Operation Hat Trick (OHT) surpasses $5 million in lifetime giving for wounded and recovering service members and veterans

HAMPTON, N.H., May 9, 2024 – Operation Hat Trick (OHT), a social impact organization supporting the recovery of wounded American service members and veterans, has surpassed $5 million in lifetime giving.

“When OHT first began in 2007, the goal of reaching $1 million seemed impossible,” said OHT founder and CEO Dot Sheehan. “We were begging to get new partners and working hard to build a brand – and we were doing it all on a shoestring budget.”

After reaching the milestone 10 years later, OHT forged strategic partnerships with one of the nation’s largest online retailers – Fanatics. As revenues from royalties took off its giving pace quickened to $2 million in 2021, $3 million in 2022, then $4 million in 2023. One year later, OHT has topped the $5 million giving back mark.

“Thanks to universities, professional NHL and NBA leagues and teams, licensees, consumers, retailers/e-tailers and corporations, OHT has been able to help 128 nonprofits in 41 states to date and fill many critical gaps in care, including mental health, our #1 focus,” Sheehan continued. “

The impact has been enormous for the wounded and recovering service members and veterans who needed our help. Navy SEALs Nate Hardy and Mike Koch - to whom we have dedicated OHT - would be so proud to see how their brothers and sisters in service have benefitted from OHT's support,” Sheehan concluded.

Operation Hat Trick’s innovative operational business model is clearly differentiated from other veteran-focused nonprofits. OHT pioneered the first national philanthropic, co-branded, cause marketing retail apparel licensing program in America.

Instead of relying on donations, OHT raises money by selling distinctive headwear, apparel and other products/merchandise, receiving a royalty from every purchase. More than 500 American universities and colleges proudly display their logos with OHT’s. Many businesses, NHL, NBA and MiLB teams do the same and are active supporters.

Operation Hat Trick products are available via leading online retailers such as Fanatics and Amazon as well as national retailers including Cracker Barrel, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Academy Sports & Outdoors, Kohl’s, Lids, Scheels, Rally House and more.

One of the 128 social causes helped to date by OHT is CreatiVets, a nonprofit which introduces veterans to art and music as a way of healing their unseen wounds of war.

"Operation Hat Trick's generous support has had a profound impact on CreatiVets and the veterans we serve,” said Richard Casper, Co-Founder and Executive Director of CreatiVets. “Through their dedicated funding, we have been able to expand our programs, reach more wounded veterans, and provide them with life-changing opportunities for healing through the arts and music. Our partnership with OHT has enabled us to develop innovative initiatives and deliver impactful experiences that empower our veterans to find their voices, express their emotions, and reclaim their lives.”

Consumer demand for OHT co-branded products has steadily increased thanks to OHT’s one-of-a-kind strategic partnership with online retailer Fanatics and Colosseum Athletics.

“Fanatics is honored to continue its support of Operation Hat Trick’s mission of generating awareness and support for the recovery of wounded service members and veterans. We offer OHT co-branded apparel and hard goods for more than 130 universities and actively promote those products and, subsequently, OHT’s mission to millions of fans that visit our network of e-commerce sites and on-campus retail operations around the country,” said Mike Carlton, Fanatics Director of Partner Development.

“Colosseum is honored to partner with Operation Hat Trick in apparel and headwear,” said John Pfeifer, Executive Vice President at Colosseum. “This continues to be a strong partnership, allowing us to bring a unique design and story to market with our retail partners, schools, and OHT to offer a purchase with a purpose. Helping our Veterans and their families, who have given up so much to protect us and our freedom - we are honored to help support them.”

Operation Hat Trick (OHT) generates awareness, support and funding for the recovery of America’s wounded service members and veterans. The 501c3 has been recognized by GuideStar six years in-a-row as a Platinum seal of transparency organization for its responsible stewardship and is in the top 0.1% of charities nationally in transparency and operational excellence. (https://learn.guidestar.org/platinum).

Support and learn more about Operation Hat Trick by visiting: operationhattrick.org.

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