The purpose of this site is to help OWVA carry out its charitable purposes.

OWVA is uniquely positioned to make an impact in our communities and veteran's lives in ways different from other veteran organizations. OWVA ‘s leadership has used, and will continue to use every opportunity to leverage to assist veterans and veteran organizations, as well as Active Service Members and their families in building a better future for all who have served in our country's military services.

As military family and veteran advocates, OWVA is involved in many efforts to support our clients and members. We frequently work directly with senior members of the Oregon National Guard, Reintegration Teams, Family Resource Groups, and family assistance personnel, as well as combining or efforts with other support agencies and organizations- all to make a real difference in the lives of those who serve us in the military.

Greg Warnock
Executive Director

Charitable Projects

OWVA is well known in Oregon for its very public support of our troops and vets. One of our most well known projects was the "Save Christmas Project," where we raised the funds to send 45 pallets of donated "comfort items" to Oregon Troops in Afghanistan in 2006.

We have partnered with radio and TV programs and personalities to help educate the public on military family problems in Oregon, and have raised nearly $1,000,000.00 for our charitable projects since 2002.

This month (May 2009), 3,200 Oregon Troops are being sent to Iraq, in the largest deployment of Oregon Troops since WWII. This 12-14 month deployment is particularly difficult since we are in a recession, with an unemployment rate of 12%. Our military families are truly suffering, not just from being separated with loved ones, but from financial hardships as well.

OWVA has established a fund to help our military families, and works directly with the Oregon National Guard leadership to sort out and assist families who need the most help. We frequently provide funds for funeral support, emergency health care, housing expenses, and transportation solutions.

During the past two months, OWVA received calls and requests for more than $30,000 in emergency funds, from organizations that help military families and veterans in Oregon, in preparation of the huge deployment to Iraq. We paid for house rents, so families wouldn't be evicted before the deployment. We provided resources for pediatric care for a deployed soldier's family, and financially intervened for a disabled vet who was hospitalized and couldn't pay his housing costs.

Legislation

Another important responsibility of OWVA is the development and advocacy of legislation that helps our military families and veterans. We are active lobbyists for issues that affect our clients and families. We also openly help elect officials who support our critical issues (bi-partisan assistance).

In 2007, OWVA wrote and saw passed legislation that gave incentives to health care providers who care for military families. We also passed laws giving up to $6,000.00 in tax deductions for every National Guard and Reservists, as well as for employees of the Oregon Youth Challenge Program.

This year, we just saw signed into law HB2303, which protects the federal rights of military families from predator creditors and collectors, which is just one bill of the 12 bills we wrote or helped write this session.

How can you help?

Charitable Donations

OWVA is a charitable, war veteran's membership association. Contributions to OWVA are generally tax deductible, in accordance with IRC 501(c)(19) rules. Please send your donation of any amount to:

OWVA
PO Box 8043
Salem, OR 973003

OR

Feel free to send a payment through our website's donation center. >>>Click Here

If you are interested in an alternative donation, by giving a tax creditable donation through the Oregon PAC Tax Credit Program, please check out this page for more information: >>>Click Here