Article from Air Force Times

November 4, 2006 on 10:43 am | In Articles, Support Our Troops |

November 03, 2006Operation Gratitude preps for another holiday giveout

Operation Gratitude is gearing up for its fourth annual drive to send holiday packages to deployed troops.The group expects to mail more than 50,000 care packages, with the first of four “assembly weekends” scheduled for Nov. 11-12 at the California National Guard Armory in Van Nuys, Calif. The remaining three weekends, also in Van Nuys, are Nov. 24-25, Dec. 16-17 and Dec. 30-31.

Volunteers will stuff the care packages with computer flash drives, sports calling cards, DVDs and CDs, candy, gum, cough drops, cookies, hand warmers, skin care products, coffee and flavorings, greeting cards, batteries, energy drinks, t-shirts, socks and snacks, according to Operation Gratitude founder Carolyn Blashek.

The items are donated by individuals, organizations, schools, community groups, businesses and corporate sponsors. But the overall cost of mailing, $10 to $15 per package, is covered by donations from citizens across the country.

The nonprofit organization gets names of troops from their family members, or from other troops who have received packages. But most of the names are provided by commanders and leaders in the field or on ships at sea, who have seen the impact the packages have on the morale of soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines, Blashek said.

 

— Karen Jowers

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