Global Outreach- Operation: Care and Comfort

Stroller Warriors® is a dynamic organization—composed of military spouses and their families with a strong focus on running, building friendships and a support network, along with a strong emphasis on community outreach helping both the military and civilian communities. All Stroller Warriors chapters organize community outreach projects which aid local community organizations near the chapter’s base.  On top of this Stroller Warriors Global coordinates four larger community outreach events throughout the year with all chapters taking part in working towards a singular cause.   

​For the Month of March, Stroller Warriors hosted a month long Global Outreach Event supporting Operation: Care and Comfort (www.occ-usa.org). Operation: Care and Comfort was established in April 2003 when the three co-founders decided to combine their efforts to support military troops stationed in combat zones overseas. Since their start, they have grown exponentially thanks to the outpouring support from fellow Americans.

Writing letters, mailing care packages, hosting welcome home events, and showing support to a deployed service member or veteran’s family are a few of the activities organized by Operation: Care and Comfort.  Currently, the organization supports multiple military units in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other conflict areas. Service members in these areas receive multiple care packages filled with non-perishable food items, toiletries, letters of appreciation and well wishes, gift cards for phone services to call home, and a simple DVD or CD for entertainment.  One of the most unique aspects is that these units and service members are “adopted” by Operation: Care and Comfort throughout their entire time away. This simple gesture shows appreciation towards each service member and supplies them with much needed items.  Along with care packages, Operation: Care and Comfort aids military families in need through the “Adopt a Military” program—which allows civilian families, and organizations to help with a one-time assistance with anything from utilities, groceries, gasoline for a car, or a gift for a child. Additionally, Operation: Care and Comfort also works with professional and college sports teams, entertainment venues, and promoters to send thousands of troops, reservists, veterans and their immediate families to events at a discount or even for free! Their “Tickets for Troops” program is a fantastic way for military families to experience a fun family filled day in California

​Our Stroller Warriors chapters went above and beyond sharing information about Operation: Care and Comfort, running miles, creating cards, writing letters, and donating non-perishable items for care packages. Please check out the amazing work below:

Stroller Warriors Cherry Point, North Carolina held a dedication run on March 12th. Runners logged miles at the in-person meet up, but also encouraged virtual participation for those who were unable to attend. Together the chapter logged 39.55 miles.

Stroller Warriors 29 Palms, California dedicated miles and collectively ran 738 miles

Stroller Warriors Kanehoe Bay, Hawaii dedicated miles to Operation: Care and Comfort. Members made sure to post selfies and use the hashtag, #swsupportsoccusa. Collectively members ran a total of 728.94 miles!

Stroller Warriors Okinawa, Japan held multiple events with several ways to support Operation: Care and Comfort-- members donated 37 non-perishable items for care packages, mini warriors created cards and letters, organized a card making station at the C25K grad race on March 27th, and dedicated mileage with 548.72 miles logged. 
​
Stroller Warriors Oak Harbor, Washington held a month-long donation drive collecting items for care packages and were able to send out two full boxes of items!

Thank you, Stroller Warriors, for your wonderful support! We are so proud of you!
 
Happy Running! 
-Mollie M.
_______________________________________________________

Mollie M. has been a member of Stroller Warriors for about 7 years. She has run and volunteered with Stroller Warriors® Camp Lejeune, Stroller Warriors Fort Belvoir, Stroller Warriors Elsewhere, and Stroller Warriors Okinawa. Mollie is currently one of the Chapter Coordinators for Stroller Warriors Okinawa and works with the Stroller Warriors® Global Page team. She currently posts the Wednesday Warrior Workouts and coordinates the monthly Global Outreach Events throughout the year.