Support Still Critical to Troop Mission and Morale

Sept. 7, 2010 - PRLog -- Van Nuys, CA. (September 7, 2010) - Operation Iraqi Freedom has officially transitioned to Operation New Dawn.  Yet, 50,000 Soldiers remain in combat-ready mode in Iraq, 100,000 troops are currently deployed in the Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan combat zone, and tens of thousands more are serving in the Persian Gulf, Kosovo, Bosnia, Africa, the Middle East and other hot spots around the world.  

Operation Gratitude, a non-profit, volunteer-based military support organization, continues to support the hundreds of thousands of military men and women deployed in harm's way.  The public's participation is needed more than ever to help send care packages filled with respect and appreciation.

"Thousands of miles away in hostile territory and cut off from the comforts and communication we all take for granted, our troops often feel that Americans at home no longer remember or care about them," said Carolyn Blashek, founder of Operation Gratitude.  "As the war in Afghanistan surges into its 10th year, and U.S. Soldiers continue to face down an enemy in Iraq, we need to reassure our Military that they are not forgotten, especially during the most difficult time of year away from loved ones: The Holidays."

There are many ways the public can help. The most urgent needs are financial donations to pay for postage, personal letters, hand-made scarves, and Beanie Babies/WebKinz/Trolls.  Service members give the stuffed animals to the local children, who in turn provide information on where IED's (bombs) are hidden. As one stated: "Not only are you putting smiles on our faces, you are saving our lives."

For information on planning fundraisers and other ideas, supporters should check and "Like" the Facebook pages: http://www.facebook.com/OperationGratitude and http://www.facebook.com/HalloweenCandy, visit the Website at http://www.OpGratitude.com and/or email opgrat@gmail.com.

Each package is addressed to an individual Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine by name.  Every donation of $15 sends another package containing over 50 items of snack foods, entertainment products, toiletries and personal letters of appreciation that put smiles on our troops'  faces.  

*The contents of a typical Operation Gratitude care package include:
The U.S. Constitution
3-5 Personal Letters plus the Operation Gratitude Greeting Card
The Operation Gratitude Magazine
UFC Fight DVD
TV/Movie DVD and a Musical CD
Box of Girl Scout Cookies
Hand Made Scarf
Beanie Baby
Deck of Cards
Bag of Beef Jerky
Cough Drops
Sunscreen
Toothbrush, toothpaste, Mouthwash
Deodorant
Motorcycle/Auto Magazine
Lip Balm
Several Assorted Candies, Fruit Roll Ups
Emergen-C Packets
Coffee                                                                              
Energy Drinks
Power Bars
Pack of Greeting Cards, Pens
Pistachio Nuts
T-shirt or Baseball Cap
Tins of Mints
Packs of Gum
Skin Care Products
Cereal
Deck of Sports Cards
Batteries
Laundry Detergent
Hand Sanitizer; Wipes
Body or Hand Warmers
Beer Nuts
Foot Care Products

*A full listing of Corporate Friends and Sponsors is on website.

Visit:  
www.OperationGratitude.com
www.facebook.com/OperationGratitude
www.twitter.com/OpGratitude
www.facebook.com/HalloweenCandy


About Operation Gratitude
Operation Gratitude (www.OperationGratitude.com) is the 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 individual U.S. Service Members deployed in harm's way.  Our mission is to lift morale, bring a smile to a service member's face and express to our Armed Forces the appreciation and support of the American people. Each package contains donated product valued at ~$125 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, CA. Since its inception in 2003, Operation Gratitude volunteers have shipped more than 560,000 packages to American Military deployed overseas.  The 600,000th package will be shipped on December 11, 2010.

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Non-profit, volunteer organization that annually sends 100,000+ care packages filled with snacks, entertainment items and personal letters of appreciation addressed to individual U.S. Service Members deployed in combat. Mission: Lift morale & say thanks