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Recession Fears Hit Kids of KIA Troops
Recession Fears Hit Kids of KIA Troops
Published 12-17-07
Submitted by Operation Ensuring Christmas
ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Operation Ensuring Christmas ...for Children of Fallen Troops announced today that its programs supporting Children of US Troops may suffer due to fears of an economic recession in the US. Donations to OEC are down in the third quarter compared to the same period last year. Many of the children and families received little or no benefits following the loss of their military parents. Children of the fallen have 'fallen through the cracks' due to insufficient congressional bills, certain family situations and other reasons beyond the control of the children. The financial outlook is bleak for so many who have sacrificed so much.
$100.00 VISA Christmas Gift Cards have been sent to some of the children but this will only put a small dent in the needs of these families this Holiday season. The Gift cards were sent in personalized Christmas Cards donated by Genesis Direct Marketing of Tampa Florida. Some in the business community have stepped up along with generous individual Americans but so much more is needed.
"I don't know if we can afford the gas," said Jennifer Swain. This was after being asked if she and her two sons could drive the 100 miles to Orlando to participate in OEC's Christmas VIP Theme Park Vacation program for children of the Fallen. (OEC covered all of their expenses.) "Aaron and Joel lost their dad in Kuwait protecting this nation's oil supply and they can’t afford 10 gallons of gas. I've heard too many stories like this. It just doesn’t seem right," said OEC founder Robert McDowell. National Guard Sgt. Dennis Boles died in Kuwait just before entering Iraq. While in Orlando the kids rode aboard OEC's, Premier Tec sponsored float with Country Music star Michael Peterson in the 2007 Orlando Christmas parade.
Operation Ensuring Christmas, a 501-c3 not-for-profit, was founded in October 2004 to provide support to the children of fallen American troops. OEC provides the children with VISA Christmas Gift Cards during the holiday season and a VIP 'Christmas in July' Orlando Theme Park vacation. "These children truly are VIPs, Very Important 'Precious lil heroes' who have made the ultimate sacrifice a child can make for their country, the loss of a parent in service to our nation. The programs from OEC are to help these children 'be kids again,'" said OEC founder Robert McDowell.
OEC and Renn Music Productions made a dream come true for many of the kids last year by bringing them into studios across the country to sing on the 'A lil Heroes Christmas' CD produced by Operation Ensuring Christmas. 100% of the proceeds from the CD go to OEC and its programs benefiting the Children. The children are also featured in OEC's 'Jingle Bells' video available for viewing at www.OpChristmas.org
Operation Ensuring Christmas is also a member of America Supports You, a program that helps link all the different efforts of the over 200 charitable organizations supporting the troops, and communicates that support to members of our Armed Forces and their families.
For more information on Operation Ensuring Christmas visit http://www.OpChristmas.org.
To schedule an interview with McDowell or for more info e-mail Mediarelations@opchristmas.org or call +1-321-251-7850.
