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Nonprofit organization receives gift
By Heather M. Smith, Staff writer
A little over a year ago, Sgt. Patrick Sowers was a new father, the operator of a nonprofit organization and a former Army sergeant looking to further help American soldiers.
In March 2008, Sowers expanded “Operation Once In A Lifetime,” his non-profit organization created to make the dreams of U.S. soldiers come true. Right after his wife had their son, he took out a personal loan to open the Plano resale store. All proceeds from sales go to help soldiers and soldiers can walk out with anything they want- for free.
“This place gives the general public a place to go and donate items for a good cause,” Sowers said. “It’s nice to be able to donate something and you know who it will benefit.”
“Some soldiers coming back from serving oversees are single and they’ve put all their personal belongings in storage. Most of them don’t have access to it for a few weeks,” Sowers said. “So these soldiers come back with no linens on their beds and no home furnishings. We collected $90,000 in linens in three months. There are 90,000 soldiers living in Fort Hood so everything helps.”
On Monday, Sowers received some much needed help. David Arbuckle, vice president of external affairs for AT&T, presented Sowers with papers to sign. As Sowers signed, he looked down and realized what he was receiving. AT&T donated a cargo van for Sowers to use on his trips to Fort Hood.
“This will really help. My truck can only carry so much,” Sowers said. “It’s hard being in the military, you’re always going, going, going. It’s nice to get a break. We take 50 percent of items donated to us and give them to soldiers.”
On the same day, Rep. Sam Johnson came to the Resale Center. Sowers showed Johnson the store and his homemade memorial to Sowers’ fallen friends.
“Isn’t America great,” Johnson said. “Thank you so much for doing what you’re doing.”
Another guest to the store was Lt. Col. Thomas Edwards. He joined the military 18 years ago.
“Anytime people can do something for soldiers, it’s nice,” Edwards said. “I was in the Pentagon when the plane hit in 2001, so the war is very personal to me. I lost my best friend that day. I think it’s a dangerous world out there, especially when people don’t like you or what you’re doing.”
Sowers joined the Army in 1998. He spent four years on active duty and another four in the reserves. Now he works as the manager of the maintenance department at a Lexus dealership.
“One reason why I started this was I went from making $30,000 a year as an E5 sergeant to working in the auto industry where I make a lot more,” Sowers said. “In the back of my mind I didn't think it's really fair that I worked three times harder and put more on the line being in the military, but now I work half as hard and make three times more money.”
Sowers’ Resale Center took in $5,000 in donations in December. It’s also collected 800 sets of linens, toiletries and pillows for soldiers. In addition, Sowers’ work has inspired others. Plano resident, Walker Mullinix, was looking for something to do for his final Eagle Scout project. He said his mom saw a story about Sowers and told him about it.
“I decided to help with the project,” Mullinix said. “I gathered 810 sets of linens, toothpaste, tooth brushes and razors to help the soldiers.”
However, Sowers’ still plans to expand his non-profit. He said his first Christmas wish was for a van. Now his second Christmas wish is to have a bigger store and to own his own building.
“Right now we pay $3,000 a month on rent, that’s $36,000 a year that could go to helping soldiers,” Sowers said. “I just really feel like this organization is the way for me to give back.”
In addition to providing necessity items to soldiers, Sowers’ also works with his sponsors to give soldiers experiences that they wouldn’t normally be able to afford. Sowers’ works with the Dallas Stars, Mavericks and the Texas Rangers to make soldiers’ dreams come true.
SFC Ronald Barta was one soldier who Sowers helped. Sowers said Barta, whose nephew had been diagnosed with cancer, had just flown himself and his family of five home to Texas to see his nephew. At the time he wanted to spend every moment with him, but the family had already taken a huge financial blow just to get home. Sowers made it possible for Barta and his nephew to attend a Dallas Stars game. The two, along with a group of soldiers met the team and received autographs.
“What a blessing. In one of the darkest times of my life I had Operation Once in a Lifetime walking me through when I was not sure I could carry on,” Barta said.
The Resale Center in located at 2540 Ave. K, Ste. 200 in Plano. For information visit www.operationonceinalifetime.com.
Contact Heather Smith at HSmith@acnpapers.com.
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