Operation Gratitude has been a favorite non-profit of mine since I learned about it in 2005. My children and I have sponsored Christmas card/letter drives in our neighborhood and schools for inclusion in the care packages that the organization sends to deployed members of the U.S. military. They also accept donations as detailed on the
Operation Gratitude website. This year, the organization will deliver its
500,000th package to a special service member. Here is the mission statement of this dynamic organization:
Tens of thousands of American Service Members are deployed in hostile and remote regions of the world, including the Middle East, Afghanistan, and on ships throughout international waters. The physical conditions they must endure are difficult and they may be separated from loved ones for long periods of time.
Operation Gratitude seeks to lift morale and put smiles on faces by sending care packages addressed to individual Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines deployed overseas. Operation Gratitude care packages contain food, hygiene products, entertainment items and personal letters of appreciation, all wrapped with good wishes of love and support.
Through Collection Drives, Letter Writing Campaigns and Donations of funds for shipping expenses, Operation Gratitude provides civilians anywhere in America a way to express their respect and appreciation to the men and women of the U.S. Military in an active, hands-on manner.
Operation Gratitude is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, volunteer corporation, funded entirely by private donations. For safety and security, the assembling of all packages occurs at the Army National Guard Armory in Van Nuys, California.
Covering the shipping costs for all these packages is a constant struggle. If you want to do something special to show your support for the men and women of our armed forces who are away from home this holiday season, consider making a tax-deductible donation to Operation Gratitude.
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