Operation Showers of Appreciation is a 501(c)3, non-profit tax-exempt organization, whose mission is to honor our military families in a unique way by showering them with gifts for their newborn babies, providing support during difficult times, and letting them know the many sacrifices of both the families and service members are appreciated.
OSOA does this by hosting and co-hosting large scale baby showers in honor of our local military and their families. We are a volunteer and donation based organization. All proceeds are evenly dispersed at our Annual Baby Showers.
OSOA assists enlisted military families E1-E7 that are expecting new babies at our showers and offers assistance on the Command level to all other military families. Family Readiness Officers and Ombudsman are encouraged to apply for Command Assistance
Showers are held quarterly every Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. One annual shower is held at or near Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twenty-nine Palms specifically for families stationed within that area. We will be expanding our services to various bases across the country in 2011.
History
OSOA was established in 2006 by Kimberly and Josh Felshaw after being assisted by a local church in 2005. January 2005, the Felshaw's were invited to attend a baby shower held by the South Shores Church located in Monarch Beach California. At this shower, they were assisted with everything they would need for the arrival and care for their first child Allysa. Shortly after the shower, their daughter Allysa arrived. She was six weeks early and diagnosed with a terminal disease called Trisomy 13 and lived for three short weeks. Members of the South Shores Church assisted the Felshaw's by opening their hearts and hands to them in their time of need.
Their kindness and generosity inspired Kimberly and Josh to begin Operation Showers of Appreciation. OSOA assisted their 100th family in July 2008 and will be assisting their 200th family at their Annual Twenty-nine Palms shower in 2009.
In March of 2009 OSOA announced it's new partnership with Essential Baby Planner, San Diego County's first baby planning service. Carrie Furet, owner of Essential Baby Planner, has a family history of military service and a desire to help those near and dear to her heart.
Essential Baby Planner has pledged a portion of its proceeds to Operation Showers of Appreciation. And by joining forces, a new baby shower event has been added to the roster for San Diego. This shower will be geared towards helping out military in the southern portion of San Diego like Mira Mar and 32nd Street. As well as reaching out to our military families in the Reserves within Southern California.
