Los Angeles, CA - December 17, 2014 - Operation Gratitude is excited to announce the launch of its "New Recruit" Care Package program to thank our newest members of the Military for stepping forward and devoting the next several years of their lives in service to our nation. Upon Graduation from "Boot Camp," each New Recruit is handed a unique package of goodies from Operation Gratitude in a new custom-designed box.

The New Recruit Care Package Program is already in full swing at both Marine Corps Recruiting Depots in San Diego and Parris Island, and at the Navy's Great Lakes Recruit Training Command in Illinois.  The organization expects to bring the Army and Air Force training centers on board in 2015.

The response has been overwhelmingly positive:

"We are excited and honored to start this program at Recruit Training Command. Operation Gratitude lets the nation's newest Sailors know that someone is always thinking about them. These care packages show the Sailors that they are part of the Navy family and the country is proud of them for their decision to serve." -Capt. Doug Pfeifle (pictured here), commanding officer of Recruit Training Command (RTC) in Great Lakes, IL.

"Greetings! I am a Private who just recently graduated from Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. On the last week of boot camp, each of us received one of your packages, and I wanted to let you know that they were very much appreciated. Receiving those packages helped make us feel human again, and that reminder of our nation's support boosted our morale.  Thank you very much for your generosity. Semper Fidelis." -Pvt K.J.

"I am a new Marine Mom. My son graduated MCRD as a Private on Nov 7. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the Care Package you sent him. We were not allowed to send things to him so him receiving this care package, I know made his day. I had tears in my eyes reading your mission statement. Thank you, Thank you! He wore the knitted beanie all the way home." -M.B.H., Texas

In addition to an assortment of snacks, hygiene, entertainment and hand-made items, each Care Package includes a "Loved One Medallion," a specially designed Operation Gratitude keepsake for the New Recruit to share with a special family member or friend. The Medallion thanks loved ones for their support and lets them know that the American people stand "hand in hand" with them.

"We hope the recruits get two things from receiving these packages," said Angel Cuevas, Director of Operations for Operation Gratitude. "First, we hope it lifts their morale. Second, we want them to know someone, somewhere cares. This is the generosity of the American public. We are supporting their mission wherever it takes them, and we don't want them to be alone."

The distribution of all New Recruit Care Packages is handled directly with the Military training centers.

Just as with all of our care package programs, every American can support the New Recruit Packages by organizing collection drives, writing letters, hand-crafting scarves, hats and bracelets, or contributing financially.

Links
Operation Gratitude Website- www.operationgratitude.com
Navy Press Release - http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=84758

We have three immediate ways to share your support

All of us at Operation Gratitude are gearing up for the busiest season of the year! Between now and the end of 2014, we will ship more than 40,000 packages to our Deployed Troops, New Recruits, Military Families and Veterans.

Here are three ways for you to get involved--from anywhere in the country:

ONE:  Participate in our #SayThanks Campaign and Send a Picture Directly to our Troops Would you like to send a picture and a message of thanks to our nation's Service Members, Veterans and Military Families?

Now is your chance to capture your gratitude in a photo. Your visual message of heartfelt thanks will remind our heroes and their families that they are always remembered and appreciated.

Click here today to submit your picture and we will share it online and send it in a Care Package on November 8th.

TWO:  Send your Deployed Loved One a Care Package Filled with Goodies and Appreciation

Each month, hundreds of volunteers take part in our Assembly Days where they produce thousands of packages for our Military.

Do you have a loved one, friend or colleague serving overseas?

Click here to send them an Operation Gratitude Care Package filled with nearly 50 assorted snacks, entertainment and hand-made items, personal care products, and letters of love and respect.

THREE:  Make a Donation to Send Packages to our Troops

We get pictures and notes from the Troops that receive our packages every day:

"A care package like that can change our outlook on the entire day."

"Getting something in the mail really lifts spirits."

"It really helps to know that we are loved..."

You can help us keep our mission alive by making a donation of $15 to send a care package overseas, $30 to send two or $180 to send one every month for the next year.

Our Troops need to know that we remember them and appreciate them for the sacrifices they make each day.

Now is the Time

The holidays are especially hard on our Service Members because they are so far away from home and loved ones. Now is the time to show we care.

Thank you for your enthusiastic support!

My best wishes to all our friends in the United States Marine Corps for a very happy USMC birthday!  Tomorrow we will join you in celebrating 237 years of brave and honorable service to our country. Thank you to all who, past and present, bear the name "U.S. Marine."

Sunday is Veterans Day, another special occasion when we have the opportunity to thank, honor and salute all U.S. Military Veterans. We owe you a debt that can and will never be fully repaid. We are grateful to you, and to your families, for the faithful service rendered to our Nation in times of peace and war.

In tribute to both the Marine Corps birthday and Veterans Day, we have published a new blog post written by our own John Adams, a Marine and combat Veteran who recently left active duty and joined our Operation Gratitude team.

Please read John's moving words here: A Veteran's Salute

Thank you for your generosity in support of deployed Troops, Veterans, Military Families, Wounded Warriors and First Responders. We couldn't do what we do without you!

All best,

Carolyn Blashek, Founder
Operation Gratitude

May 26, 2011 -- Operation Gratitude, the 501(c)(3) Military support charity, and co-sponsor True Religion Brand Jeans® have launched a "Pictures for Patriots" contest designed to encourage students in kindergarten through 12th grade to use their artistic talents to express patriotic support and gratitude for deployed U.S. troops.

 

"The troops love getting kids' artwork in their Operation Gratitude care packages," explained Carolyn Blashek, founder of the organization. "Some decorate their living or work space with it, others save it in a special place to bring home someday, and a few even carry the drawings with them on all their missions, tucked into their pockets or helmets for good luck and comfort."

Hoping to receive more of such treasures and at the same time discover the perfect drawing for the cover of their annual Operation Gratitude Magazine, published exclusively for deployed troops, Operation Gratitude, in cooperation with True Religion Brand Jeans®, designed a social media-based contest to engage the public's help.

 

Students in K-12 are invited to submit digital images of their drawings from May 25 through June 15 via email to: OpGratMedia@gmail.com. The original  drawings must also be mailed, along with an Entry/Parent Permission Form, to: Pictures for Patriots 2011/Operation Gratitude; 16444 Refugio Road; Encino, California 91436

Operation Gratitude and True Religion Brand Jeans® will choose 10 Finalist drawings from among all entries submitted. Commencing on June 20, the 10 Finalist drawings will be posted in a "Pictures for Patriots" photo album on Operation Gratitude's Facebook page. Facebook users may then "like" their favorite entry, thereby voting for the drawing they believe is best. One "like" equals one vote. The three drawings with the most votes by the contest's July 3 closing date will be announced as the Grand Prize Winners on July 4 and each Winner will earn a $500 donation to the student's school and an iPod for themselves. The entry with the greatest number of votes will be placed on the cover of the upcoming Operation Gratitude Magazine.

 

Each of the 10 Finalists will receive a pair of True Religion Brand Jeans®, an Operation Gratitude DogTag, and will be featured on the inside pages of the Operation Gratitude Magazine. In addition, each of the 10 Finalists will be assisted in the filing of an application to obtain a U.S. copyright registration for their drawing submission. True Religion Brand Jeans® will select one or more of the drawing submissions to be printed on T-Shirts that will be sold from their retail stores.  A portion of the proceeds from those sales will be contributed to Operation Gratitude.

Complete official "Pictures for Patriots" Rules may be found here. Download and print an Entry Form here.

For those students who otherwise wouldn't be able to volunteer in the armory because they're under age 12 or live too far away, Blashek urged: "This is an ideal opportunity to show their appreciation and support for the troops in a creative and special way!  We hope parents, teachers, scout and youth group leaders will encourage their children to participate in this very patriotic and meaningful activity."

 

"True Religion Brand Jeans® is humbled and honored to participate in this program with Operation Gratitude," said Chief Executive Officer, Jeffrey Lubell. "This is a beautiful and meaningful display of support and appreciation for our deployed service men and women."