·       OPK originated when Jacob, John and Joe Koffel's dad was deployed to Iraq for his second combat tour in September 2004. He was the Operations Officer with Marine Air Group-16 (MAG-16) based at MCAS Miramar. This is the third year of OPK.

·       With the help of Jacob's best friend, Sam Abbott, the boys began selling popcorn as care packages for the US troops.

·       The congregation of First Congregational Church in Ramona, CA helped launch the effort when the boys sold more than 10 cases of popcorn in about 40 minutes, each with a personal note attached!

·       Ultimately, more than 2,000 individual cans and boxes of popcorn and notes have been sent over during Operation Popcorn Kernel, reaching more than 14 different Marine units serving in western Iraq.

·       When the popcorn is received by Jeff, he approaches different units and asks for former scouts to help distribute the popcorn. Without fail, he has volunteers eager to reconnect with the scouting program. I’m sure many like being reminded of a time when camping was for fun, and not part of a hazardous duty! Working with helicopter squadrons, he also coordinates delivery of popcorn and messages to troops involved in daily patrolling in the Iraqi community or on the front lines.

·       Jeff returned safely home from Operation Iraqi Freedom II in March of 2005, and is now currently serving his third tour as the Commanding Officer of Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron-3. He left in January 2006 and will return in late February 2007.

·       Proceeds from popcorn sales benefit the San Diego-Imperial Council of Boy Scouts of America as well as the individual Cub and Boy Scouts who use the funds for scouting related costs (camp fees, equipment purchases, activities, etc).

·       Last fall, with US troops still at work in Iraq, the boys, joined by their youngest brother, Joe, then a first grader and brand new Tiger scout, decided to continue their efforts to send personal messages with Boy Scout popcorn. Sam's younger brother, Thomas, has also joined the operation. He is now a second year Webelos scout.

·       The boys have learned volumes about public speaking, marketing, sales strategies, math, accounting, inventory control, manners, and time management.

·       They sell every Thursday and Friday in front of the Ramona Stater Brother’s Market for 2 hours. Additional sales presentations are made at the Ramona Kiwanis, the VFW, the Rotary Club and other groups interested in getting involved.

·       Purchases may be made by the individual can or by the case, $108 buys a case of 12 cans (download order form using appropriate link to the left). Businesses are encouraged to sponsor case(s) with notes from their employees or customers.

·       OPK orders not only benefit the US Troops but also support Boy and Cub Scouting programs throughout San Diego and Imperial counties.

·       The Roger Hedgecock Show has been hugely supportive of this project from the very beginning, as has the Ramona Stater Brother’s Market, FOX news, the Ramona Sentinel, and the NC Times.

We appreciate the opportunity to connect caring citizens with soldiers in Iraq. Since many are serving their second or third tour, it’s important that they know their sacrifice, and their family’s sacrifice is recognized and appreciated. The messages bring tears to the eyes, just because they’re clearly heartfelt, and are simply wonderful acknowledgements of the difficulties and hardships that our troops must face.

We at OPK recognize that "freedom is not free".  We encourage all visitors to our site to learn more about this important concept by visiting another valuable resource in supporting our troops.  The site is www.anysoldier.com.