Operation Homefront
Valero Texas Open
By: Sara Moores

On Wednesday of the Valero Texas Open, the PGA TOUR Wives Association joined with the Valero Texas Open and the Valero Foundation to honor the women supported by Operation Homefront. Operation Homefront is an agency that provides emergency assistance to United States troops, to the families they leave behind and to wounded warriors when they return.

The honored guests were picked up from Operation Homefront in limousines, many experiencing their very first ride. From there, they were whisked to Silo's Elevated Cuisine and Bar, where they were greeted by the PGA TOUR Wives Association members and given gift bags filled with goodies meant to pamper. A financial seminar was presented by Jeff O'Steen from Charles Schwab followed by lunch. Amy Wilson, President of the PGA TOUR Wives Association, then introduced Connie Henline, who told the PTWA members her story and how Operation Homefront helped her when she needed assistance.

Henline told them about the 32 surgeries her husband, Bobby, had in the last 18 months. Serving in the US Army in Iraq, Bobby's Humvee exploded, killing three others on board and leaving Bobby severely burned and bandaged. She explained how she's had to assume the household duties that her husband no longer can, as well as the primary care of her three children while her husband has undergone treatment. This, she says, is where Operation Homefront came to her aid. When they learned she was moving, they sent 50 volunteers who moved her. "They later built a screened porch so that my husband, who can't be outside because of his burns, could watch our kids play and watch me attempt to mow the lawn. They help bring normalcy back to my life," Henline said.

After Connie's moving story, Amy asked Jennifer Cernoch, Director of Operation Homefront, to join her and Connie for special presentations. First, checks from Valero Texas Open, Valero Foundation and the PGA TOUR Wives Association, totaling $24,000 were presented to Cernoch for Operation Homefront.

Finally, to everyone's surprise, doors to an adjacent room were thrown open and gifts, products and gifts cards, totaling more than $33,900, were unveiled. The products included food, supplies, Nerf Balls, and other items that could be boxed up and sent in care packages to deployed troops. It also included toys, books, bath products, four plasma televisions, DVDs and other items that Operation Homefront can use for the military wives whose husbands are wounded.

For our members, this was a day few will likely ever forget. It was an opportunity to see our donations truly make an impact on the lives of others. So many of these women responded, with tears in their eyes, that these gifts will make a huge impact on their day-to-day lives and how, when others join Operation Homefront, it will make the difference between "existing" and "living".

PTWA would like to thank the many companies that supported us in this project. We could not touch so many without these incredible partners.

The generous membership of the PGA TOUR Wives Association