Operation Gratitude

Operation Gratitude is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, volunteer-based organization that 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 hostile regions, to their children left behind and to Veterans, First Responders, Wounded Warriors and their Care Givers. Each package contains donated product valued at ~$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 1,000,000 packages to American Military members and their children.

Mission Statement

Operation Gratitude seeks to lift 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.[1]

History

After the 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, founder Carolyn Blashek felt the need to serve the country and its defenders. Starting from her house in California, the charity now encompasses churches, schools, businesses and service groups all over the country donating items and writing letters to service members through Operation Gratitude.

Since November 2003, Operation Gratitude has conducted its Assembly Drives in the California Army National Guard Armory in Van Nuys, California.

Blashek and Director of Operations Charlie Othold personally delivered the 300,000th care package to Iraq in January, 2008.

U.S. Marine Corps Commandant General James Amos personally delivered the 600,000th package on Christmas Day, 2010 in Sangin, Afghanistan.

Blashek and Board Members Marty Martin and Sue Pollard delivered the 1,000,000th care package to the USS Harry H. Truman in December, 2014.[2]

Veterans and Wounded Warrior Care Package Program

Operation Gratitude works with representatives at Veterans organizations, Military hospitals and Wounded Warrior Transition Units to provide care packages for Wounded Warriors/Veterans .

Battalion Buddy Program

In cooperation with Family Readiness Officers and battalion leaders nationwide, Operation Gratitude provides special stuffed toys – known as Battalion Buddies – to the sons and daughters of U.S. military personnel as their units prepare to deploy.

Paracord Bracelets

In 2011, volunteer Tristin Hagen introduced the paracord bracelet program to Operation Gratitude. The bracelets, which are now sent in the care packages, are made out of parachute cord. Also known as survival bracelets, they can be untied and used to hold items together, stitch up a wound, to make a tourniquet, a sling, fishing line, and many other uses. Using wooden jigs created by her boyfriend, who is currently an officer in the National Guard, volunteers now make the paracord bracelets either from home or on assembly days.[3]

Demographics of Population Served

The demographics of Operation Gratitude recipients mirror the overall makeup of our Armed Forces, which in turn closely reflect the American population. The 2008 published survey results: African-American: 12% Asian: 3% Caucasian: 65% Hispanic: 13% Native American: 2% Other (describe): 5% Declined to Specify The gender demographics of our recipients also reflect the overall makeup of our Armed Forces, which is approximately 85% male and 15% female. The organization sends a care package to every deployed service member whose name is received.[4]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.operationgratitude.com/about-us/mission-statement-facts/
  2. ↑ http://opgrat.wordpress.com/2013/12/19/mission-accomplished-one-millionth-care-package-delivered/
  3. ↑ http://opgrat.wordpress.com/2013/01/10/wanted-volunteers-to-make-paracord-survival-bracelets/
  4. ↑ http://www.operationgratitude.com/about-us/mission-statement-facts/

External links