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Operation Gratitude Inc

Cause Area

  • Veterans & Military Families

Location

9409 Owensmouth AveENCINO, CA 91426 United States

Organization Information

Mission Statement

Honor the service of our Military and First Responders by creating opportunities to express gratitude.

Description

After 9-11, founder Carolyn Blashek was compelled to join the military to serve our Country. Past the age of enlistment, she began volunteering at a military lounge at the Los Angeles International Airport. In March 2003, a service member came into the office and broke down at her desk. He was on leave from a war zone for his mother’s funeral, his wife had left him, and his only child had died as an infant-he had no one else in his life.

"I’m going back over there; I know I won’t make it back this time, but it really doesn’t matter because no one would even care," he told her. Right then, Blashek realized that when bullets are flying, troops must believe that someone at home cares about them as an individual. That’s when Operation Gratitude was born.

While this grassroots movement started in Blashek’s living room, it now encompasses Americans all over the country donating items and writing letters to all who serve.

Today, Operation Gratitude has sent over 3.5 million Care Packages around the world with the help of grateful Americans like you.

Reviews

Would you recommend Operation Gratitude Inc?
3 reviews Write a review
by Alexis O. (2014-11-09 20:16:13.0)
This event was so much fun! we got there early to set up the booth and Jack kept me laughing the entire time. I manned the booth during the event which included getting people excited about writing letters to our troops as well as taking the donations and selling merchandise. The only tough part was the overwhelming emotions coming from people who have loved ones who served. Hearing their touching stories made working the event that much more fulfilling and memorable.
by Jean S. from Flushing, NY (2014-07-10 20:26:54.0)
This organization has been very helpful and useful. It truly allows you to learn and help others from this great experience. I can also see that this organization is passionate for what they do. I would definitely volunteer again and recommend to a friend.
by EJ S. from Los Angeles, CA (2011-04-26 23:08:34.0)
This is an excellent operation; the service they provide to our service members is fantastic. Right now they need lots of help for the upcoming shipment to our heroes.

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