DEF and Operation Family Fund

Honoring Service and Sacrifice: Operation Family Fund at the Desert Empire Fair in Ridgecrest

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In the heart of the Indian Wells Valley, in the city of Ridgecrest, California, the annual Desert Empire Fair serves as more than just a celebration of agriculture, community, and western heritage. It also provides a meaningful platform for local nonprofits and advocacy groups to engage with the public, raise awareness, and honor our veterans and first responders. One such organization is Operation Family Fund (OFF), based right in Ridgecrest, which leverages the fair’s broad reach to bring its mission into sharp, communal focus.

Who is Operation Family Fund, and Why Their Presence Matters

Operation Family Fund is a volunteer-run, private nonprofit corporation headquartered in Ridgecrest, California. Founded after the events of 9/11, OFF is dedicated to assisting service members (military and civilian) who have been injured in the Global War on Terror, and the families of those impacted — offering financial grants and support for “transitioning to their new circumstances and achieving financial self-sufficiency.”

What makes OFF especially noteworthy is their grassroots model: they operate without paid staff — entirely volunteer-run, with private donations funding their work so that overhead remains minimal.

This local organization fittingly sets up at the Desert Empire Fair, bridging community celebration with more profound gratitude and remembrance. Their presence at the fair helps raise visibility, supports fundraising efforts, and deepens community connection to the veteran-and-first-responder mission.

Engagement at the Fair: More Than a Booth

At the fair, OFF’s involvement is more than simply setting up a table. Their presence offers:

  • A visible reminder of service and sacrifice: When attendees stroll past the OFF display, they’re reminded not only of fun and festivity but also of the cost of freedom and the ongoing needs of those who have served.
  • Direct interaction with the community: Fairgoers can talk to OFF team members, learn about the organization’s grant programs, ask how to apply or donate, and hear personal stories of recovery and resilience.
  • Recruiting local advocates: Being based in Ridgecrest, OFF’s local booth resonates with residents, veterans, supporters, and families who may not otherwise engage with veteran services beyond the region.
  • Fundraising through exposure: The fair draws thousands of visitors, providing exposure for OFF that helps attract donations, raise awareness, and potentially recruit volunteers or community partners.

The “Remember the Fallen” Component

One of the fair’s most solemn elements is the memorial service or memorial display honouring those who paid the ultimate price — military personnel and first responders. For example, a Facebook post from the Desert Empire Fairgrounds & Events Center mentions an opening event for the “National Remembering Our Fallen Memorial” at the Kerr McGee Community Center in Ridgecrest.

For OFF, aligning with this “Remember the Fallen” component deepens their mission: The organization honours major sacrifice, supports families of injured or fallen service members, and participates in memorialization within a community context. By participating in the fair during this memorial focus, OFF underscores the message that remembrance must go hand-in-hand with support and action.

Why This Matters Locally (and Nationally)

Local Impact

  • Community under one roof: Ridgecrest is home to a large military-connected population (adjacent to Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake), and prominently featuring OFF at the fair speaks directly to many local families.
  • Bridging civilian and military experiences: Many attendees may not have direct veteran ties, but through OFF’s presence, they can connect to broader themes of service, sacrifice, and how their local community responds.
  • Volunteer growth and grassroots energy: OFF’s volunteer-run nature aligns well with the established tradition of fair-standing volunteering — people are often more willing to connect when they see a table and a friendly face at a community event.

Broader Significance

  • Raising awareness of post-service challenges: Service members return with visible and invisible wounds, and OFF’s participation emphasizes that the fair isn’t just fun and games but also a platform for meaningful veteran support.
  • Reinforcing remembrance with action: Memorializing the fallen has real power when tied to organizations that support the living — families of the wounded or fallen still need help, and OFF helps provide it.
  • Model for other communities: A small-town organization like OFF, which leverages a regional fair, demonstrates how local nonprofits can make a significant impact through community events — a blueprint for other regions.

Highlights from OFF’s Mission and Metrics

  • OFF has raised more than $3 million for veterans and their families.
  • They’ve helped over 2,300 families nationwide with grants and assistance.
  • Their philosophy: minimal overhead, volunteer-operated, donations go directly to families.
  • Locally, they support partner organizations in Ridgecrest, such as the Ridgecrest Veterans Advisory Council (RVAC) and Therapeutic Horsemanship of Ridgecrest (THOR), to enhance veteran-wellness services.

Reflective Moment

Walking through the fairgrounds, one may stop at the OFF booth, take a flyer, shake hands, and smile at the festive energy. But next to that lighthearted moment lies a critical truth: freedom is defended, sacrifice is real, and the families of those who serve deserve recognition and support. OFF’s presence reminds us that we don’t celebrate in isolation — we remember in unity.

At the “Remember the Fallen” portion, where banners might flutter, names might be read aloud, and small ceremonies held, OFF adds the message: remembering is only part of the work. Supporting each other, in Ridgecrest, the community comes together to lift that call.

Call to Action

  • Visit OFF’s booth if you’re at the fair — ask how you can help, volunteer, or apply for support.
  • Donate or partner — even small contributions help ensure that injured and fallen service members’ families are not forgotten.
  • Share the story — telling friends and family about OFF and the memorial story raises broader awareness.
  • Reflect consciously — while enjoying the fair’s fun, take a moment at the memorial display to thank those who serve, and to consider how you might support those who’ve sacrificed.

Closing Thoughts

The Desert Empire Fair is more than livestock shows, carnival rides, and local vendors. With organizations like Operation Family Fund actively participating, it becomes a gathering of community gratitude, remembrance, and action. In Ridgecrest, amid the laughter and lights, there is a quiet commitment — to honour the fallen, serve the wounded, and stand with families whose lives have been forever changed.

When you walk away from the fairgrounds, carry that mixture of joy and solemnity with you. Appreciate the celebration, yes — but also the story behind the service. The space between festivity and remembrance lies at the heart of what makes a community strong.