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"The Beginning" - Mark meets Steve Wariner, Trisha Yearwood, Jewel and Garth Brooks - NOV 2001 |
Mark presents Garth the OTA Inspiration Award - MAR 2008 | |
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 Photo by Dan Harr |
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It was SEP 2001 when I started to chart the course of creating Operation Troop Aid, Inc. Having been on deployment during the horrific attacks of 9-11, my shipmates and I watched as the second plane hit the WTC. We were on station and ready for any action the President required of us. Previously during that deployment, I was the coordinator / escort for an onboard concert by Chad Brock, a CMA recording artist. After the events of 9-11, I received an e-mail from the military concert coordinators that Garth Brooks wanted to do a concert onboard and televise it nationwide on CBS. I was again assigned and worked as the assistant coordinator. I toured Garth around the ship and met all of his entourage. This experience was extremely enlightening and Garth inspired me to start Operation Troop Aid. Upon transferring from that command to shore duty, I began to coordinate benefits for Toys for Tots and Military Appreciation on my off time. Then, one night I had a dream and woke up and searched the internet for the name "OPERATION TROOP AID". Finding it not used, I retained a lawyer to get incorporated and submit the IRS Non-Profit 501c3 paperwork, to which I was granted incorporation and charity status in the great state of Tennessee and was then awarded IRS 501c3 status. I later transferred to the great state of Virginia and was granted a foreign corporation and charity status. My dream is to turn OTA into the "Premier Care Package Provider" to deployed US Troops, by using major concert promotions and branch OTA out all over the country. I have worked tirelessly and assembled all the right players and now I just need corporate sponsors. Please help as we reach out to the deployed U.S. Troops, they need us NOW!! The mission of OTA is to make a positive difference and inspire deployed U.S. service members by letting them know America stands with them. OTA provides care packages with revenue generated through professional concert promotions and through public financial generosity.
Click Here to View and Print a PDF Version Requires Adobe Acrobat |
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Contact Info:
(901) 355-8844 |
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Operation Troop Aid is an IRS approved public charity and is not affiliated with the U.S. Military | ||||||||
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