FULL ANNUAL REPORT
THE SILVER STAR FAMILIES OF AMERICA
SSFOA has no paid positions, at time of report, members have volunteered over 37,740 hours
Administrative costs: 2.40 percent
MISSION STATEMENT
The Silver Star Families of America was organized to remember and honor the wounded, ill and dying service members of our Armed Forces by establishing a Service Flag dedicated just for this purpose. Our mission is to make sure that no wounded, ill or dying Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine is ever forgotten for the blood sacrifice and/or illnesses incurred while serving our Nation during combat. Our goal is to provide a Banner or Flag to every wounded, ill or dying Soldier or their families.
EXECUTIVE STATEMENT
The Silver Star Families of America began in early 2005 as the Purple Hearts with 6 members. Since that time it has evolved into an organization of over 1000 members from all across the United States.
SSFOA is a Missouri incorporated non profit public charity, TAX ID # 20-3940415
SSFOA has given over 1000 Silver Star Banners to our wounded, ill and dying service members, with Silver Star Flags hanging at many military medical facilities, V.A. hospitals and homes, Iraq, Germany, other facilities that assist our wounded and ill, American Legion Posts, Purple Hearts, VFWs, and individuals' homes.
The Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs and many U.S. Senators are working to get our Silver Star Flag certified as an “Official” Service Flag. SSFOA is seeing the Silver Star Flag and Banner given signature endorsement state by state by Governors and Dept. of Veterans Affairs. May 1st been declared "Silver Star Banner Day" for the wounded, ill and dying by 44 states and numerous cities.
SSFOA distributed hundreds of books, CDs, phone cards, get well cards, playing cards and other items to our wounded or to various Military or Veterans Hospitals. As members of VAVS, SSFOA sends care packages to VAs in all 50 states during the Christmas Seasons and supports various VAs throughout the year.
Troop organizations have joined to work with us and assist our wounded, ill and dying including, Soldiers Angels, GiveAnHour, Thank You Foundation and many more. SSFOA has added several programs such as, Hear4You, PTSD resources, Food Cards, Games for Wounded, Letter Writing Team, and programs geared to Christmas for the Wounded.
All in all we have come along way, thanks to the dedication and patriotism of our volunteers and officers.
Janie Orman
President
The Silver Star Families of America
Board Roster 2008
President
Janie Orman
Patricia Benefield
Secretary
Diana Creed-Newton
Treasurer
Executive VA Director and Tribal Liaison
Kathy Landess
Executive State Coordinator
Georgeine Marbeiter
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The Silver Star Families of America
Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2008
UNAUDITED
Assets 2008
Cash $25,443.00
Liabilities per Program
Silver Star Service Banner Program $13,959.00
Homeless Program $2,979.00
Christmas Program-Care Packages-letters-etc $3,555.00
Letter Writing Team/Care packages
The Silver Star Families works year round to send cards, letters and comfort items to hospitalized veterans and troops overseas. We also try to support other non profits when they have annual events, such as the National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans and other programs for cards, letters and comfort items.
(Grants $ -0-) …………………………………………………….$ 3,348.00
Annual Thank you event/May1st Silver Star Service Banner Day (SSBD)
Every year the day of May 1st is set aside to honor and remember all combat wounded and ill troops and veterans, nationwide and worldwide (US territory or US armed forces bases/areas) FYR 2008, 46 States and almost 200 cities nationwide issued proclamations to recognize and honor our wounded and ill troops and veterans, from all wars.
(Grants $ -0-)……………………………………………………..$ 2,374.00
Total $26.215.00
Assets of Deficits for year <$772.00>
Cash on Hand $12,696.00
Professional fees. Accounting firm 2006 Record Compilations………$850.00
Printing, pubs, postage and shipping (Brochures & all USPS)……..$3919.00
(Total lines 13, 15)………$4769.00
Mailing supplies, labels, etc for banners/flags/care packages, etc……………… $713.00
Homeless Veterans Canteen Booklets (1.00 & 5.00 bk’s ea, VA-2 purchases) $1000.00
Service Flags/Banners…………………………………………………………. $11180.00
Care Packages…………………………………………………………………....$2166.00
Coins/Patches…………………………………………………………………… $1004.00
Cookbooks……………………………………………………………………… $1228.00
Fundraising Expenses……………………………………………………………..$535.00
Donations to other organizations from SSFOA…………………………………...$256.00
Website Fees/Software/Hardware expenses………………………………………$147.00
Telecomm/Internet ISP, phones cell/landline expenses…………………………$2086.00
Office Equipment……………………………………………………………… .$300.00
Annual Recognition Award (2009 Honoree Gen David Petraeus Plaque 12/2008) $79.00
State Government Filing Fees for fundraising (varied states annual report fees)...$125.00
Director & Officers Insurance (Annual premium)………………………………..$627.00
…………………………………………………………………………………$26,215.00
2008 EXPECTATIONS
As members of VAVS, SSFOA will continue to support VA hospitals in every state and attend meetings as a voice of our wounded, ill and dying Veterans.
SSFOA anticipates exceeding the over-thousand count of Banners that were distributed in 2007. The need for financial support and efforts to acquire funds and grants will be increased and the objective to honor all Veterans wounded, ill or in Hospice care as a result of service in a war zone from all wars will carry on.
SSFOA will continue its mission to see the Silver Star Flag and Banner recognized at the Congressional level. In the meantime SSFOA has embarked on a plan to see the fifty States declare the Silver Star Flag and Banner for the wounded, ill and dying as the Official Flag and Banner in their state along with Missouri, Connecticut and Indiana that have signed proclamations already at this time.
SSFOA is manned by volunteers with no paid employees and will strive to keeps its administrative costs to 2.40 percent as in previous years. SSFOA does not hold conventions and does not pay travel costs.
SSFOA will continue efforts to assist the wounded, ill and dying service memebrs with various programs in addition to presenting Silver Star Banners. Programs include: Hear4You, Food Cards, Games for Wounded, and our Writing Team.
2008 BUDGET PROPOSAL
INCOME AND EXPENSES
Based on last year’s expenditures and the predicted growth of our Silver Star Banner Program, we expect to need an income of approximately $50,000.
1. Flags and Banners $40,000
2. Game Program $2,000
3. Other Programs $2,000
4. Insurance $1,000
5. Audits $1,000
6. Postage, etc $4,000
I am committed to holding down all administrative cost to previous year’s levels. To maintain our prestige as one of the most efficient veteran’s organizations admin costs will not exceed 5%.
Fundraising expenses will also be kept to an absolute minimum. We have not and will not use marketing firms to increase our income but raise our fundraising costs to an unacceptable level.
We will continue to be an all volunteer organization with NO paid employees. We will maintain sound fiscal policy according to Generally Accepted Accounting Procedures.
We will continue to have a yearly audit, rotating our accounting firm every 5 years while augmenting our fiscal soundness using the audit committee’s finding and recommendations.
The above are estimates and represent my best judgment in forecasting next year’s income and expense needs. Restricted revenue for programs etc resides with the Chief Financial Officer.
Janie Orman
President
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2007 Expectations
The SSFOA embarked on an ambitious plan to have all 50 states declare May 1st Silver Star Banner Day for the wounded, ill and dying service members.
This effort was highly successful with 44 states, the District of Columbia and 26 cities across the Nation signing on.
This project, along with articles appearing in several national publications has increased public awareness of the SSFOA and therefore increased demand for our Banners and Certificates.
We project delivering more than 1000 Banners this year alone.
Financial needs will be multiplied by demand.
We are proud that our 990 for 2006 shows our administrative costs at 2.40 percent of our budget and we are working to lower that figure.
We have no paid employee’s or board members and we do not hold conventions or pay travel costs.
We plan to further expand into all 50 states and to continue to provide assistance to wounded, ill and dying service members when possible.
2006 EXPECTATIONS
We are pursuing various avenues of fund raising, including grants and donations. As of now the number of wounded, ill and dying from the War on Terror has exceeded 16,000. And since we recognize other injuries and illnesses this number is greatly increased. We also honor requests for Banners from the wounded, ill or dying of passed wars which increases our commitment many fold.
The SSFOA will continue and actually have increased our distribution of in-kind donations to various military medical centers and V.A. hospitals.
In the next year we also look forward to starting new chapters.
As our organization grows so will our financial needs. Since our organization has no overhead, all donations are used toward supporting and recognizing our wounded with our major concern being the funding for purchasing Banners and Flags.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
The SSFOA continues to operate solely on donations from its members and the general public.
As of now all the Flags and Banners have been purchased by member and public donations.
In-kind donations such as books, phone cards, CDs, etc have come from members and the general public.
While our general revenues balance with our expenditures, we have a waiting list of wounded waiting for Banners.
This illustrates the need for outside resources from grants and donations from companies and major organizations. As of now we have no corporate sponsors.
As of 12/31/05 we had funds in the amount of $701, where $500 was held for the IRS filing fee for our 501(c)(3) tax exempt status application filing.
2006
Board Roster
President
Steve Newton
Executive Vice President
Lynn Price
Vice President
Janie Orman
Secretary
Cheryl Egan
Treasurer
Diana Creed-Newton
Public Affairs
Carrie Tucker
Executive State Coordinator
Georgeine Marbeiter
Executive VA Director
Ginger Crane
Historian
Jerry Housley
2006 PROPOSED BUDGET
As you can see from our good faith estimate to ensure we are able to provide the Silver Star Banners/Flags are available for our wounded, ill and dying service memebrs and those who wish to fly the Silver Star Flag, we are in great need for funds to continue with our mission and purpose.
FINANCIAL CONTROLS
To ensure that all funds and in-kind donations are properly recorded, documented, and accounted for, Internal Financial Controls have been established between our co-Treasurers to:
1. Safeguard the organization’s assets.
2. Produce accurate financial data.
3. Contribute to efficient operations
4. Promote compliance with board policy, grant & other restrictions.
SILVER STAR FLAG ®
SILVER STAR BANNER TM
THE NAME "SILVER STAR SERVICE BANNER" IS TM
Copyright 2005-2010
All Rights Reserved
Disclaimer:
The Silver Star Banner and Flag is in no way connected to the Silver Star Medal
The Silver Star Families of America is a non-partisan, not-for-profit charitable organization committed to supporting the United States Wounded Military Members and Veterans from all wars, past and present, and honoring their sacrifice with Silver Star Banners.Content within this web site is the sole property of The Silver Star Families of America"All photos and letters sent to the SSFOA become the property of the organization to be used in any way we deem appropriate." SSFOA reserves the right to conduct the day to day business of the organization as they deem appropriate. State Coordinators and Reps will be chosen at the discretion of SSFOA National Headquarters. SSFOA is an all volunteer 501(c)(3) tax exempt nonprofit public charity organization. See your tax advisor.Questions/Comments Pertaining To This Web site CONTACT US
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