Putting Service at the Heart of Our Business: Embracing Our First Core Value

At Official Patriot Gear (OPG), service is more than a core value—it’s who we are. We dedicate our time, energy, and resources to making the word “Patriot” synonymous with “This person is here to help.” It drives everything we do, and we are honored to have lived out this value in Western North Carolina (WNC) this year. Thanks to your incredible support, we were able to make a real difference in the lives of those impacted by Hurricane Helene. Every dollar raised, every resource allocated, and every moment spent was an opportunity to reflect the heart of this community: a group of Patriots united by the mission to serve. Celebrating the Good We've Done Together This Thanksgiving, we’re taking a moment to reflect—not just on what we’ve accomplished, but on the people and purpose behind it all. Here’s how your support allowed us to extend help and hope: Rebuilding Communities. From providing $45,000 to Aerial Recovery Group for critical rescue equipment and $20,000 to Save Our Allies for cold-weather tents, to helping rebuild businesses like Penland & Sons and the O.C. Whitson General Store, your generosity directly fueled recovery efforts in WNC.

At Official Patriot Gear (OPG), our mission is rooted in the belief that service is more than a core value—it’s a way of life. It’s not just about the customer experience; it’s about creating a community where the word “Patriot” becomes synonymous with “This person is here to help.” The apparel we sell is more than just clothing; it’s a symbol of this commitment—a badge that represents the impact we aim to make together.

When we say service is central to everything we do, we mean it. This dedication extends far beyond delivering exceptional products and experiences to our customers. It drives how we engage with our community and how we rally together to make a difference in the lives of others. Service isn’t confined to our day-to-day business—it’s about stepping up when it matters most.

This year, that commitment was exemplified in Western North Carolina (WNC), where your support empowered us to assist families and businesses affected by Hurricane Helene. Together, we turned devastation into hope, proving that this movement is about much more than apparel; it’s about showing up and making a tangible impact.

At OPG, service begins with our team and extends to our customers, partners, and the communities we touch. It’s a mindset we cultivate daily—whether we’re creating meaningful customer experiences or mobilizing resources to help those in need. This value fosters a culture where every team member and supporter is inspired to live out the mission of OPG: to serve others selflessly.

Our dedication to service has allowed us to:

• Provide Immediate Relief: Supporting first responders, volunteers, and displaced families through initiatives like rebuilding businesses, supplying shelters, and providing essential resources.
• Restore Hope: Helping families like the Whitsons and Wolffs regain stability and rebuild after losing everything, while ensuring their stories remind us all of what true community looks like.
• Empower Change: Whether it’s funding rescue operations or stepping in to help small businesses get back on their feet, we aim to leave every place and person better than we found them.

When you wear OPG, you’re not just representing a brand—you’re standing for the values this community upholds. Our apparel is a symbol of service, unity, and resilience. It represents the countless acts of compassion and patriotism that define this movement. Every purchase supports this mission, allowing us to continue making a difference together.

This Thanksgiving, we’re reflecting on what truly matters: the incredible impact we’ve made as a community. From helping WNC recover to fostering a culture of giving, this movement is proof that being a Patriot means more than loving your country—it means loving and serving its people.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Your support inspires us every day to keep building a legacy of service that extends far beyond what we do. Together, we’re not just a brand; we’re a community changing lives and making the world a better place.

At Official Patriot Gear (OPG), service is the cornerstone of everything we do, and this year, we were honored to embody that value by stepping up for the people of Western North Carolina (WNC) in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Thanks to the incredible support of our community, we raised over $100,000 and allocated every dollar to bring relief and hope to those impacted by the storm. This mission wasn’t just about providing aid; it was about showing what it means to serve others with compassion and purpose.

With $45,000 donated to Aerial Recovery Group, we equipped their team with Starlinks, I-Comm radios, and ATVs/UTVs, enabling critical rescue operations, supply deliveries, and infrastructure repairs in areas devastated by flooding. Another $20,000 went to Save Our Allies to provide cold-weather tents for displaced families and a catered dinner for first responders and volunteers. We also contributed $15,000 to help rebuild the O.C. Whitson General Store in Green Mountain, NC, and an additional $20,000 to restore Sheena’s Family Restaurant in Barnardsville, NC—two beloved local businesses vital to their communities.

Beyond rebuilding businesses, we prioritized individual families and farmers who needed immediate assistance. From donating $5,000 to a dairy farmer in Weaverville to restore his operations, to supporting Kalyn Cogdill with $5,000 to cover rent while she served her community selflessly, every action was guided by the principle of meeting people where they needed help most. We also ensured local families had essential groceries, meals, and even a brand-new camper for a family of six who lost everything. In total, these efforts reflect OPG’s unwavering commitment to making service not just a value, but a way of life.

None of this would have been possible without you. Your generosity and unwavering support embody what it truly means to be a Patriot: stepping up to serve others in their time of need. Because of you, we’ve been able to rebuild hope, restore businesses, and uplift families in Western North Carolina—and the impact of your philanthropy will be felt for years to come.

We also want to express our deepest gratitude to the OPG Ambassador Family . You are the heart and soul of this movement, championing our mission every day and amplifying the reach of our efforts. Your passion, dedication, and belief in what this brand stands for have been instrumental in making these acts of service possible. You’re not just ambassadors of the OPG brand—you’re ambassadors of compassion, resilience, and patriotism.

At OPG, we believe that service is not just a value; it’s our purpose. With your continued support, we can carry this mission forward and remain a force for good in communities that need it most. We are humbled and inspired by the generosity of this incredible community, and we are excited to explore this core value further in our next blog post.

From all of us at OPG, thank you for being a part of this journey and for making it all possible. Together, we’re showing what it truly means to be Patriots.

From all of us at OPG, Happy Thanksgiving.

God bless you all, and God bless America. 🇺🇸