New Nonprofit Helps Soldiers Reconnect With Families
July 18, 2011
Operation R&R provides complementary vacations to military families
CHARLESTON, SC – July 18, 2011 – Long and frequent deployments place great strain on families left at home. Returning home can also be challenging after living apart for extending periods of time under stressful circumstances. Operation R&R Charleston is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide opportunities for service men and women returning from deployment to reconnect and strengthen family relationships through a complementary vacation in the Charleston area.
Once accepted into the program, military participants are awarded a four to seven day stay in donated vacation homes in the Charleston area during the offseason. In addition, local businesses such as restaurants, service-related companies, and grocery stores offer deep discounts to vacationing families.
“We have found that giving families an opportunity to spend time together away from the normal stresses of everyday life helps them in the reintegration process,” stated CEO Susan Johnson, Ph.D (pictured left). “What is unique about this program is that its success depends on involvement and support of the entire community. It is Charleston’s way to say thanks to the military families for their service and sacrifice.”
Operation R&R Charleston is still seeking business partners, property owners, volunteers and sponsors with an anticipated launch date of September 2011. Go online to www.operationrandrcharleston.org to see how to get involved.
