06 Jan 2016

OPERATION GRADITUDE - Saying "Thank You" to all Who Serve

By Operation Gratitude
A Temporary Home

Dear Friends,

My many thanks for all of your hard work during the past year. You propelled...
28 Oct 2015

ANOTHER MILESTONE & A NEW GOAL

By Operation Gratitude
On December 7, 2013, Operation Gratitude celebrated its biggest milestone to that date -- our One Millionth Care Package.

On October 17th of this year, we reached another milestone: Our volunteers assembled and shipped our 1.3 Millionth Package!
In the past 22 months, we have experienced extraordinary growth and development:

1. Our 50,000 volunteers nationwide assembled and shipped 311,860 care packages to the Military, wove 98,929 paracord survival bracelets, handmade 49,803 hats, scarves & cool-ties, and wrote 1,247,440 letters of appreciation!
2. We launched two new care package programs:  
"Care Packages for New Recruits" -- to say "Thank You" to the youngest men and women who bravely pledge the next several years of their lives in defense of our nation; and the
"First Responder Program" -- to express appreciation to all who serve our nation here at home: Law enforcement, firefighters and emergency medical technicians (EMTs).

3. We announced our move to a new location that can accommodate our ever-expanding mission.
Your dedication, and that of other Operation Gratitude supporters all over the country, made all this happen, and truly make a difference!

Now, close to 10,000 U.S. troops remain in harm's way in Afghanistan. More than 150,000 American Service Members are deployed around the globe, many in dangerous "hot-spots."   2.3 Million First Responders serve on the frontlines here at home.

All of these heroes need, and deserve, to feel our gratitude.

Join us this holiday season to say "Thank You" to our men and women in uniform.  Here are three ways you can help:
  1. Volunteer your time
  2. Send items on our Wish List
  3. Donate funds to ship care packages
We are doubling down on our commitment to all who serve this nation. Our goal for the next 14 months is to send 200,000 care packages on our "March to the 2nd Million."

Together, we can do it.

Thank you for your generosity, passion and commitment to this cause.  I am forever grateful. www.OperationGratitude.com
22 May 2015

A Touching Tribute

By Operation Gratitude
As we approach the Memorial Day Weekend, we remember the courageous men and women who volunteered--and sacrificed-- to defend our freedom in times of peace and in times of war. We would like to share with you this touching tribute by The Texas Tenors.
Let's also remember the heroes who are currently serving.

Do you have a loved one who is deployed overseas?  Click here and we will send them an Operation Gratitude care package.

For those of you who want to honor someone serving far from home today, please consider writing a letter of appreciation.  We will send your kind words in our next round of care packages.
To our deployed Troops, Veterans, Wounded Warriors, New Recruits, Military Families and First Responders:
Thank you for all that you do to make our Nation great. God bless you, and God bless the U.S.A.

With appreciation,
Operation Gratitude
22 Apr 2014

Operation Gratitude Announces National Initiatives

By Operation Gratitude
Operation Gratitude Ramps Up Nationwide Effort in Support of Troops

Nonprofit Military Support Organization Launches Initiatives to Expand
Operation Gratitude has delivered 1 million care packages to U.S. troops, and now the nonprofit organization is ramping up its efforts, professionalizing its approach to managing a network of tens of thousands of volunteers, and launching a nationwide initiative to provide connections to home for the many thousands of men and women who have served and continue to serve globally.

"We're doubling down," said Operation Gratitude founder Carolyn Blashek. "We delivered our one millionth care package in December, and as we reflected upon that accomplishment, we concluded that this is an important turning point. It's an opportunity to take our efforts to the next level, and to thank even more troops and veterans for the sacrifices they make to protect freedom around the world."

The new initiative is highlighted by several significant actions designed to raise national awareness of  Operation Gratitude and transform it into an even more effective means by which a grateful nation can thank those who serve. Among these steps are the hiring of new professional team members, the creation of a national advisory board, creation of a national network of veterans, and a new outreach effort to reconnect the organization with volunteers and supporters who have helped Operation Gratitude in the past.

"This is going to be an exciting time for Operation Gratitude," said Chris Clark, the organization's new National Chief Development Officer. "Carolyn Blashek puts her heart and soul into letting our troops know they are remembered and appreciated by the American people. These new initiatives will nationalize that heart-and-soul effort, and help us better leverage the efforts of our vast network of volunteers to do the greatest amount of good for the troops."

"Chris is a key addition to our team," Blashek said of Clark, a seasoned nonprofit executive who over the past decade has raised more than $20 million on behalf of nonprofit organizations including the Special Olympics and the YMCA. "His experience and knowledge are immensely valuable, and his enthusiasm is contagious."

Clark said the new initiative is already getting under way.

"We're forming a national advisory board, which will help steer the organization's efforts, and we're seeking influential leaders who are passionate about supporting our troops," Clark said. "This group will have a tremendous impact on elevating Operation Gratitude's national profile."

Operation Gratitude is also establishing a network of veterans who have received assistance from the organization and wish to help it benefit those who follow them in military service. "This group will give us tremendous insight, and help us create programs that will have the strongest positive impact on our troops," Clark said.

Blashek added that the organization is reaching out to past volunteers and supporters, seeking to reconnect and renew individuals' commitments to support the troops.

"Our most powerful resource has always been, and always will be, our network of volunteers and generous supporters," Blashek said. "We're thanking them for their past support, and also encouraging them to make a new commitment to bring a slice of home to those who serve our country."

Operation Gratitude was founded in 2003 to send care  packages of donated items and say "Thank You" to the troops. The California-based organization has blossomed, sending approximately 150,000 care packages annually to deployed service members, their children at home, veterans, new recruits, wounded warriors, caregivers and first responders. Care packages typically include handmade items, messages of appreciation and $75 to $100 worth of donated goods. It costs about $15 to assemble and ship each package.

Blashek said it's always important, even during times of relative peace, to let those who serve -- and have served -- know they are not forgotten.

"There's a bit of a misconception out there that the need for our expression of gratitude is diminished, since hostilities are winding down on one front or another," Blashek said. "But that's an incorrect assumption. The need remains as much as ever. At any given time we have tens of thousands of men and women serving their country overseas, many of them in harm's way, and many more stepping forward every year, entering the military to dedicate the next several years of their lives to the defense of our nation."

She added: "We need to let them know we care about them, we respect them, and we appreciate the sacrifices they make, every day, to protect us here at home."

  About Operation Gratitude: The nonprofit organization (www.OperationGratitude.org) annually sends 150,000-plus care packages filled with snacks, entertainment, hygiene and hand-made items, plus personal letters of appreciation, to veterans, new recruits, first responders, wounded warriors, care givers and to individually named U.S. service members deployed overseas. Its mission is to lift the spirits and meet the evolving needs of our active duty and veteran communities, and provide volunteer opportunities for all Americans to express their appreciation to members of our military. Each package contains donated product valued at $75-$100 and costs the organization $15 to assemble and ship. Since its inception in 2003, Operation Gratitude volunteers have shipped more than One Million Care Packages.
09 Dec 2013

ONE MILLIONTH CARE PACKAGE CELEBRATED BY THOUSANDS.

By Operation Gratitude
It's official! We celebrated our historic One Millionth Care Package on Saturday, December 7, when it rolled off the assembly line to the cheers of thousands of volunteers, supporters, Military Brass, Elected Officials and Hollywood Celebrities. Adding to the excitement was the reveal of the special gift for the recipient of the milestone package: A Ford F-150 Pickup Truck donated by 5-hour ENERGY®.

  Under a large tent adjacent to the California Army National Guard Armory, Event Emcees Fritz Coleman, Andy Chanley and Joe Garner welcomed active duty Service Members and Military Veterans throughout the day. Many of these men and women were past recipients of Operation Gratitude care packages, and wore specially designed pins saying "I Serve" or "I Served."  Three previous Operation Gratitude Milestone Package recipients were in attendance: Sgt. Shaun Gallagher (300,000th package); Sgt. Eric Rodriguez (750,000th package) and Sgt. Samuel Mancilla (800,000th package). 

Six World War II Veterans were honored guests, including Lt. Colonel Bob Friend, a Tuskegee Airman, and Bea Cohen, the oldest living female World War II Veteran at 103-years-old.

To the delight of their fans, celebrities Leah Remini, Joe Mantegna, Stelio Savante, Bill Jones, Kevyn Major Howard and cast members from the new TV show, Enlisted, joined the festivities, as did Dodgers great Al "The Bull" Ferrara, and radio host and author, Michael Reagan. 

Making a very popular debut as the keepsake item of the Event was the "Gratitude Journal," a beautiful 148-page retrospective, chronicling Operation Gratitude from its humble beginnings to its One Millionth Package celebration. This classic "cocktail table-style" Tribute Book will be available to order online this week.
Two Assembly Lines were in full swing, producing 3,000 care packages in just two hours. In addition, the activities  included Military and First Responder Booths, fun games with prizes for young children, a letter writing area with custom printed holiday cards for the troops, a paracord bracelet workshop, and a photo booth.

Attendees were served a complimentary lunch courtesy of several community organizations and local businesses. Adding a holiday touch, Santa Claus was on hand giving out gifts to all the children.


"This is an extraordinary day in the life of Operation Gratitude," said Penny Alfonso, Volunteer and Community Service Coordinator. "I was at the very first Assembly Day in 2003 and it is breathtaking to witness this accomplishment by caring and patriotic Americans all across the country, whose goal is to say 'Thank You' to our Military."


The backdrop to the entire Event was the elegant and moving replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall, presented by American Veterans Traveling Tribute. A special memorial program in front of The Wall opened with a rousing  rendition of the National Anthem by the St. Francis de Sales Choir, and an inspirational invocation by Captain Brenda Threatt, a chaplain with the California State Military Reserve. Veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan, joined Gold and Blue Star Mothers and War Dog, Cpl. Breezy, USMC (Ret.) to lay wreaths in honor of the Fallen.


In a powerful and moving display, the Condor Squadron Officers and Airmen Association touched the crowd with three flyovers of vintage World War II North American AT-6 airplanes. The final flyover performed the "Missing Man" formation in honor of fallen pilots.

In poignant remarks, The Adjutant General of California, Major General David Baldwin and John Barron, COO of American Veterans Traveling Tribute spoke of the sacrifices made by our Military and their families. Also in attendance representing their respective branches were Vice Admiral David Buss, Commander, Naval Air Forces, Brigadier General Vincent Coglianese, Commanding General, 1st Marine Logistics Group (1st MLG); and Command Sergeant Major William Clarke, the Senior Enlisted Soldier in California.

 

Steve Politis, a 96-year-old B-17 fighter pilot who was shot down over Yugoslavia in World War II, was visibly moved by the outpouring of respect for America's Veterans. "I think about the many Operati  on Gratitude volunteer 'hands' that have touched these one million care packages--either by assembling the boxes or making one of the items inside," he offered. "There is no more beautiful way to express appreciation and let our Military know that people care."

 

Always a highlight of Operation Gratitude milestone package celebrations, the reveal of the special gifts for the One Millionth Care Package brought gasps and cheers from the audience of more than 4,000 attendees. Upper Deck,
producer of sports cards and authenticated sports memorabilia, presented a poster hand-addressed to the One Millionth Package Recipient, signed by Tiger Woods.

 

Best Buy, the consumer electronics giant, revealed two Home Entertainment Systems--one each for the Millionth and the One Millionth & One packages. The systems included 55 and 32-inch Insignia TVs, Rocketfish wireless speakers, Insignia digital cameras and picture frames,a plethora of Rocketfish accessories, plus iPads.

 

 Catching the crowd completely off-guard, Living Essentials, LLC, the distributor of 5-hour ENERGY® shots, unveiled the major gift for the recipient of Operation Gratitude's One Millionth Care Package: a Ford F-150 pickup truck. The vehicle will be delivered to the soon-to-be-revealed service member upon returning home from deployment next Spring.

"Our One Millionth Care Package represents the enormous generosity and support of patriotic Americans and businesses all across the country," said Carolyn Blashek, founder of Operation Gratitude."We are thrilled that Upper Deck, Best Buy and 5-hour ENERGY® donated such extraordinary gifts to the milestone package recipient, who today represents all the members of the greatest Military on earth."

 

An exciting secret overseas delivery of The One Millionth Care Package, containing symbolic keys to the Ford F-150 and certificates for the other gifts, will be revealed to the public through social and traditional media in the coming week.

 

Looking ahead, Blashek noted that even as America's longest war is coming to an end, our troops continue to  deploy to "hot-spots" far from home for long periods of time, and 40,000 Wounded Warriors, 23 million Veterans and their families wonder whether they have been forgotten. "Operation Gratitude's goal remains the same: Lift the spirits and meet the evolving needs of our Active Duty and Veteran communities, and provide volunteer opportunities for all Americans to express their appreciation to members of our Military," she said, adding, "Today we have started our March to the Second Million."

To see great photos from the day, please visit:

March to a Million Event -- Album 1
March to a Million Event -- Album 2

For additional information about Operation Gratitude's programs and activities, follow us on these sites:

www.OperationGratitude.com
www.facebook.com/OperationGratitude
www.twitter.com/OpGratitude


Help us continue to support our Military. Please make a tax-deductible donation today: Donate Now


# # #

About Operation Gratitude: Operation Gratitude annually sends 100,000+ care packages filled with snacks, entertainment and hand-made items and personal letters of appreciation addressed to Veterans, First Responders, Wounded Warriors, Care Givers and to individually named U.S. Service Members deployed in hostile regions. Our mission is to lift the spirits and meet the evolving needs of our Active Duty and Veteran communities, and provide volunteer opportunities for all Americans to express their appreciation to members of our Military. Each package contains donated product valued at $75-100 and costs the organization $15 to assemble and ship. Since its inception in 2003, Operation Gratitude volunteers have shipped more than One Million care packages.

09 Dec 2013

ONE MILLIONTH CARE PACKAGE CELEBRATED BY THOUSANDS

By Operation Gratitude
Van Nuys, CA -- December 7, 2013 -- Operation Gratitude, the non-profit, volunteer-based Military and Veteran support organization celebrated its historic One Millionth Care Package when it rolled off the assembly line today to the cheers of thousands of volunteers, supporters, Military Brass, Elected Officials and Hollywood Celebrities.  Adding to the excitement was the reveal of the special gift for the recipient of the milestone package: A Ford F-150 Pickup Truck donated by 5-hour ENERGY®.

Under a large tent adjacent to the California Army National Guard Armory, Event Emcees Fritz Coleman, Andy Chanley and Joe Garner welcomed active duty Service Members and Military Veterans throughout the day. Many of these men and women were past recipients of Operation Gratitude care packages, and wore specially designed pins saying "I Serve" or "I Served."  Three previous Operation Gratitude Milestone Package recipients were in attendance: Sgt. Shaun Gallagher (300,000th package); Sgt. Eric Rodriguez (750,000th package) and Sgt. Samuel Mancilla (800,000th package). 

Six World War II Veterans were honored guests, including Lt. Colonel Bob Friend, a Tuskegee Airman, and Bea Cohen, the oldest living female World War II Veteran at 103 years old.

To the delight of their fans, Celebrities Leah Remini, Joe Mantegna, Stelio Savante, Bill Jones and cast members from the new TV show, Enlisted, joined the festivities, as did Dodger great Al "The Bull" Ferrara, and radio host and author, Michael Reagan.

Two Assembly Lines were in full swing, producing 3,000 care packages in just two hours.  In addition, the activities  included Military and First Responder Booths, fun games with prizes for young children, a letter writing area with custom printed holiday cards for the troops, a paracord bracelet workshop, and a photo booth.

Several gourmet food trucks were on site and thousands of attendees were served a complimentary lunch courtesy of several community organizations and local businesses.  Adding a holiday touch, Santa Claus was on hand giving out gifts to all the children.

"This is an extraordinary day in the life of Operation Gratitude," said Penny Alfonso, Volunteer and Community Service Coordinator.  "I was at the very first Assembly Day in 2003 and it is breathtaking to witness this accomplishment by caring and patriotic Americans all across the country, whose goal is to say 'Thank You' to our Military."

The backdrop to the entire Event was the elegant and moving replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall, presented by American Veterans Traveling Tribute. A special memorial program in front of The Wall opened with a rousing rendition of the National Anthem by the St. Francis de Sales Choir, and an inspirational invocation by Captain Brenda Threatt, a chaplain with the California State Military Reserve. Veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan, joined Gold and Blue Star Mothers and War Dog, Cpl. Breezy, USMC (Ret.) to lay wreaths in honor of the Fallen.

In poignant remarks, The Adjutant General of California, Major General David Baldwin and John Barron, COO of American Veterans Traveling Tribute spoke of the sacrifices made by our Military and their families. Also in attendance representing their respective branches were Vice Admiral David Buss, Commander, Naval Air Forces, Brigadier General Vincent Coglianese, Commanding General, 1st Marine Logistics Group (1st MLG); and Command Sergeant Major William Clarke, the Senior Enlisted Soldier in California.

Steve Politis, a 96 year old B-17 fighter pilot who was shot down over Yugoslavia in World War II, was visibly moved by the outpouring of respect for America's Veterans.  "I think about the many Operation Gratitude volunteer 'hands' that have touched these one million care packages--either by assembling the boxes or making one of the items inside," he offered.  "There is no more beautiful way to express appreciation and let our Military know that people care."

Always a highlight of Operation Gratitude milestone package celebrations, the reveal of the special gifts for the One Millionth Care Package brought gasps and cheers from the audience of more than 4,000 attendees. Upper Deck, producer of sports cards and authenticated sports memorabilia, presented a poster hand-addressed to the One Millionth Package Recipient, signed by Tiger Woods.

Best Buy, the consumer electronics giant, revealed two Home Entertainment Systems--one each for the Millionth and the One Millionth & One packages. The systems included 55 and 32-inch Insignia TVs, Rocketfish wireless speakers, Insignia digital cameras and picture frames,a plethora of Rocketfish accessories, plus iPads.

Catching the crowd completely off-guard, Living Essentials, LLC, the distributor of 5-hour ENERGY® shots, unveiled the major gift for the recipient of Operation Gratitude's One Millionth Care Package: a Ford F-150 pickup truck.  The vehicle will be delivered to the soon-to-be-revealed service member upon returning home from deployment next Spring.

"Our One Millionth Care Package represents the enormous generosity and support of patriotic Americans and businesses all across the country," said Carolyn Blashek, founder of Operation Gratitude.  "We are thrilled that Upper Deck, Best Buy and 5-hour ENERGY® donated such extraordinary gifts to the milestone package recipient, who today represents all the members of the greatest Military on earth."

An exciting secret overseas delivery of The One Millionth Care Package, containing symbolic keys to the Ford F-150 and certificates for the other gifts, will be revealed to the public through social and traditional media in the coming week.

Looking ahead, Blashek noted that even as America's longest war is coming to an end, our troops continue to deploy to "hot-spots" far from home for long periods of time, and 40,000 Wounded Warriors, 23 million Veterans and their families wonder whether they have been forgotten. "Operation Gratitude's goal remains the same: Lift the spirits and meet the evolving needs of our Active Duty and Veteran communities, and provide volunteer opportunities for all Americans to express their appreciation to members of our Military," she asserted.  "Today we have started our March to the Second Million."

For more information about Operation Gratitude programs and activities, follow them on these sites:
www.OperationGratitude.com
www.facebook.com/OperationGratitude
www.twitter.com/OpGratitude

 


# # #

About Operation Gratitude: Operation Gratitude annually sends 100,000+ care packages filled with snacks, entertainment and hand-made items and personal letters of appreciation addressed to Veterans, First Responders, Wounded Warriors, Care Givers and to individually named U.S. Service Members deployed in hostile regions. Our mission is to lift the spirits and meet the evolving needs of our Active Duty and Veteran communities, and provide volunteer opportunities for all Americans to express their appreciation to members of our Military. Each package contains donated product valued at $75-100 and costs the organization $15 to assemble and ship. Since its inception in 2003, Operation Gratitude volunteers have shipped more than One Million care packages.

14 Aug 2012

Military Support Charity Expands Mission, Delivers Care Packages to Veterans

By Operation Gratitude

Van Nuys, CA -- In its on-going mission to express the appreciation of the American people for the sacrifices of our Military, troop support organization Operation Gratitude has expanded its efforts by delivering thousands of care packages to Military Veterans around the country.

A "Welcome Home Heroes" celebration sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), a weekly gathering of mostly World War II veterans and a Vietnam Veterans picnic are just a few of the venues at which many of the "Veterans Care Packages" were recently distributed...and emotionally received.

Upon receiving his care package, one Vietnam Veteran remarked, "No one ever said 'thank you' to me before. All that happened when I returned home was I got cursed at and spat on."

At the gathering of World War II veterans, package recipients nostalgically looked through the items in their care packages and commented how nice or useful it would have been to receive the enclosed snacks and hygiene products when they were at war. The veteran warriors were especially moved by the personal letters of thanks written by children.

Operation Gratitude founder, Carolyn Blashek wants Veterans from all eras to know their service is not forgotten. "It's never too late to say 'Thank You' to these heroic men and women," she says.


Steve PolitisBlashek cherishes the words of 92-year-old World War II veteran, Steve Politis (pictured left) who said upon receiving an Operation Gratitude Care Package from her: "You are the first person in history to give a care package to someone who served in a war before you were even born."

Many more care package distribution events are planned in the coming months, leading up to a big outreach for Veterans Day in November. Operation Gratitude volunteers are spending August and September assembling these special gifts, which contain many of the same items sent to those currently serving in harm's way.   Vet care package

Blashek hopes to get the word out nationwide, noting, "We will send care packages to VA hospitals, Veterans nursing homes, Veterans groups, and other Veteran support organizations all across the country." She added: "Just as with our care packages to deployed troops, we want to put a smile on the face of every Veteran who courageously served our nation."


Program/Activity Directors and Representatives from Veterans groups should contact Operation Gratitude at opgrat@OperationGratitude.com to request Veterans Care Packages.

Every Veterans Care Package contains donated products and costs the organization $15 to assemble and ship. Financial Donations to support this program can be made online here: Send a Veterans Care Package

Businesses wishing to donate should contact Dana Chotiner at Dana@OperationGratitude.com for more information about corporate sponsorships.

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About Operation Gratitude: Operation Gratitude annually sends 100,000+ care packages filled with snacks, entertainment items and personal letters of appreciation addressed to individually named U.S. Service Members deployed in harm's way, to their children left behind, to Veterans, to Military families and Veterans in financial distress due to unemployment, to Emergency First Responders and to Wounded Warriors recuperating in transition units. The organization's 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 $75-100 and costs the organization $15 to assemble and ship. For safety and security, assembling of packages occurs at the Army National Guard armory in Van Nuys, California. Since its inception in 2003, Operation Gratitude volunteers have shipped more than 815,000 packages to American Military members and their children.
25 Jun 2012

Operation Gratitude Sends 800,000th Care Package

By Operation Gratitude
Van Nuys, CA -- The crowd was electric and in a celebratory mood on June 16 when more than 500 volunteers descended on the California National Guard Armory in Van Nuys to assemble the 800,000th Operation Gratitude Care Package. 

The Milestone package, which will be delivered to a service member currently deployed in harm's way, includes the keys to a custom built "American Chopper" donated by Torque Sports and Performance, Inc. and the SJO Foundation for Hope. 

"Our troops face separation from home and loved ones while they are deployed so Torque Sports and Performance wanted to do something special to let all our Military know we appreciate their sacrifice," said Scott James, President and CEO of Torque Sports and Performance. "We contacted our friends at Orange Country Choppers, a brand that is synonymous with American ingenuity and quality, and they agreed to build a custom chopper for us to give away for a special occasion."

The perfect special occasion turned out to be the shipment of Operation Gratitude's 800,000th care package. James and business partner Scott Templeton were present at the armory to make the announcement about the gift Chopper, which will be revealed and presented to the package recipient at the Armory in December of this year.

Reflecting on the magnitude of the occasion, Operation Gratitude founder, Carolyn Blashek, explained that the 800,000th care package symbolizes:
  • 6.4 Million pounds of donated product
  • $8 Million in shipping costs
  • 40 Million items
  • $80 Million worth of product shipped since the organization started in 2003.
Yet the real significance of all those numbers, Blashek said, is that they represent the enormous generosity of the American people, individually and through businesses.

"The reason we celebrate this package is first to recognize the more than two million  brave warriors who have deployed over the last 10 years," she said.  In addition, we acknowledge "the hundreds of incredibly generous Corporate Sponsors who ensure we can fill the packages and the thousands and thousands of supporters who donate funds, letters, scarves, Beanie Babies and all the other items that go into our packages."

Finally, Blashek noted that the tally also highlights the extraordinary dedication  of more than 14,000 local volunteers who have given tens of thousands of hours of their time to collect, receive, log in, sort, inspect, organize, prepare and assemble the donated product into these "Thank You" care packages. 

"No other organization in history has sent this many packages personally addressed to individual service members," she exclaimed.

According to James and Templeton, the Chopper, which will be built this summer, will have a Rolling Thunder frame, an S&S 100ci polished EPA engine, a custom Torque paint job and a primary cover with five authentic U.S. Military coins (representing the 5 Military branches) embedded on it. "The designs on the rear fender will pay tribute to the wonderful volunteers of Operation Gratitude and to the U.S. troops of the past, present and future," James said.

To commemorate the surprise Milestone day, each volunteer received a special "March to a Million" dogtag that reads: "I am a part of Operation Gratitude History." The limited-edition dog-tags will be available to all donors of at least $15 (the cost to assemble and ship one care package) from July 1 through October 31, 2012 and then again during special designated months in 2013.

###

About Operation Gratitude
Operation Gratitude annually sends 100,000+ care packages filled with snacks, entertainment items and personal letters of appreciation addressed to individually named U.S. Service Members deployed in harm's way, to their children left behind, to Military families and Veterans in financial distress due to unemployment, to Emergency First Responders and to Wounded Warriors recuperating in transition units. The organization's 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. For safety and security, assembling of packages occurs at the Army National Guard armory in Van Nuys, California. Since its inception in 2003, Operation Gratitude volunteers have shipped more than 800,000 packages to American Military members and their children.
02 Apr 2012

Operation Gratitude and Team Rubicon Announce Partnership Supporting First Responders

By Operation Gratitude

Military support charity Operation Gratitude and veteran-focused disaster relief organization Team Rubicon today announced a strategic partnership to send "First Responder Kits" to volunteers assisting with natural disaster and crisis relief efforts world-wide. 

The "First Responder Kits" (FR Kits) will be assembled at the Operation Gratitude Headquarters in Van Nuys, CA and shipped to every Team Rubicon volunteer across the country.  Each FR Kit will contain an assortment of donated items such as batteries; a drawstring backpack; a towel; energy bars; a spork (a combination utensil/tool); heavy work gloves; head lamp; safety glasses; a write-in-the-rain notebook; pens; a Leatherman; a Nalgene water bottle; a Team Rubicon t-shirt and a Paracord "Survival" bracelet hand-made by Operation Gratitude supporters.  

Most of the Team Rubicon volunteers are recent U.S. Military veterans. "We sent care packages and supported these heroic service members while they were deployed overseas in combat zones," says Operation Gratitude founder, Carolyn Blashek. "Now that they are serving our country and the world by assisting with natural disasters and humanitarian relief, we will continue to express our deep appreciation and respect to them through our First Responder Kits." 

Team Rubicon co-founder William McNulty agrees that the partnership between the two organizations makes perfect sense: "Team Rubicon engages U.S. military veterans, many returning home after fighting ten years of war, and offers a renewed sense of purpose for their skills and experiences," he said.  "The FR Kits will provide our volunteers with essential gear as well as morale-boosting encouragement from fellow Americans who are grateful for their continued service."   

As with its other programs, Operation Gratitude will rely on the generosity of the American people -- individuals and corporate sponsors -- to supply, assemble and ship the initial 5,000 FR Kits by the end of June, 2012.  The organization seeks both product donations to fill the FR Kits as well as financial donations to pay assembly and shipping costs of $75,000.  

Item donations may be shipped to:

Operation Gratitude/California Army National Guard
17330 Victory Boulevard
Van Nuys, CA 91406
Attn: First Responder Program

Financial donations are welcome and may be made online: 
https://www.operationgratitude.com/donate/

Or by check payable to Operation Gratitude and mailed to:

Operation Gratitude
16444 Refugio Road
Encino, CA 91436 

In keeping with Operation Gratitude's mission of providing "hands-on" opportunities to say "Thank You" to our nation's heroes, the organization is encouraging supporters all over the country to make Paracord "Survival" Bracelets to include in each First Responder Kit, as well as in the care packages to deployed troops.  More information and instructions can be found here: How to Make a Paracord Bracelet.

About Operation Gratitude

Operation Gratitude annually sends 100,000+ care packages filled with snacks, entertainment items and personal letters of appreciation addressed to individually named U.S. Service Members deployed in harm's way, to their children left behind, to military families and veterans in financial distress due to unemployment, and to Wounded Warriors recuperating in transition units. The organization's 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. For safety and security, assembling of packages occurs at the Army National Guard armory in Van Nuys, California. Since its inception in 2003, Operation Gratitude volunteers have shipped more than 760,000 packages to American Military members and their children.   

Learn more about Operation Gratitude by visiting:

Web: http://OperationGratitude.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/OpGratitude
Facebook: http://facebook.com/OperationGratitude
Blog:          http://OpGrat.wordpress.com
YouTube: http://youtube.com/OpGrat
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/opgratitude

About Team Rubicon
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12 Dec 2011

OPERATION GRATITUDE TO HIT UNPRECEDENTED MILESTONE DECEMBER 17

By Operation Gratitude

Organization Celebrates Shipment of 750,000 Care Packages to Troops

 

Van Nuys, CA, December 6, 2011 -- Operation Gratitude, the non-profit, volunteer-based organization that sends care packages to troops deployed in harm's way, to their children left behind and to Wounded Warriors recuperating in transition units, will have cause for celebration as the 750,000th package rolls off the assembly line on Saturday, December 17, 2011.

Director of Operations, Rich Hernandez, expects the milestone 750,000th package to hit the assembly line around 11:15 a.m., to the cheers of up to 1,000 volunteers, Military members, legislators, and celebrities.

In addition to standard items and personal letters provided by more than 250 Corporate Sponsors and Friends and tens of thousands of individual donors across the country, "The 750,000th Care Package will include Top Secret Surprises generously donated by our Corporate Partners," exclaimed Carolyn Blashek, who started the organization in 2003. A special delivery of the 750,000th Package is being arranged. Six previous Operation Gratitude milestone packages contained the keys to new vehicles. 
OG Group
Military and political dignitaries, along with celebrities and representatives from many of the organization's Corporate Sponsors, will join the Operation Gratitude volunteers to assemble thousands of troop gifts in addition to the 750,000th Care Package. Delicious product samples and a hearty lunch will be provided by Corporate and local business donors.

Media are invited to attend the Milestone Celebration and the Lunch following the ceremony.

WHAT: Operation Gratitude Volunteers assemble the 750,000th Care Package

WHEN: Saturday, December 17, 2011
Care Package Assembly starts at 9 a.m.
The 750,000th Package Assembly and Celebration will occur: 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

WHERE: California National Guard Armory
17330 Victory Boulevard
Van Nuys, CA  91406
Corner of Victory and Louise; parking available on adjacent lot


Volunteers (ages 12 years and older) are welcome to assist in the on-site care package activities.

Financial donations are still needed to help pay the assembly and postage expenses of $15 per package.

Every tax deductible donation of $15 sends another care package, personally addressed to an American hero, and filled with 50+ assorted snack, entertainment and personal care items valued at $100 or more. 

 

Online donations can be made here: Donate. 

Donations by check can be made payable and mailed to:
Operation Gratitude
16444 Refugio Road
Encino, CA 91436

###

About Operation Gratitude

Operation Gratitude annually sends 100,000+ care packages filled with snacks, entertainment items and personal letters of appreciation addressed to individually named U.S. Service Members deployed in harm's way, to their children left behind, and to Wounded Warriors recuperating in transition units. The organization's 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. For safety and security, assembling of packages occurs at the Army National Guard armory in Van Nuys, California. Since its inception in 2003, Operation Gratitude volunteers have shipped more than 725,000 packages to American Military deployed overseas.  The 750,000th package will be assembled on December 17, 2011.

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