Posted on 06/09/2005 6:44:48 PM PDT by La Enchiladita
Van Nuys, Cal. - Over Memorial Day Weekend, Operation Gratitude's 1500 volunteers kicked off their Patriotic Drive, assembling and shipping almost 20,000 care packages to deployed troops. With round-the-clock service by the U.S. Postal Service, the first packages have already arrived in several of the deployment zones--a record-setting 7 days!
A proud member of the United States Air Force serving in a deployed location in the war on terrorism wrote:
"I just received a wonderful box of love from Operation Gratitude. I want to express my appreciation for this incredible surprise blessing. Your thoughts, prayers and warm wishes are greatly appreciated and heart felt. It gives me great honor to serve the greatest nation in the world. It is people like those with Operation Gratitude that make my serving over the last 18 years worth while. Again, thank you for serving your men and women in uniform. V/r MSgt D.M.
P.S. Please know that it has been years since I have eaten Lemon Coolers (Girl Scout cookies) and I enjoyed them to the fullest.
During the weekend of June 18-19, Operation Gratitude, together with the California Army National Guard, 746th QM BN and hundreds of volunteers, will continue to assemble and ship additional Patriotic Care Packages of assorted snacks, DVDs, CDs, games, Beanie Babies, t-shirts, mini-fans, phone cards and personal letters of support.
WHAT: Operation Gratitude Patriotic Drive
WHEN: Care Package Assembly: June 18-19, 2005, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 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 are donated by individuals, organizations, Girl Scout Troops, schools, community groups, businesses and Corporate Sponsors. Shipping expenses of ~$15/package are covered by tax deductible financial donations from citizens and businesses all over the country.
(Excerpt) Read more at opgratitude.com ...
Additional items from the Wish List* are needed to fill the remaining 5-8000 care packages.
Operation Gratitude's ( www.operationgratitude.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 65,000 care packages to individual troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Bosnia, Korea, Kosovo and onto ships all over the world.
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. Additional troop letters can be found in the Mail Call section of the www.operationgratitude.com website.
*Wish List:
DVDs and CDs
Disposable Cameras
Handheld games
Commercially wrapped individual packets of Trail Mix, Beef Jerky, Nuts, Energy Bars, Sunflower Seeds, Candy
Ready To Eat Tuna or Chicken Salad kits
Packets of Powdered Hot and Cold Beverages
Personal Cooling Products: Bandana Coolers/Cool-Ties, Battery Operated Fans
Commercially sealed Lip Balm
Individual packets of moist towelettes
Novelty Items, Beanie Babies, Yo-Yos, etc.
Screenprinted T-shirts
Baseball Style Caps
Travel Size containers of Foot Powder
Tobacco Products
Unsealed personal cards and letters
Used Cell Phones for recycling
YES!!!!!!!!
Thank you La Enchiladita! Thank you CA volunteers!!!
Thank you bump
Looks like another great organization. I use Any Soldier . com. Our little family has sent out over 100 boxes and still counting. What can I say? It's addicting! :)
I KNOW what you're talking about!! ;-]
Bump
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1346573/posts
Cool! And helped out here at UCR during our Support the Troops Week! Nice to be a part of this!
FOURTH OF JULY PACKAGES are being packed and sent today and tomorrow. Diamondhead, iceskater, airborne, Coop, mathluv, and patriciaruth are leading the pack.
ping
That's great you have a Support the Troops week out there! Awesome!
There are tons (literally!) of troop supporters here at FR. And troops, too! It's most exciting when one of our soldiers posts from a war torn duty station.
In this case, I wanted people to know what Operation Gratitude is doing here in southern California in case they'd like to join the effort in person. It's quite an experience to be at the armory with dozens of other volunteers putting packages together. And some folks might have just the kind of stuff we're looking for to put in the next round of boxes.
There's room for all of us here at FR, isn't there?
Absolutely!!
When it comes to our troops, there can't be too much support!
Keep up the great work!
I'm always heartened to hear about other group of troop supporters and what they are doing sending care packages.
I know our group (Merry Band of Patriots) is only a drop in the bucket, and I am grateful for every other drop there.
We're mailing out a bunch of stuff tomorrow for the 4th of July, but only to 5 units.
However, we continue here as guests of Jim Robinson (this is his website); and he is the one who decides if there is room for any particular group or supporter.
I wish you the best!
Absolutely. Thanks, airborne, and you keep up the good work too. It's not all that hard, compared to what our troops are doing for us.
I see, I see! What an awesome young warrior! I send a good ol' USA hug to your pride and joy! I honor both of you, it can't be easy but it CAN BE DONE. God bless you both. Thank you so MUCH for sending the photo. That's just the person we want to see smiling. That's him!
The unexpected package is often times the most inspirational.
Keep up the noble work!
Bump for troop support! Great job! :)
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