PA.  Enjoy great entertainment throughout the day!  Runners will receive awesome goody bags, race t-shirts and awards for top 3 finishers in each of 13 age groups, door prizes and a post race All-American buffet!  Support the troops and register today for this awesome event.  Click here to register and for more information.

Anybody like pizza? Anybody like FREE pizza?
We thought so! That's why we're pleased to announce a special fundraising partnership with Vocelli Pizza. The Ladies AUX VFW Post 6664 in South Park is having a Fundraiser with Vocelli Pizza to benefit Operation Troop Appreciation.

WHAT:
$10 coupons with 12 stickers for pizza deals.
The first sticker is for a free pizza!
The other 11 stickers allow you to buy one, get one free!
The coupon PAYS FOR ITSELF with the first free pizza you order.
And it's all gravy from there!
Purchase a Gourmet with lots of toppings … get a 2nd one free!
It is also good for a one or 2 toppings … any size!
Delivery or pick up … your choice!
No expiration.

WHERE:
There are MANY participating locations in the Pittsburgh area and throughout the country (ask your favorite Vocelli shop for participating details).

WHY:
Because everyone loves pizza! And because our troops love to get packages of "wish list" items from OTA!

HOW:
Would you like to buy coupons for yourself, family or friends?
Would you like to help sell these coupons for OTA?

Order Your Tickets before October 31, 2009:

Contact Kathy Gasior at kgasior2@gmail.com or at 412-833-7561 to order tickets today.

Or order through Paypal:

 

 

Past Events:

 

Operation Troop Appreciation (OTA) cordially invites you to our fourth annual Charity Golf Outing.  Please join us to demonstrate support and gratitude for members of the US Armed Forces serving overseas!

 

The outing is on Saturday, June 27, at Hickory Heights in Bridgeville, PA (in the South Hills of Pittsburgh).  Lunch will be served, and the shotgun start at 1:00 pm will be followed by an awards banquet.  The banquet festivities include dinner, awards and prizes, silent auction, and door prize drawings. 

 

OTA is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that provides morale-boosting “wish list” items and tactical supplies to deployed American troops, such as under armor clothing, combat eyewear, riflescopes, sports equipment, personal care items and many other requested items.  Since our incorporation in 2004, we have provided more than 50,000 troops with items that ease the burden of long deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.  

 

TO GOLF:  Registration is $135 per person and includes greens and cart fees, lunch and a banquet dinner.  You may register as an individual golfer, or as a team.  Space is limited and registrants will be processed on a first-come basis.  Even if you cannot join us, your contribution of $135 will enable a member of the Armed Forces to golf for free.

 

 

March 16, 2009

Happy St. Patty's Day!

The volunteers of Operation Troop Appreciation (OTA) invite you to march together with them and some very special soldiers at the 2009 St. Patrick's Day Parade in Pittsburgh on Saturday, March 15th!

This will be the fourth time OTA has participated in the parade, proudly marching down the streets with soldiers in uniform, many of whom benefitted from OTA while they were deployed.  We invite you, your family and friends to join us for this special annual event. In past years, OTA marchers have come out in great numbers, and we hope to make this year our biggest yet!

Please join our volunteers and soldiers as we march together through the streets of Pittsburgh. Words cannot express how great it feels to witness the support the Pittsbugh community demonstrates for our men and women in uniform during this very special event, as we pass out candy to the crowd and celebrate together.

Please plan to join us! If you would like to be part of the OTA troop support group this year, contact Kristen Holloway at kholloway100@verizon.net for additional details on timing and location.

 

October 19 - 21 2007

1st and Goal Sports, Century III Mall, West Mifflin is hosting a sports memorabilia collectors show the weekend of October 19th.  Along with great sports items, you can purchase special items and have the proceeds benefit OTA! 

$5.00 Card packs contain limited and rookie edition cards plus a chance to win a Nintendo Wii game system!

$100.00 photo packs contain ten 8 x 10 autographed photos with select packs containing a special added bonus prize AND a chance to win a 16 x 20 framed, autographed Sidney Crosby photo plaque!

Stop by the OTA table and show your support while obtaining some great sports collectables!

 

November 10, 2007
Monte Carlo/Night At The Races

OTA is hosting a Monte Carlo/Night at the Races on Saturday, November 10, 2007 at St. Norbert’s Church, located at the intersection of Routes 51 and 88, in Pittsburgh, Pa.

The fun begins at 7 p.m. and concludes at Midnight. Festivities include races, games of chance, buffet dinner, beer and pop, DJ, silent auction, 50/50 raffle, and door prize drawings.  Ticket prices are $12.00 + $1.50 per order when ordered on-line.

Now, more than ever, support from the home front is needed and OTA relies on your kind generosity as we reach out to our brave heroes.You can help by becoming a sponsor of the event or by purchasing your tickets in advance. Will you join us?

Donate an item for our door prize and raffle drawings - no prize is too big or too small!  You may also help us by acting as an event sponor at these levels:

Patron Level: $250 donation
You or your company name will be listed in our Charity Monte Carlo/Night at the Races Program as a Patron.
 
Silver Level: $500 donation
Your name will be listed in our Charity Monte Carlo/Night at the Races Program as an event contributor at the Silver level.
 
Gold Level: $1,000 donation
Your name and company logo will be listed in our Charity Monte Carlo/Night at the Races Program as an event contributor at the Gold level.
 
Platinum Level: $2,500 donation
Your name and company logo will be listed in our Charity Monte Carlo/Night at the Races Program as an event contributor at the Platinum level.
 
Race Sponsorship:
The cost to sponsor one of our ten races is $25.00. You or your company name will be listed in our charity Monte Carlo/ Night at the Races program as a race sponsor. If you sponsor a race we ask that you sell each of the ten horses in that race at $10.00 each. The owner of the winning horse wins $25.00.

You or your company name will be listed in our Charity Monte Carlo/Night at the Races Program as a Race Sponsor.

The PovertyNeck Hillbillies has autographed three, limited edition acoustic guitars that will be raffled during upcoming concerts in Western Pennsylvania.  Visit the Operation Troop Appreciation table the night of each concert and purchase your tickets to win one of these rare music collectibles!

• August 2nd - The Fayette County Fair, Indoor Arena, 7:30 p.m.
• August 16th - The Washington County Fair, GrandStand Area, 7:30 p.m.
• August 25th - Win Clay's Chopper - The Biggest Party in the 'Burgh!, Blaine Hill Baseball Field, Elizabeth PA.  www.winclayschopper.com 

Please join us and attend one of these great events, listen to some of the finest country music ever made and support OTA at the same time!

August 11, 2007

Support OTA and Win a 37" LCD TV!

Computer Literates, a company headquartered in Allison Park, PA has decided to expand their troop support efforts by donating a 37" LCD TV and DVD player/recorder system.  They are selling tickets with proceeds going directly to Operation Troop Appreciation to assist with our ongoing fundraising efforts.  There are many ways you can obtain tickets.  Tickets are $5.00 each or buy 3 tickets for only $10.00!

• OTA volunteers will be selling tickets at all events between now and August 11, 2007.
• Tickets can be purchased at Computer Literates, 4731 Route 8, Allison Park PA.
• Computer Literates customers will receive one free ticket for every $100 of products or services purchased from the company.

The drawing will be held on Saturday, August 11, 2007 during Richland Community Days. The system will be on display at the company store until the day of the drawing and at the company booth at the Community Days event. If you have questions, or would like to order a supply of tickets to sell, call Computer Literates at 412 492 8055.

 

July 14 - 15, 2007
2007 Fallen Marine Memorial Runand Hogs Gone Wild Party

Join Operation Troop Appreciation at the 2007 Fallen Marine Memorial Run, July 14 - 15 at Gatto Cycle, Tarentum PA.  This two-day event will help raise funds that benefit local fallen Marines and their families.  Live bands and a motorcycle challenge are just a few of the events taking place.  Visit www.fallenmarinememorialrun.com for more information.

 

May 25-26, 2007
Pittsburgh Sports & Fitness Expo

This is an event for the whole family! Participate in the "Kidz & Teen Challenge" events, meet sports celebrities such as US Olympic Gold Medalist & Pro Wrestler, Kurt Angle, and learn about the best ways to stay fit and healthy!

May 25 - 26 - Pittsburgh Sports & Fitness Expo
Monroeville ExpoMart
Friday 5 p.m.- 10 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

OTA will be there, accepting donations and talking to visitors about our work and the soldiers we’ve helped.

Admission is FREE for any person presenting a valid military identification

 

May 18, 2007
2nd Annual OTA Charity Golf Outing

Spring is here and once again, the great citizens of Western Pennsylvania look forward to green grass, flowers and – GOLF! This year, when you hit the links, be sure to make the 2nd Annual OTA Charity Golf Outing the first event you sign up for. Y-108 morning show hosts, Zeke and Wookie will be on-hand, perhaps you can golf on their team!

This year's event will be held on Friday, May 18, 2007 at the Rolling Hills Country Club in McMurray, PA. A silent auction and banquet dinner will be held immediately following the golf event.

It's scramble play with a shot-gun start at noon, so all levels of expertise are welcome to share in this great day. Make a hole-in one and win a brand new car! Bid on some great sports collectibles at the silent auction or enter our raffle to win a complete set of golf clubs! These are just a few of the many great prizes you can win at the event.

You can participate as a sponsor or register to golf. We look forward to sharing a great day of troop support and golf with you!

Download Golf Registration Form
Download Sponsor Registration Form

 March 17, 2007

Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade - Pittsburgh, Pa

For the 3rd year, OTA was invited to participate in the 2nd largest St. Patrick's Day parade in the country.  Joining OTA volunteers were members of the 128th PA National Guard.  What an honor it was to march alongside these brave men and women while witnessing our citizens shaking their hands and saying "thank you".  Share in the moment and click here to view pictures from this wonderful day.

September 17, 2006

Hoops for Heroes at the Mall at Robinson

There’s nothing like a little healthy competition and the crowds turned out for that and some fun, while supporting our troops.

The Pennsylvania Army National Guard partnered with OTA to host Hoops for Heroes at the Mall at Robinson, near Pittsburgh, PA. The September 17 event consisted of a “free-throw” competition with participants donating one dollar for each attempt at the most consecutive number of shots.

Thanks to event sponsors Dick’s Sporting Goods, The Mall at Robinson, Sundance Vacations, Court Time Sports Center, R. K. Virgile Scrap Metals, and University of Pittsburgh Band Director Jack Anderson, the day was a huge success.

Congratulations to the winners in the four age categories, and thank you to all who participated!

We offer our very special thanks to event coordinator, Sgt. Mike Fischer of the PA Army National Guard. His efforts helped OTA raise enough money to provide a platoon of soldiers in Iraq their “wish” for Under Armour t-shirts.

 March 17, 2007

2007 Annual Pittsburgh St. Patrick's Day Parade

For the third year in a row, OTA was invited to participate in the 2nd largest St. Patrick's Day parade in the country.  Once again, the 128th National Guard from Hunt's Armory, Shadyside, PA came out with HUM-VEES and PLS trucks to lead our volunteers and soldiers down the parade route.  What a wonderful honor it is to march alongside these brave men and women - and to witness all the people shaking their hands and saying "thank you".  To see pictures from this wonderful day click here.

 

September 10, 2006
Screaming Eagles US Troop Support Bike Run

The motorcycle engines roared at Roma’s Restaurant, Sunday, September 10th for a bike run and pig roast, all in support of OTA and our deployed troops. The weather was perfect as more than 140 riders took to the roads in Pittsburgh.

Many kudos and our sincerest thanks to the staff of Roma Restaurant for making sure no detail was overlooked and everyone had a great time!

Proceeds from the day’s event went to provide “wish list items” for deployed soldiers from local Pittsburgh units.

 

May 6, 2006
Lieutenant Colonel Michael McLaughlin Memorial Golf Outing

On January 5, 2006, Lieutenant Colonel Michael McLaughlin of the 1-107th Field Artillery National Guard of Pennsylvania was killed in Ramadi. As a tribute to his unwavering love of country, selfless service to the US Military, leadership of his men, and friendship with OTA volunteers, OTA was proud to host a memorial golf outing to honor this beloved man.

The Oak View Golf Club in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, hosted the event. Golfers from as far away as Colorado came to support OTA and the McLaughlin family. The shot-gun start at 1:00 pm was followed by an awards banquet. The banquet festivities included dinner, awards, a sports memorabilia silent auction conducted by First & Goal Sports, raffle and door prize drawings.

Thank you to the McLaughlin family for allowing OTA to participate in this tribute to LTC McLaughlin, wonderful staff at the Oak View Golf Club for hosting the event, and to the all the golfers for coming to support OTA.

 

A Big Thank You to “Blues Eyed Blonde” for a great night of music at the Hard Rock Café on Sunday, April 30.  We are grateful to Captain Tony Caldarelli and his band for putting on this concert to benefit OTA. 

We also thank Marc Bulger, quarterback for the St. Louis Rams, for his support of OTA and coming out to join us.

And a huge Thank You to the Hard Rock Café at Station Square for their generosity and support in making this a great evening for all!

 

For the second year in a row, OTA volunteers proudly marched in Pittsburgh’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. We were joined by National Guard Soldiers from Pennsylvania and West Virginia. 

The crowd went crazy for the soldiers, coming out to shake their hands, thank them for their service, and pose for pictures.

Thank you to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee for allowing OTA to be part of this special event!

 

OTA was thrilled to be part of the annual Kidapalooza Event organized by the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

OTA partnered up with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard to host a special game for kids, talk to visitors about OTA ,and give out prizes provided by the 107th Field Artillery National Guard soldiers.

 A great time was had by all, and OTA extends a very special Thank You to CBS Radio for allowing us to be part of this great event!

 

OTA volunteers and local soldiers were special guests for the December 8, 2005 taping of the weekly Jerome Bettis Show. Jerome posed for pictures with local soldiers just returning from Iraq.

Thanks to Jerome Bettis of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Fox Sports for letting OTA be part of this awesome event.

 

Pittsburgh’s annual Light Up Night marks the beginning of the Christmas Season in Pittsburgh.  And OTA was honored to be part of this year’s Santa Spectacular and Light Up Night festivities. 

Our goal was to cover the OTA Christmas tree with hundreds of stocking that represented a gift to a soldier, such as phone cards, DVDs, Under Armour® t-shirts and other requested items. 

Donors purchased these “gift stockings’ and hung them on the tree, ensuring hundreds of soldiers would have a brighter Christmas and holiday season.

Visitors at the pavilion signed Christmas cards and kids colored pictures for OTA to send to deployed soldiers this holiday season. Thank you to Infinity Broadcasting for making this event so special for OTA and our country’s troops.

 

A special thanks to Clean Town Car Wash in Allison Park, PA for their generosity to OTA and a local American Legion Post for donating proceeds from every car wash during Veteran’s Day.

Because of their generosity and community spirit, OTA was able to provide Under Armour® t-shirts to an entire Infantry Unit in Iraq.

 

30 vendors offering products from cosmetics to crafts and home decor gathered at the Green Tree Radisson to show their support for our soldiers.

Proceeds from the day benefited two OTA projects, the 110th Infantry and the 3-319th Feild Artillery

 

October 9, 2004
Finnigan's Wake

OTA hosted a fundraising gala at Finnigan's Wake in PIttsburgh's North Side. Nine bands performed at the 10-hour event to share their music and help support our troops.

Ski passes, skis, sports memorabilia, a dirt bike, and other items were raffled off during the day and enough money was raised to finish out fitting all 530 soldiers of the 458th Combat Engineer Battalion with Under Armour® socks and t-shirts.

Thank you to our wounderful sponsors!

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