10 Feb 2011

Operation Gratitude Enters Guidestar-KIMBIA Non-Profit Giveaway Contest

By Operation Graditude

Public Reviews Will Help Non-Profit Organization
Win $5,000 To Support Military Care Package Mission

 

Encino, CA--February 8, 2011:  Through candid reviews by the public, Operation Gratitude has the opportunity to win a $5,000 prize offered by GuideStar USA, Inc., the leading source of nonprofit information, and KIMBIA, a group that empowers nonprofits and other organizations to increase giving.

This generous gift of $5,000 will help Operation Gratitude support the assembly and postage costs ($15 per package) of individual care packages addressed to deployed troops and Wounded Warriors.

 

Anyone with firsthand knowledge about Operation Gratitude can write a review on GuideStar.  Operation Gratitude partners, donors, volunteers, sponsors,  package recipients and their families are urged to participate. The review will appear in Operation Gratitude's profile on both GuideStar.org  and GreatNonProfits.org  (GuideStar's partner that makes it possible to write and post reviews).

 

"We are incredibly fortunate to have such a passionate and committed support network across the nation," said Operation Gratitude founder Carolyn Blashek. "If every supporter would take just a few moments of their time to write a review, we will be a major contender for the GuideStar-KIMBIA Nonprofit Giveaway. Plus, these reviews will show that we are truly making an impact, working effectively toward our mission, and  greatly benefiting our heroes in harm's way.

 

The Giveaway Contest began on February 1, 2011, and ends at 11:59 p.m. EDT February 28, 2011. Reviews are limited to one per person.  The organization that receives the most number of reviews on www.guidestar.org and www.greatnonprofits.org during this period will win the grand prize of $5,000.

To write a review for Operation Gratitude, please click on http://www2.guidestar.org/organizations/20-0103575/operation-gratitude.aspx and then click "Write a Review" on the lefthand side of the page.

 

The winner will be announced in March.

07 Feb 2011

Operation Gratitude Launches Wounded Warrior Care Package Program

By Operation Graditude

Operation Gratitude Extends its Outreach to Our Wounded Warriors

 

Encino, CA--February 3, 2011: Having already shipped more than 600,000 care packages to service men and women deployed in combat zones, Operation Gratitude is pleased to announce a new program tailored to those wounded in service to their country.

 

Operation Gratitude will begin providing special Wounded Warrior Care Packages to service members recovering in Military Hospitals and Wounded Warrior Transition units located on military bases throughout the United States.

Wounded Warrior

Prior Wounded Warrior helps others heal at Brooke Army Medical Center WWTU

Further, in recognition that the Wounded Warrior often expresses deep concern for their buddies remaining on the front line, Operation Gratitude will send care packages on behalf of the Wounded Warrior to the rest of his or her unit still deployed downrange.

 

"We hope that sending those packages to their deployed comrades will help the wounded feel they are still contributing to the mission and supporting their buddies" according to Operation Gratitude founder, Carolyn Blashek.

 

Wounded Warrior Transition Units ("WWTU") provide critical support to the wounded and their families, focusing on those requiring six months or more of rehabilitative care and complex medical management.

 

Operation Gratitude Wounded Warrior Care Package deliveries will begin in February.  Patients at Bethesda National Naval Medical Center and soldiers in the WWTU at Ft. Polk, Louisiana will be among the first to receive the shipments.

 

"Here at the Soldier and Family Assistance Center (SFAC), we provide the non-medical support to the Wounded Warrior and their families assigned/attached to the  Warrior Transition Unit at Fort Polk," explained an SFAC Specialist.  "Your care packages will go a long way in letting the Wounded Warriors here at Fort Polk know that people care."

 

Operation Gratitude's annual goal is to provide 10,000 of the Wounded Warrior Care Packages filled with specially selected items donated through the generosity of corporate sponsors and supportive citizens, and assembled by the organization's dedicated volunteers.  More packages will be assembled and shipped if requested.

 

According to representatives at Wounded Warrior facilities, the most needed items are: Healthy Snacks, Entertainment items, Hygiene products, iPods and Gift Cards from chain stores such as supermarkets, drugstores, Target and Walmart.

 

As with its Care Packages to deployed troops, Operation Gratitude will provide every American a way to express their appreciation and encouragement to our heroes wounded in combat by donating items, contributing funds, crafting hand-made items and writing letters.

 

Operation Gratitude is particularly requesting personal letters of support and encouragement in order to include several in each package.  For information on writing letters: Letter Writing Flyer

For those wishing to thank a Wounded Warrior, letters and items can be sent to:

Operation Gratitude

17330 Victory Boulevard

Van Nuys, CA 91406

Attn: Wounded Warrior Program

For more information on how to support Wounded Warriors and troops deployed in harm's way, visit: 
How You Can Help

 

Financial donations can be made online here: Donate to Wounded Warriors or by check made payable and addressed to:

Operation Gratitude

16444 Refugio Road

Encino, CA 91436

11 Jan 2011

USMC Commandant Delivers 600,000th Package

By Operation Graditude

Encino, CA--January 6, 2011:  Operation Gratitude today revealed that the organization's 600,000th Care Package, containing the keys to a Victory Vegas 8-Ball Motorcycle, was personally delivered on Christmas Day by Marine Corps Commandant, General James Amos, to a Lance Corporal deployed in the Sangin District of Helmand Province, Afghanistan.  The Lance Corporal, whose name will be revealed upon his return to the United States, is an infantryman with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines (3/5), also known as the "Dark Horse Battalion."

"I received a phone call from a very happy young Marine on Christmas Day," exclaimed Carolyn Blashek, Operation Gratitude founder.  "He said: 'Your package means the world to me. I appreciate everybody who put something in that care package and everybody back home.  And I thank you for your love and support, as do all the other Marines who received packages from y'all.  Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.'"

Ten days earlier, Blashek had flown to Washington DC to meet General Amos, who, upon learning the recipient was a Marine with the 3/5, had offered to deliver the 600,000th Care Package during his trip to Afghanistan.  The Commandant met with more than 12,000 of the 20,000 Marines deployed in Afghanistan during the ten day trip.  While visiting with the "Dark Horse" Marines in Sangin on Christmas Day, he presented Operation Gratitude's milestone care package.

"We were outside in the  cold night air; about 200 Marines had just finished their Christmas meal. All of the senior leadership in the Battalion were present," wrote General Amos.  "The Battalion Commander called [the Lance Corporal] up in front of everyone and I gave him the package. He read  your letter to everyone before he figured out what the gift was. Then he read the second letter from Victory and was handed a picture of the bike...that did the lad in. He was crying and his fellow Marines were cheering. I don't think that it could have gone any better."  

General Amos added:  "God bless the many faithful Operation Gratitude volunteers for what they have done...over 600,000 times!!  My hearty thanks to all!"

The Victory Motorcycle will be presented to the Lance Corporal when the Battalion returns to Camp Pendleton in the Spring of 2011.

"Victory is always looking for meaningful ways to thank those serving in the military and our veterans," said Victory Motorcycles General Manager Steve Menneto. "The opportunity to partner with Operation Gratitude and donate one of our motorcycles to the organization's 600,000th care package means a lot to our company. We encourage everyone to continue finding ways to thank our troops for all they sacrifice in service to our country."


The 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, deployed in Sangin since late September, 2010, have faced an extremely dangerous and challenging operational environment, sustaining numerous casualties.  According to Lt. Colonel Jason Morris, the Battalion Commander, significant progress has been made in fracturing the enemy while providing humanitarian aid to the local populace.

"We hope our Milestone package, along with the approximately 1000 regular packages sent during our Holiday Drive, brought good cheer to the 3/5 Marines during this difficult time away from loved ones," said Blashek.  "We look forward to welcoming home each of the Marines in the Spring and personally thanking them and their families for their courageous service to our nation and the cause of freedom."
Operation Gratitude, a non-profit, volunteer-based organization, shipped more than 45,000 individually addressed care packages during the holidays and plans to send another five thousand or more before the Spring.  The group's Patriotic Drive will start in late April and run through June, sending an additional 40-50,000 care packages to Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Coast Guard and Marines deployed in harm's way.
01 Nov 2010

Operation Gratitude and CafePress Spread Cheer with Launch of Customizable Holiday Photo Cards Benefiting Our Troops

By Operation Graditude

Portion of Proceeds from Card Sales Donated to Operation Gratitude

Van Nuys, California; November 1, 2010 - CafePress, the leading source for custom printed products, has launched a special initiative to generate support for Operation Gratitude with customizable holiday cards. Cause-minded consumers can now send holiday cards customized with their own photos and text and benefit our Military at the same time.

With each customer purchase of a charity card, CafePress will donate 10% of the sale to Operation Gratitude to support its current mission of sending 50,000 Holiday Care Packages to U.S. troops deployed in harm's way.

To support Operation Gratitude, CafePress users simply select one of the cards designed especially for the organization at http://www.cafepress.com/make/operation_gratitude-holiday-photo-cards.  Then, they can easily customize it by uploading a personal photo and adding a festive message. Once they select from two types of high-end, textured paper and set their preferred quantity, they can send their holiday cheer on its way to friends and family.

"This is a wonderful way for our supporters to send their personal holiday greetings and also spread the word about Operation Gratitude," said Carolyn Blashek, founder of the non-profit Military Support organization.  "And each greeting card purchase helps us send another care package to a Service Member who will be far from home for the holidays-that makes these cards extra special."

"At CafePress, we know how passionate and active our customers are when it comes to giving back to the charities close to their hearts especially during the holidays" said CafePress Vice President of Marketing Amy Maniatis.  "With the launch of our stationary line, we saw the opportunity to use our unique platform to allow customers to both participate in a long-standing tradition of sending photo holiday cards as well as give back to the charity and cause close to their hearts."

To create a holiday photo card to benefit Operation Gratitude, please visit http://www.cafepress.com/make/operation_gratitude-holiday-photo-cards.

04 Oct 2010

Operation Gratitude & Operation Homefront Join Forces for Pepsi Refresh Project

By Operation Graditude

Online Contest Gives Supporters Chance to Award Grants up to $300,000 by Daily Voting

Van Nuys, CA - It won't cost a dime in October to help military service members and their families. Thanks to Operation Gratitude and Operation Homefront, patriotic Americans can provide valuable support with the click of a mouse. By selecting the organizations' joint grant proposal in the Pepsi Refresh Project, online voters can help the two military support groups win up to $300,000 for holiday programs supporting the men and women serving in harm's way and their families back home.

The joint venture is competing in two separate grant categories -- $250,000 and $50,000. Winners are determined solely by the final vote count.  Only the top two charities in the $250,000 contest will be awarded that grant. The top 10 charities competing for $50,000 will win that amount.

Voting on the "Homefront/Gratitude" joint proposal is needed every day through the month of October. Supporters are encouraged to vote each of three different ways daily:
1. On RefeshEverything.com for the Operation Homefront/Operation Gratitude application
in the $250,000 and $50,000 categories;
2. Through the Pepsi Refresh Facebook application; and
3. By texting 103268 for the $250K grant and 103144 for the $50K grant to PEPSI (73774).
(Standard text messaging rates apply)

Operation Homefront provides emergency assistance to military families and wounded warriors; Operation Gratitude sends care packages to deployed service members.  If successful in winning a grant, the two organizations will use the funds to send holiday care packages to troops deployed in Afghanistan, give holiday toys to military children and provide food to wounded warriors and military families throughout the holiday season.

"We know we're on the same page when it comes to our commitment to military families, but we also know the competition for this grant money is intense," said Amy Palmer, chief operating officer and co-founder of Operation Homefront. "We really believe that by working together and pooling our supporters, we can win this."

"This is what social networking truly is all about," said Carolyn Blashek, president and founder of Operation Gratitude. "We're both nonprofits with limited finances and boots on the ground. We have to do more with less. Through this partnership, we now have more than we could ever muster on our own."

###
02 Aug 2010

First of Operation Gratitude's 500,000th Care Package Gifts Presented to Soldier

By Operation Graditude

Sands Resorts, AVTT and Operation Gratitude Donate the First
Harley Davidson in the Hall of Heroes.
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C., July 30 -- A Fort Bragg soldier recently returned from Afghanistan received a Harley Davidson Sportster during an Appreciation Ceremony in the Hall of Heroes at the Rawcliffe Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  The donation was made by Lee Rawcliffe, owner of Sands Resorts and Don Allen, CEO of American Veterans Traveling Tribute ("AVTT").  A second soldier will be receiving a Sportster in the fall.

The soldiers, randomly selected as the Operation Gratitude milestone 500,000th Care Package recipients last December, are US Army Staff Sgt. William Fullerton, a squad leader from 82nd Division Special Troops Battalion and US Army Sgt. Michael Herne, an infantryman with 82nd Airborne Division.

SSG Fullerton on his Harley
500,000th--1
During the presentation ceremony, Staff Sgt. Fullerton graciously accepted his gift as family, friends, and military supporters applauded the efforts of all servicemen.   A luncheon and reception followed.  A similar event is planned for Sgt. Herne in the coming weeks.

"Our purpose is to show continuous support for Americans who protect our country," said Lee Rawcliffe.  "Our plans include more future recognitions to these courageous Americans."  In 2009, Sands Resorts dedicated the Hall of Heroes as a tribute to American Heroes.  Since then, there have been ongoing projects to recognize both Wounded Warriors and VFWs.

Operation Gratitude sends care packages filled with fifty or more assorted snack, entertainment and personal care items to US Service Members deployed in combat.  The volunteer-based non-profit will send its 600,000th care package this December.

ABOUT OPERATION GRATITUDE
Operation Gratitude ( www.OperationGratitude.com ) is the 501 (c) (3) non-profit, volunteer-based organization that annually sends 100,000+ care packages filled with snacks, entertainment items and personal letters of appreciation addressed to individual U.S. Service Members deployed in hostile regions.  Our mission is to lift morale, bring a smile to a service member's face and express to our Armed Forces the appreciation and support of the American people. Each package contains donated product valued at ~$125 and costs the organization $15 to assemble and ship. Since its inception in 2003, Operation Gratitude has shipped more than 550,000 packages to American Military deployed overseas.  For more information: opgrat@gmail.com

07 Dec 2009

One way to Boost the Moral of our Troops

By Operation Graditude

Write Letters, Letters and More Letters!

Our care package recipients often tell us that their favorite item in the package is the personal letter written by a fellow citizen from home.  Operation Gratitude strives to include several letters of appreciation in every package that we send...which means we need hundreds of thousands of letters! Teachers and Parents: We especially ask for children's letters. Please include your address or e-mail in each letter so the recipient can choose to write back. For more information about our letter writing campaign, click here or email opgrat@gmail.com

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