Dear ATA Family:
My name is Meghan O’Malley. I’m a junior in the ATA College Prep program and a member of ATA Academy. My dad, Mike O’Malley, is a veteran. He was an officer in the United States Navy Reserves, and he was called to active duty in March 2006, where he served in Operation Enduring Freedom in Kabul, Afghanistan. He is one of the 2.5 million men and women who have been deployed to fight the War on Terror in Afghanistan and Iraq. I am incredibly proud of him and I feel incredibly fortunate – he returned home safely in June 2007.
Recently, a school project led me to do some research on the casualties of the War on Terror, and I learned that many are not as lucky as my dad. According to Defense Department statistics, over 50,000 men and women have been physically wounded in action. This is more than any other war in our nation’s history. It’s hard to find exact numbers of those considered seriously wounded, but I’ve seen estimates as high as 10,000 - that’s 10,000 American military men and women who have injuries so serious that they will be in the hospital or long-term rehabilitation centers an average of 2.5 years before they can return home.
There are three major military hospitals where our wounded go to heal; one is located in San Antonio. Currently, there are over 400 military personnel going through some form of rehabilitation at the San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC). Many of them have families with children. There are over 900 children who have a parent going through rehabilitation at SAMMC. The numbers won’t stop there – we will have more coming to San Antonio as the War on Terror continues.
All of these “numbers” are moms, dads, and kids. They each have a story. They are not from Texas, but they came, on a moment’s notice, to San Antonio. They leave their lives behind while they help their loved ones recover. Spouses quit their jobs; kids go to new schools in a new city. They live out of suitcases, in temporary housing, for months – even years. In addition to the worry of recovery to a “new normal,” they face financial challenges. They go without the basic things we take for granted.
I wanted to find out how to help and began researching charities. Last week, I met with representatives from Lake Travis Christmas Hope (http://laketravischristmashope.org/). It was started in 2009 by a retired Air Force General, who collaborated with his golfing friends, pooled their money, and gave it to families at SAMMC so they could celebrate Christmas. It grew from golfing friends to the Lakeway community and even throughout the country.
I chose to work with Lake Travis Christmas Hope because:
• They work directly with staff and case workers at the Warrior Family Support Center at SAMMC. (http://www.bamc.amedd.army.mil/military/wfsc/).
• They give away 100% of all the money they collect. All expenses are donated by the charity founders and volunteers. (Rated highly by charitynavigator.org<http://charitynavigator.org>)
• They focus their efforts on families with children.
• They have results. Since 2009, they have assisted 495 families (with over 1,047 children), providing $340,000 in grants.
Last week, I also met with Coach Newman who helped me develop a plan to raise money to help these families.
• Goal: Raise money to help our heroes have hope this season. This will provide grants to families in need, as determined by military case workers, at the San Antonio Warrior Support Center. With our help, they will have some of their burdens lifted. They will be able to afford presents for their children, holiday dinner, and/or transportation costs to bring family members to San Antonio.
• Your donations are 100% Tax Deductible; they can be accepted as follows:
1. Every Academy, JA and JD player will be provided with an addressed envelope.
2. Write a check to AASF (write “Hope” in the memo) and drop it off in the pro shop.
3. Mail a check to AASF (write “Hope” in the memo line) and mail it to
AASF, c/o Osborn Consulting, Inc.
4407 Bee Cave Road, Suite 412
Austin, TX 78746
4. On December 15th, AASF will submit all of the proceeds we collect. 100% of your donations will go to our wounded military heroes and their families who need it most.
I will make sure you get a receipt for your tax records; I will let you know how we helped our nation’s heroes.
I have been part of the ATA community since I was 10 years old, and our generosity and spirit of giving is always awe-inspiring.
Thank you for supporting and helping those who sacrificed for us.
Sincerely,
Meghan O’Malley