Carolyn Blashek is a sort of surrogate mother/wife/friend/family to thousands of soldiers and marines. She started Operation Gratitude to send mail to soldiers who weren’t getting any. It was a way to say thank you and boost morale. Her care packages remind the soldiers that they are indeed part of a family. Some of the goods end up in the hands of Iraqi children fostering a trust that reaps benefits of a magnitude that could never be repaid. Carolyn received the following in an email from a medic (for the complete story read Dennis McCarthy’s article):
“After our patients took the items they wanted, a soldier asked if he could take everything that was left,” the medic wrote.
“Two weeks later, he returned and told us he had taken the boxes out on one of his patrols and given them to a couple of local families.
“These families, in turn, gave out the names and locations of insurgents in the area. Your boxes saved the lives of many soldiers who patrol the streets where these insurgents set up bombs.
“Thank you for all you’ve done for us. You never know how completely you can affect someone’s life.”
Three years and over 150,000 packages later, her organization needs a new home. If you live in the Van Nuys area and have 7,000 to 10,000 square feet of open storage space please contact Carolyn so that Operation Gratitude can continue its important mission. Donations are always welcome. Visit http://www.opgratitude.com/ for more information on their efforts to support the troops.
H/T to Matt at Blackfive
{ 1 comment }
I saw the show on Montel William about all the great things that several people are doing for our troops. I have started colecting batteries and other things. I am a retire grandmother with limited income. I am concerned about the shipping cost. Do you have a program set up with FedNet?
Comments on this entry are closed.