OPERATION GRATITUDE TO SEND 25,000 CARE PACKAGES TO DEPLOYED TROOPS DURING PATRIOTIC DRIVE

Operation Gratitude ^ | April 22, 2005 | Carolyn Blashek Operation Gratitude

[airedale]

For Immediate Release
Contact: Carolyn Blashek
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cblashek@aol.com
April 22,2005
To volunteer contact: pennyalfonso@yahoo.com

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 ( www.opgratitude.com ) 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

Press Conference: May 27, 2005 at 12:00 p.m.

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, House of Batteries and Tapatio Hot Sauce. 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.

[airedale]

It's a lot of fun and it really does great work supporting the troops. Put your time and money where your words are and if you can volunteer or donate things to them please do so. Go to their website and see what items they can use and for more information on this fine grassroots non political organization. Also they can use donation of money. They send the individual packages by express mail to insure that they get to the individual soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen quickly. Postage and packing tape are their major expenditures when you are sending 25,000 packages twice a year. They have no paid staff or positions. If you want to see their 990's (Federal Income Tax forms required of all 501(c)(3) organizations they are available at Guide Star http://www.guidestar.org You'll need to register but it's free. This gives you documented financial information on the organization. If you are donating money to any 501(c)3 be sure to check Guide Star before you do. Charities which aren't required to file 990's with the IRS like religious organizations won't be listed

I did cut Carolyn's phone numbers from this

[Simmy2.5]

You might be intersted in this.

[ajolympian2004]

Letter that I sent to Clif Bar Inc. from their website:

http://www.clifbar.com/connect/contact.cfm#feedback

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Hello,

Is there anyway that Clif Bar Inc. can help out with this effort to support our troops over the upcoming Memorial Day weekend? See this link for all the details:

http://www.opgratitude.com/website2/ (Look for the 'Patriotic Drive' link for May 27-30 or visit this link below)

http://www.opgratitude.com/pdf/newsletter.pdf

The press release with contact info has also been posted here:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1395634/posts

I like to see the men and women in our military receive something nutritious and energetic as Clif Bars and sampling of your other fine products. Based on personal experience the shelf life and stability of Clif products will be an excellent match for the conditions that our military experiences in the field each and every day.

thanks,

Tony in Boulder, Colorado

[Bellflower]

a bttt ping

[Jackson57]

Great idea!! I'm a marathoner and Clif is my energy bar and gel of choice. If they could donate Clif Shots they would be very helpful. I even keep a couple in my ski jacket when I'm doing winter sports. I hope they respond favorably.

[ajolympian2004]

Great idea!! I'm a marathoner and Clif is my energy bar and gel of choice. If they could donate Clif Shots they would be very helpful. I even keep a couple in my ski jacket when I'm doing winter sports. I hope they respond favorably.

Plus a majority of the soldiers in our military will become future customers for Clif Bar Inc. with all their fine products. It's a win-win scenario for the company and the outstanding men and women of our USA military.