2008 Woodie Awards
Sending Smiles Over Miles
Bringing a little piece of home to those overseas.
Solangel Campos
Issue date: 9/29/04 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Through collection drives, letter-writing campaigns and donations, Operation Gratitude gives people throughout the country a chance to express their appreciation to the troops overseas.
The California Army National Guard in Van Nuys and Operation Gratitude seek to lift troops' morale by sending care packages to service members overseas. These care packages contain food, toiletries, necessities, entertainment items and personal letters of appreciation.
"[Operation Gratitude] is a good idea, it shows community support and national support to our troops," said Valley student David Mohajer.
Operation Gratitude is a non-profit organization funded entirely by private donations and staffed by volunteers. Recently AT&T became the first corporate sponsor of Operation Gratitude. The company contributed 10,000 pre-paid phone cards to be included in care packages, a donation valued at $75,000.
Carolyn Blashek initiated Operation Gratitude after 9/11. She wanted to contribute to the country in some way. She looked into joining the military but found she was too old to volunteer. She then ended up at the Bob Hope USO at Los Angeles Internation Airport. While talking to troops on their way overseas for Operation Iraq Freedom, Blashek realized there was an enormous need for them to feel support from the people back home.
According to Blashek, the greatest thing about Operation Gratitude is the willingness of people throughout the country to show their appreciation.
"It's important that these troops know that people back home support and care for them," explained Blashek.
Blashek started out by obtaining the names of individual troops overseas. Having no contacts with the military, she went up to individual people in her area and asked if they had loved ones overseas. Her idea started catching on as several soldiers who had received items requested additional packages for their buddies. From there, Operation Gratitude took off.
Operation Gratitude has sent more than 21,179 care packages to date. Those interested in donating or volunteering can contact Blashek at cblashek@aol.com.
"If I had the money, I would send a package," said Valley student, Jose Garcia. "It's the humane thing to do."
The California Army National Guard in Van Nuys and Operation Gratitude seek to lift troops' morale by sending care packages to service members overseas. These care packages contain food, toiletries, necessities, entertainment items and personal letters of appreciation.
"[Operation Gratitude] is a good idea, it shows community support and national support to our troops," said Valley student David Mohajer.
Operation Gratitude is a non-profit organization funded entirely by private donations and staffed by volunteers. Recently AT&T became the first corporate sponsor of Operation Gratitude. The company contributed 10,000 pre-paid phone cards to be included in care packages, a donation valued at $75,000.
Carolyn Blashek initiated Operation Gratitude after 9/11. She wanted to contribute to the country in some way. She looked into joining the military but found she was too old to volunteer. She then ended up at the Bob Hope USO at Los Angeles Internation Airport. While talking to troops on their way overseas for Operation Iraq Freedom, Blashek realized there was an enormous need for them to feel support from the people back home.
According to Blashek, the greatest thing about Operation Gratitude is the willingness of people throughout the country to show their appreciation.
"It's important that these troops know that people back home support and care for them," explained Blashek.
Blashek started out by obtaining the names of individual troops overseas. Having no contacts with the military, she went up to individual people in her area and asked if they had loved ones overseas. Her idea started catching on as several soldiers who had received items requested additional packages for their buddies. From there, Operation Gratitude took off.
Operation Gratitude has sent more than 21,179 care packages to date. Those interested in donating or volunteering can contact Blashek at cblashek@aol.com.
"If I had the money, I would send a package," said Valley student, Jose Garcia. "It's the humane thing to do."
