Operation CHAMPS Calls for Unity as Nonprofit Closes
Pro Bono Babysitting and Educational Programs for Children of Military Families End
BETHESDA, MD, December 10, 2014 – Operation CHAMPS, which provides programs including free babysitting services to families of Wounded Warriors and other military and veteran families, has decided to shut down. Following is a statement from CEO Jennifer Fink:
After weeks of deliberation and conversations with supporters who share our commitment to champion the needs of military-connected children, we have decided that it is time to conclude the Operation CHAMPS project. We have reached this decision reluctantly, following weeks of escalated divisive attacks from a group of adult children of military Servicemembers, which began as a difference of opinion regarding terminology.
The criticism arose from Operation CHAMPS referring to children of military families as “CHAMPS” rather than “BRATS.” Whether today’s military kids are referred to – by themselves, their parents, or others – as “BRATS,” “CHAMPS,” or any other term, we believe that today’s children of military Servicemembers make heroic sacrifices and deserve the undivided support of the American people.
Operation CHAMPS has since become the target of distorted and increasingly abusive accusations on Facebook, Twitter, and email. Volunteers of the organization have been threatened, and Operation CHAMPS’ supporters have been besieged with emails and posts requesting that they withdraw their endorsements and support. As a result, Operation CHAMPS has decided to close its doors.
In a few short years, Operation CHAMPS has brought together countless military-connected and civilian volunteers of all ages to support these kids. As a 100% volunteer-run, alliance-based organization, we have much to be proud of, including:
- Providing thousands of hours of volunteer service and free babysitting to families of Wounded Warriors, Servicemembers, and veterans;
- Delivering morale-building, uplifting educational programming through live performances to thousands of elementary school-aged children in the United States and abroad; and,
- Distributing copies of The Little CHAMPS book to children throughout the United States and abroad at no cost to their families.
We hope that in the absence of Operation CHAMPS, the military-connected community can refocus on the shared goal of channeling our nation’s support of the men and women in uniform into tangible help for their families. We challenge the adult Brats who have put so much energy casting aspersions on Operation CHAMPS and its supporters to now redirect their attention and resources to constructively serve the young people they believe only they can represent.
Finally, we want to thank the many individuals, organizations, and corporations who joined us in this effort.
We will always remember your support for the many, many deserving children and families whose lives we were able to enrich together.
V/r,
Jennifer Fink
Founder & CEO
Operation CHAMPS
(This same announcement went out via twitter to many contacts including several news sources, The USO, the Presidential press corps, FLOTUS and Michelle Obama...Aren't they one in the same?)
It's my understanding that hundreds, if not thousands of BRATS of all eras contacted the sponsors of Op Champs on their own requesting that they take a closer looks at what they were sponsoring. Could this be the above mentioned "THREATS?" or was there something more sinister going on?? One by one sponsors starting requesting that their logos not be used as an endorsement. MCEC *Military Child Education Coalition* was the first. They announced their decision in a facebook post titled "An Open Letter to the BRATS community" This open letter was met with 787 "likes" at last count and numerous comments thanking them for doing their homework and actually listening to the BRATS side of things.
An open letter to the BRATS community
We hear you. After careful consideration, we are withdrawing our support from The Little Champs program. We endorsed the book because we believe it celebrated the strength of our children and encouraged growth after more than a decade of war. In 2011, we made a one-time purchase of 500 books, the balance of which will be removed from inventory and discarded at the end of the year. These books were never used as curriculum or training resources in any of our initiatives. MCEC never contributed to or sponsored the Little Champs tours.
Teachers, Veterans, grown-up military kids, military spouses, parents of service members, and caring civilians make up the staff at MCEC. While we may not use the term “brat” in our literature, we understand and respect the importance of the name to those who grew up in a military family and the traditional pride associated with this term of endearment –many of our staff share that rich experience.
We hear you. After careful consideration, we are withdrawing our support from The Little Champs program. We endorsed the book because we believe it celebrated the strength of our children and encouraged growth after more than a decade of war. In 2011, we made a one-time purchase of 500 books, the balance of which will be removed from inventory and discarded at the end of the year. These books were never used as curriculum or training resources in any of our initiatives. MCEC never contributed to or sponsored the Little Champs tours.
Teachers, Veterans, grown-up military kids, military spouses, parents of service members, and caring civilians make up the staff at MCEC. While we may not use the term “brat” in our literature, we understand and respect the importance of the name to those who grew up in a military family and the traditional pride associated with this term of endearment –many of our staff share that rich experience.
This is an important dialog among people who care deeply about military families.
*Further proof of the non name changing claims being called into question, Op champs ignored and then finally denied those allegations, AND then changed their webpage:*
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