Tom Lopes, Ocean Pines, Md., former NCAA Division I men’s college basketball official and currently the executive director of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials (IAABO), recipient of  the 2019 Gold Whistle Award, presented by the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) will share his experience as a basketball referee.

Operation We Care was founded in 2007 by Jeff and Diana Merritt. Jeff and Diana own Minuteman Press in Salisbury, MD and are assisted by many volunteers. 

OWC packs over 2,000 care packages a year which are sent to deployed troops. OWC strives to support both active duty and veteran military through care packages, events, and a variety of assistance outlets. OWC also makes donations to local law enforcement and Fire departments in addition to many support and appreciation causes. 

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Operation We Care is headquarted in Salisbury, MD. While the troops that recieve care packages are from all over the United States, typically at least one person in the unit has some tie to the Delmarva region. Our law enforcement and Fire Department outreach efforts currently primarily serve Wicomico, Worcester, Dorchester, Somerset, and Sussex counties.