I want to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who donated to my Café Collections for a Cause program during the fourth quarter of 2019! With your generous donations and my dollar-for-dollar match, I was able to present a check for $75,000 to Operation Homefront on Thursday, January 23 at my Falls Church, Virginia location.
Operation Homefront is a national organization whose mission is to build strong, stable, and secure military families so that they can thrive – not simply struggle to get by – in the communities that they have worked so hard to protect. Recognized for superior performance by leading independent charity oversight groups, 92 percent of Operation Homefront expenditures go directly to programs that support tens of thousands of military families each year. Operation Homefront provides critical financial assistance, transitional and permanent housing, and family support services to prevent short-term needs from turning into chronic, long-term struggles.
Duane McGowan, store manager, Falls Church, VA and Maurice Mckisset, store manager at my Waldorf, Maryland location, presented the check to Operation Homefront’s President and CEO, John Pray.
Mckisset is a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. McGowan is a Gulf War veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and served for six years total. He has three years of active duty and three years in the reserve.
“Our responsibility is to improve lives and our company supports and promotes that behavior,” said McGowan.
The check presentation was a great way to officially close out the fourth quarter Café Collections for a Cause program with Operation Homefront. In addition to raising funds in each of the Cafés, my team and I also supported a number of Operation Homefront programs including their Back-to-School Brigade, Holiday Meals for Military and Homes on the Homefront.
The fourth quarter Cafe Collections for a Cause campaign marked our first year working with Operation Homefront. We kicked off the partnership last summer with a check presentation for $18,000 at my Saugus, MA store.
I had a great time working with Operation Homefront this past year and learning about the amazing impact they have on the military community. I look forward to partnering on many more successful projects with Operation Homefront!
