Operation Hat Trick Surpasses $3 Million in Lifetime Funding for Wounded and Recovering Service Members and Veterans; nearly $2 Million of Total Raised to Date has been Distributed During the Pandemic
HAMPTON, N.H.
|
June 30, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time
Operation Hat Trick (OHT), an innovative social impact venture supporting the recovery of wounded American service members and veterans, has surpassed $3 million in lifetime funding. Nearly $2 million of the total has been raised and distributed during the pandemic years.
In fiscal year 2022 (July 1, 2021-June 30, 2022) OHT provided more than $1 million in funding, the first time it has reached this milestone in one fiscal year period.
“During a time in our country when there have been so many serious challenges, OHT has been able to fill more critical gaps in care than ever that change lives for the better. The funding we’ve provided is improving mental health, eradicating homelessness, reducing suicide rates, restoring independence, providing greater mobility and treating substance abuse. We are thankful to all who helped make this possible,” said Dot Sheehan, Founder and President of Operation Hat Trick.
OHT is differentiated from veteran-focused nonprofit organizations by its innovative operating model. Rather than relying on donations to raise money, OHT sells co-branded apparel and merchandise in conjunction with over 500 American colleges and universities, as well as many NHL, NBA, MLB and MiLB teams. More than 90% of all money raised is derived from selling co-branded products online and via retail. OHT receives a royalty from the sale of this merchandise which fuels its funding to veterans.
OHT branded merchandise is available via online retailers such as Fanatics, Amazon and national retailers including Dick’s Sporting Goods, Target, Barnes & Noble, Academy Sports & Outdoors, Kohl’s, Lids, Scheels and more. Its 25+ licensed partners include companies in the headwear, apparel, tailgate games, drinkware, jewelry, gifts, blankets, and pillows categories.
OHT is also distinguished by a unique “pass through” operational model where funding is distributed to carefully curated veterans-focused organizations compatible with OHT’s mission. To date, OHT has distributed funding to nearly 100 veterans organizations across 38 states that are well run, smaller and typically under-funded.
Consumer demand has continued to increase tremendously thanks to OHT’s one-of-a-kind partnership with Fanatics and Colosseum Athletics.
“Fanatics is thrilled to play a part in Operation Hat Trick’s mission of generating awareness and support for the recovery of wounded service members and veterans. We offer OHT co-branded apparel for more than 125 universities and actively promote those products and, subsequently, OHT’s mission to millions of fans that visit our network of e-commerce sites and on-campus retail operations around the country,” said Mike Carlton, Fanatics Director of Partner Development.
“Colosseum is honored to partner with Operation Hat Trick in apparel and headwear,” said John Pfeifer, Executive Vice President at Colosseum. “This continues to be a strong partnership, allowing us to bring a unique design and story to market with our retail partners, schools, and OHT to offer a purchase with a purpose. Helping our Veterans and their families, who have given up so much to protect us and our freedom - we are honored to help support them.”
“It is an absolute PRIVILEGE to be partnered with Operation Hat Trick,” said Kim Holtz, President of Great American Products. “We are a veteran owned company that employs former active service men and women. We fully realize all of their commitments and sacrifices, and we are HONORED to be able to give back through this wonderful organization.”
"Operation Hat Trick’s grant supported an ambitious statewide educational tour in Montana for our veteran suicide prevention program. We hosted eight trainings in four cities, and trained 350+ veterans and service members,” says Casey Woods, Executive Director, Overwatch Project/FORGE. “In just the last six weeks, we have already heard directly from four people who used what they learned at our events to save a veteran’s life. These events would not have been possible without Operation Hat Trick’s donation. Their motto is: ‘They promised to defend. We promise to support.’ -- and they live up to that motto every day. We’re deeply grateful for their support in our shared mission of saving veteran lives,” said Woods.
Operation Hat Trick is recognized by GuideStar as a Platinum seal of transparency organization for its responsible stewardship (https:/learn.guidestar.org/platinum). The rating puts OHT in the top 0.1% of charities nationally in terms of transparency. Dedicated to Nate Hardy and Mike Koch, two Navy SEALs who were killed in Iraq in 2008 and are buried side by side at Arlington National Cemetery, OHT never forgets their sacrifice.
Support and learn more about Operation Hat Trick by visiting: operationhattrick.org.
Facebook - facebook.com/OperationHatTrick
Twitter - @SupportOHT
LinkedIn – Operation Hat Trick
Instagram – operationhattrick OHT online stores: operationhattrick.org/support-oht/shop-online.php
Contact Details
Operation Hat Trick
Dot Sheehan
+1 603-674-2530
Company Website
