The group came out ahead of three other finalists in online voting and ahead of more than 125 other organizations in total.
The members of Operation Yellow Ribbon of South Jersey showcase their patriotism throughout the year as they hold fundraisers and collect donations to send care packages to the men and women of the U.S. military serving overseas.
Perhaps it was only fitting the troop-support group would be rewarded for those patriotic efforts this year on the Fourth of July with the announcement that OYRSJ was the winner of the Wawa Foundation Hero Award contest and a donation of $50,000.
From June 15 through June 29, members of the public were invited to vote online in the Wawa Foundation Hero Award contest. According to the foundation, the contest honors non-profits in the Philadelphia area that support communities through preserving independence, promoting safety and inspiring youth.
With more than 125 other entrants, OYRSJ was one of four finalists in the contest, along with the Emily’s Entourage Cystic Fibrosis research group, the Lighthouse, Inc. North Philadelphia community support group and the West Philadelphia Alliance for Children that promotes childhood literacy.
While the other three finalists will each receive $10,000 from the Wawa Foundation to put toward their charitable goals, OYRSJ received the most votes in the online contest and was awarded the first-place prize of $50,000 during an Independence Day event at Independence Hall in Philadelphia on the Fourth of July.
“We were all going out of our minds and totally blown away by the announcement,” said Dave Silver, chair of OYRSJ.
Silver said last year his group shipped about 150 packages a month at a cost of $8,000 a month, with care packages each weighing somewhere between 30 to 40 pounds.
The group also hosts welcome-home celebrations for members of the military, in addition to fundraising and collection efforts to get the snacks, toiletries and other supplies for its care packages.
According to Silver, the $50,000 award was the largest, single monetary donation the group has ever received, and with the money, OYRSJ will be able to add to its reserves and continue its mission.
“For me personally, it means I can sleep a little better for a couple of months without having to worry where the money is going to come from,” Silver said jokingly. “What it means to us in reality is it gives us some protection.”
In reflecting on OYRSJ’s win in the contest, Silver said he always knew the group had a real chance just from how many members of the military, families and volunteers his group has affected over the years.
“We touch so many people,” Silver said. “You might ship to one guy or gal in a unit, but they share it with all their buddies. So when you share and they share, you’re exponentially touching more people than you can easily imagine.”
With the support of his 30 or so core group of volunteers, and countless others over the years, Silver said the win in the contest further proves their efforts have meant something to the community.
“It’s a complete honor,” Silver said. “Those other charities were all worthwhile and deserving, and to even have been picked as one of the four final charities just shows that all the work, effort, blood, sweat, tears and all that stuff our volunteers give is worthwhile.”
To learn more or help support OYRSJ, visit www.operationyellowribbonsouthjersey.org.
