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OPERATION GRATITUDE TO SEND 25,000 CARE PACKAGES TO DEPLOYED TROOPS DURING PATRIOTIC DRIVE
Encino, Cal. - Over Memorial Day Weekend, Operation Gratitude, a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization, will conduct its Patriotic Drive, assembling over 25,000 care packages that will be sent to deployed troops for delivery around July 4th. Operation Gratitude's mission is to put a smile on a service member's face, lift morale, and express the appreciation of the American people for the sacrifices of the men and women defending our freedom. To date, Operation Gratitude has sent almost 45,000 care packages to individual troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Bosnia, Korea, Kosovo and onto ships all over the world.
Operation Gratitude, together with the California Army National Guard, 746th QM BN and hundreds of volunteers, will assemble and ship more than 25,000 Patriotic Care Packages of assorted snacks, Girl Scout Cookies, DVDs, CDs, games, Beanie Babies, t-shirts, toiletries and personal letters of support.
WHAT: Operation Gratitude Patriotic Drive
WHEN: Care Package Assembly: May 27-30, 2005, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily
WHERE: California Army National Guard Armory
17330 Victory Boulevard
Van Nuys, California 91406
Corner of Victory and Louise
All products for the packages have been donated by individuals, organizations, schools, community groups, businesses and Corporate Sponsors, including Jeep, Oceanspray Cranberries, Inc., Big Dog, S.F.Bay Gourmet Coffee, Sunkist, Newman's Own, Mars Candy, Oberto's Sausage, Coppertone and House of Batteries. Shipping expenses of ~$15/package are covered by tax deductible financial donations from citizens all over the country and from Corporate Sponsors including Covey Run and Turner Road Wineries.
Operation Gratitude obtains the names of the troops from their loved ones or from comrades who previously received a package. The vast majority of names are provided by commanders and leaders in the field who have seen first-hand the positive impact of the program on the morale of their Soldiers, Marines, Airmen and Sailors. Operation Gratitude has recently expanded its program to send packages to wounded troops in long-term convalescence in stateside hospitals as well.
WHAT THE TROOPS SAY:
"I know you are not afforded the opportunity to see the happiness on the faces of those that receive gift packages, but I can tell you first hand that the smiles light up the darkest corners of Iraq." GySgt C.M."The very idea that you care enough to take time to put this together for a soldier is the reason behind my serving. I truly appreciate your support and well wishes. The joy of receiving a package and finding all of those wonderful suprises inside brightened my day entirely. Thank you very much for your support." CPT P.W.
"I am at the dusk of my military career. I will head home soon to retire. Other than the "any servicemember" mail that I once received years back, this is the only time that I have felt truly appreciated for my military service. The package that you and all the volunteers sent truly lifted my spirits." SFC E.G.
