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About Us And What We DoOperation Grateful Hearts (OGH) is deeply rooted in a proud military legacy, with a family history of service dating back to World War I. Our family includes several retired and active-duty members who have served in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. With connections to every branch of the military, we understand the profound sacrifices and dedication that military families endure.
OGH’s journey began in 1992 when founder Wendy Jo Ackley, inspired by the overwhelming support her family received after a personal tragedy, decided to give back. To honor her brother's memory, Wendy Jo and her family began by sponsoring a military family for Christmas. This simple act of kindness grew into a tradition that expanded over the years, leading to partnerships with various non-profits to assist military families and Veterans across the Treasure Valley. |
In 2015, Wendy Jo partnered with the CW2 Joshua M. Tillery Memorial Fund and 101.9 The Bull radio station to provide necessities and Christmas support for local military families. After the Tillery Fund achieved its goals and retired in 2017, Wendy Jo, with their encouragement, founded Operation Grateful Hearts in January 2018 to continue this vital work.
Since its inception, OGH has significantly expanded its support for military personnel, veterans, and their families. Our year-round activities include providing transitional support for those leaving service, furnishing new homes for veterans and their families exiting homelessness, and ensuring families have the essentials to live healthy, safe, and productive lives in the community. We step in where government benefits end, offering the resources veterans and military families need to move forward.
Our flagship Winter/Christmas program is our most significant initiative, ensuring that families receive warmth, food, personal hygiene items, and relief from holiday stressors. This program enhances family well-being and helps reduce suicide rates within Idaho’s military community.
Since its inception, OGH has significantly expanded its support for military personnel, veterans, and their families. Our year-round activities include providing transitional support for those leaving service, furnishing new homes for veterans and their families exiting homelessness, and ensuring families have the essentials to live healthy, safe, and productive lives in the community. We step in where government benefits end, offering the resources veterans and military families need to move forward.
Our flagship Winter/Christmas program is our most significant initiative, ensuring that families receive warmth, food, personal hygiene items, and relief from holiday stressors. This program enhances family well-being and helps reduce suicide rates within Idaho’s military community.
OGH's impact has grown each year:
2018:
Sponsored Christmas dinner for 400 deployed Airmen from Mountain Home AFB and supported over 85 families, impacting more than 450 lives.
2019:
Assisted 30+ individuals and families throughout the year and supported 135+ families during the Winter/Christmas Program.
2020:
Provided aid to 145+ families during the COVID-19 pandemic and delivered over 300 meals each for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
2021:
Expanded year-round support, especially for Veterans transitioning out of homelessness, and assisted 85 families during the Winter/Christmas Program.
2022
Supported 93 families, 18 elders from a crisis center, 87+ Veterans, and sent 1,050 care packages to deployed personnel at Gowen Field during the Christmas/Winter season, and helped homeless Veterans and families in crisis, throughout the year.
2023:
Assisted 132 families, provided stockings for all VA home residents, supported 131 VA employees, sponsored 4 VA Home holiday parties, and delivered 265 meal boxes to military families, in addition to helping numerous veterans throughout the year.
As a 100% volunteer-run organization, OGH relies on the generosity and goodwill of the people of Treasure Valley and Idaho. Whether through donations, volunteering, or supporting our fundraisers, every contribution helps us achieve and expand our goals. We believe that our efforts truly make a significant difference in the lives of Veterans and their families, ultimately resulting in stronger communities.
As a 100% volunteer-run organization, OGH relies on the generosity and goodwill of the people of Treasure Valley and Idaho. Whether through donations, volunteering, or supporting our fundraisers, every contribution helps us achieve and expand our goals. We believe that our efforts truly make a significant difference in the lives of Veterans and their families, ultimately resulting in stronger communities.