Operation Gratitude
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| Founded | 2003 |
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| Founder | Carolyn Blashek |
| Focus | Military, Veterans, First Responders, Volunteerism |
| Location |
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Volunteers
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58,713 |
| Slogan | To say "Thank You" to all who serve. |
| Website | www.operationgratitude.com |
Operation Gratitude is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, volunteer-based organization that sends care packages to the Military and First Responder Communities. The organization's mission is to say "Thank You" and express the appreciation of the American people to all who serve. Each package contains donated product valued from $50-$100 and costs the organization $15 to assemble and ship. Since its inception in 2003, Operation Gratitude volunteers have shipped more than 1.5 Million care packages.
Contents
- 1 Mission Statement
- 2 History
- 3 Deployed Troop Program
- 4 Veterans Care Package Program
- 5 Battalion Buddy Program
- 6 New Recruit Program
- 7 First Responder Program
- 8 Wounded Hero Program
- 9 Military Family and Disaster Relief Program
- 10 Paracord Bracelets
- 11 Halloween Candy Give-Back
- 12 Hand-Made with Love
- 13 Cents for Service
- 14 Letter Writing
- 15 Financial information
- 16 References
- 17 External links
Mission Statement
Operation Gratitude seeks to lift spirits and meet the evolving needs of the U.S. Military and First Responder communities, and provide volunteer opportunities for Americans to express their appreciation to all who serve our nation. Every year, Operation Gratitude sends 250,000+ individually addressed care packages to Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines deployed overseas, to their children left behind, and to New Recruits, Veterans, First Responders, Wounded Heroes and their Care Givers. Each package contains food, hygiene products, entertainment and handmade items, as well as personal letters of support.
Through Collection Drives, Letter Writing Campaigns, Craft Projects and Care Package Assembly Events, Operation Gratitude provides civilians anywhere in America a way to say "Thank You" through active, hands-on Volunteerism.[1]
History
After the 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, founder Carolyn Blashek felt the need to serve the country and its defenders. While this grassroots movement started at Blashek's dining room table, it now encompasses Americans all over the country who donate items, knit scarves, assemble hygiene kits, weave survival bracelets and write letters to deployed Service Members, New Recruits, Wounded Heroes, First Responders and Veterans.
In January, 2008, Blashek and then-Director of Operations, Charlie Othold, personally delivered the 300,000th care package to a Soldier deployed in Iraq.
U.S. Marine Corps Commandant General James Amos personally delivered the 600,000th package on Christmas Day, 2010 in Sangin, Afghanistan.
In December, 2013, Blashek and Board Members Marty Martin and Sue Pollard delivered the 1 Millionth care package to a Sailor aboard USS Gettysburg, deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.[2]
On April 16, 2016, volunteers in Chatsworth, California, assembled the 1.5 Millionth care package for a member of law enforcement.
Deployed Troop Program
Volunteers assemble and ship the hallmark Operation Gratitude Care Packages to deployed Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines, each package personally addressed by name. [3]
Veterans Care Package Program
Operation Gratitude coordinates with VA Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Veterans’ Groups & Homeless Veterans Support Organizations to provide care packages for Veterans of all generations to let them know they are never forgotten and because "It is never too late to say, 'Thank You.'" [4]
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.[5]
New Recruit Program
This program thanks our newest members of the Military for stepping forward and devoting the next several years of their life in service to our nation by presenting a Care Package to them at Graduation Day from Boot Camp. [6]
First Responder Program
Essential supplies are assembled into easily transportable kits, and provided to emergency response teams who serve our nation on the frontlines here at home: Law enforcement, firefighters and emergency medical technicians. [7]
Wounded Hero Program
Our "Purple Heart" Care Packages provide comfort items to troops recovering in Military Hospitals and Wounded Warrior Transition Units.[8]
Military Family and Disaster Relief Program
Disaster Relief Supplies and basic necessities, including food, toiletries, household products, blankets and clothing are given to Military families and Veterans facing financial hardships and homelessness due to catastrophe, unemployment, PTSD, illness or injury.[9]
Paracord Bracelets
Volunteers across the nation weave these "quick-release" paracord survival bracelets for inclusion in the Deployed Troop, New Recruit and First Responder care packages. Made out of 550 parachute cord, the bracelets can be unraveled and used for a variety of emergency purposes, such as to hold items together, stitch up a wound, or make a tourniquet or sling. In 2015, volunteers made and shipped more than 88,000 quick-release paracord survival bracelets.[10]
Halloween Candy Give-Back
All across the country, children donate candy in the annual Halloween Candy Give-back program. In 2015, more than 294 TONS of candy were donated to Operation Gratitude for distribution through its care package programs.
Hand-Made with Love
Knitters and crocheters lovingly hand-craft scarves and hats to keep heroes warm in the cooler months. In 2015, crafters donated 47,226 hand-made scarves and hats, reflecting hundreds of thousands of volunteer hours. [12]
Cents for Service
Inspired by the success of two fifth grade students who raised over $1,800, volunteers of all ages collect cents (or dollars!) as a fundraiser to help offset the $15/package cost to Operation Gratitude of assembling and shipping care packages. Cents for Service collections can take place at a store, as part of a larger event or as its own initiative.[13]
Letter Writing
Individuals and groups write letters to their heroes to express appreciation for their service. Four to five personal letters are included in each of the 250,000+ care packages sent annually.[14]
Financial information
Operation Gratitude annually conducts an independent audit of its financial affairs. As a military support charity, the organization believes in complete transparency to those who choose to support troops and veterans. To that end, the IRS Form 990, financial statements and independent audit are posted on the website each year (the last six years are online; prior years available on request). Operation Gratitude’s management, administrative and fundraising expenses account for less than 5% of the overall budget.
Operation Gratitude received a 5-Star rating and earned GuideStar's Platinum status, demonstrating commitment to transparency.[15] Operation Gratitude is a California corporation, granted 501(c)(3) exempt status by the IRS, and recognized as a charitable organization by the California Franchise Tax Board.
References
- ↑ http://www.operationgratitude.com/about-us/mission-statement-facts/
- ↑ http://opgrat.wordpress.com/2013/12/19/mission-accomplished-one-millionth-care-package-delivered/
- ↑ http://www.operationgratitude.com/
- ↑ https://opgrat.wordpress.com/2012/08/10/thanking-veterans-for-their-service/
- ↑ https://opgrat.wordpress.com/2011/07/21/battalion-buddy-program-sends-20000-hugs/
- ↑ https://opgrat.wordpress.com/2014/12/15/new-recruit-care-packages-thank-troops-from-day-one/
- ↑ https://opgrat.wordpress.com/2012/03/31/partnering-with-heroes-to-support-heroes/
- ↑ https://opgrat.wordpress.com/2011/02/03/operation-gratitude-wounded-warrior-care-package-program/
- ↑ https://opgrat.wordpress.com/2012/02/20/doing-what-we-can-to-help-our-heroes-and-their-families/
- ↑ http://opgrat.wordpress.com/2013/01/10/wanted-volunteers-to-make-paracord-survival-bracelets/
- ↑ https://opgrat.wordpress.com/2013/07/18/halloween-candy-for-the-troops/
- ↑ https://opgrat.wordpress.com/2014/01/17/scarves-for-troops/
- ↑ https://opgrat.wordpress.com/2016/01/14/every-penny-counts/
- ↑ https://www.operationgratitude.com/writeletters/
- ↑ http://www.guidestar.org/profile/20-0103575
External links
- Operation Gratitude - Official site
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