Press Release

Operation Homefront Welcomed by Governor and Other Boston-Area Dignitaries

5/17/2012

Charity Opening Boston Field Office to Help Military Families and Wounded Warriors Across New England    

BOSTON – Operation Homefront, the national nonprofit that provides emergency financial and other assistance to military families and Wounded Warriors, was welcomed to New England last night by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and other Boston-area dignitaries.  The organization is opening a field office in Boston, which will provide Operation Homefront’s services in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Governor Patrick, recalling his personal visits to Massachusetts Guardsmen deployed overseas, noted how he was struck that they were just normal people – our neighbors.  He also thanked Operation Homefront for helping our military families at their “moments of acute need.”

From Boston, the New England field office will coordinate Operation Homefront’s network of volunteers in military communities throughout the five New England states.  Founded shortly after 9/11, Operation Homefront’s services includes emergency grants to pay for expenses like rent or mortgage, home and appliance repairs, and car repairs for the families of deployed service members.  Operation Homefront also provides emergency food assistance to these families.

The organization’s morale programs include back to school backpacks for military kids and Homefront Celebrations and Wounded Warrior Wives, which provide assistance to military spouses.  In addition, three Operation Homefront Villages across the nation provide transitional housing to the families of Wounded Warriors while they rehabilitate and transition out of the military.

“The American people have shown their commitment to taking care of military families,” said Jim Knotts, President and CEO of Operation Homefront.  “As the troops have withdrawn from Iraq and draw down from Afghanistan, the needs of our men and women in uniform will change, but not diminish.  That is the reason we are here in Boston and why we are renewing our commitment to service members and their families in New England.”

Also attending the welcome event in Boston was a spouse of a wounded Massachusetts National Guardsman, whose family recently received emergency financial assistance from Operation Homefront.

New England military families in need of emergency assistance can contact Operation Homefront at 1.800.722.6098 or log on to OperationHomefront.net to apply.

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About Operation Homefront:  A national nonprofit, Operation Homefront leads more than 4,500 volunteers with nationwide presence, and has met more than 590,000 needs of military families since its inception in 2002.  A four-star rated charity by watchdog Charity Navigator, nationally, 94 percent of total revenue donated to Operation Homefront goes directly to assist service members.  For more information, go to www.OperationHomefront.net.