Operation Care International (OCI) Celebrates 10 Years of Helping the Homeless During the 2011 Christmas Gift for the Homeless

Operation Care International (OCI) announces the 8th annual 2011 Christmas Gift for the Homeless is billed as ‘The Nation's Largest Christmas Party for the Homeless.’ On December 17, 2011, OCI and its volunteer base of over 3,000 will be organized at the Dallas Convention Center from 8:00AM to 3:00PM hosting a spectacular event for the homeless and impoverished population of Dallas. OCI is celebrating its 10th year of helping the homeless in the DFW Metroplex.

A special invitation has gone out to all DFW area USA WWII Veterans and all DFW disabled homeless Veterans to participate in the opening ceremony of the 2011 Christmas Gift on December17, 2011. Susie Jennings, founder of Operation Care International, is an advocate for the homeless of DFW with a special heart for homeless veterans. And, her late husband was a veteran. Statistics indicate that up to 30% of the homeless are veterans. At the 2011 Christmas Gift opening ceremony, OCI will honor the oldest of our Veterans, those who have served in WWII, and the disabled homeless Veterans who have served in any U.S. conflict. Our WWII Veterans, one representing each branch of the service, will be our honorary hosts and open the Christmas Gift event and honor the homeless Veterans in attendance. Ms. Jennings said, “OCI would like to honor these men of valor who served our country. They deserve it.”

OCI is also seeking volunteers to help with the 2011 Christmas Gift and to conduct drives in their businesses, organizations, churches, or neighborhoods. Items that are needed, besides coats, are sleeping bags, blankets, new shoes for men and women (sensible shoes like quality tennis shoes, work shoes and boots, etc.), and new socks. Personal care products are needed like toothpaste, toothbrush, wash cloths, shampoo, conditioner, hand/body lotion, combs, hand sanitizer, combs, soap, men’s shaving razors, and feminine hygiene products. New gifts for children with families are needed in the age categories of ages 3-6, ages 7-10, and ages 11-14. Also, remember kids need coats. To find out more, please visit the website at www.opcare.org.

Volunteers are launching drives across the Metroplex. “My goal for 2011 is to collect over 5,000 coats,” said Zach Wooden a youth of Plano, Texas who spoke at the Operation Care International 10th Anniversary Fundraising Gala. Zach collected over 1045 coats in 2010 with the help of friends and Plano Starbucks.

Over 12,000 homeless and impoverished guests are expected at the 2011 Christmas Gift. Over 3,000 volunteers will be needed to serve these guests. Volunteers will work in the following areas: Prayer, Children, Volunteer Task Force, Homeless Gifts, Medical, Evangelism, Facilities, Inside Ministry (Counseling, Family Reunification, Haircuts, Makeovers, Food), Praise & Worship Entertainment, Fundraising, Outside Ministry, Media/PR. To register as a volunteer, sign up at www.opcare.org/how_to_volunteer.

Volunteers are invited to attend OCI Christmas Gift planning meetings each *Sunday until December 11, from 4:00-6:00 pm, at First Baptist Church, Spurgeon/Harris Building, 9th Floor, 1707 San Jacinto, Dallas, Texas. Free parking available on Bldg. Levels 1-6. *There will not be a meeting on Sunday, November 27.

Additional Information:
• See NEW website at www.opcare.org with Ms. Jennings bio, pictures of Veterans attending the Operation Care International 10th Anniversary Fundraising Gala, 2011 Christmas Gift updates and donation and volunteer information.
• See Facebook Page at Operation Care International.

Since 2001, OCI has served over 76,000 homeless and impoverished persons at various community events. The hallmark event is the annual Christmas Gift for the Homeless held at the Dallas Convention Center each December. OCI also conducts other outreach ministries throughout the year. Over 13,400 volunteers have participated in OCI events in Dallas. OCI is continuing its international presence with a focus on homeless and impoverished children. OCI has facilitated events in the Philippines, India, Africa, Taiwan, and China. Over 13,000 children have been served and 1,400 volunteers have assisted OCI with international events. OCI is also funding the construction of a new school building that will be used to educate up to 100 students, in Ilorairokuo, Magadi, which is 50 miles south of Nairobi, Kenya.

Operation Care International, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit ministry.

For interviews with Susie Jennings:
Please contact Gary Daniels at 940-395-9512, or Laura Juntti, 214-803-7941.