Jeff Bates' music inspired members of his People On A Mission fan club to attend his concert at the county fair in Dunbar, Pennsylvania last year. It was that fateful concert that brought these fans together with Staff Sergeant Al Stenzel, Jr. (Al Jr.) who was also attending the show. Friendships formed and in December 2004 when the 27 men of the Army National Guard 1st Detachment, Company C, 1st Battalion, 110th Infantry in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania were called to action, Jeff Bates' fans formed Operation Circle of Love.
The mission of Operation Circle of Love is to provide support to these 27 members during their 18-month tour of duty. Bates' fans have been writing letters, creating poems, seeking companies to donate items, making key chains with the soldiers' names, collecting funds and sending goodie boxes.