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Operation Gratitude Sets Care Package Record December 13 
Will Send Last Batch of Packages to Reach Troops in Time for Christmas   
Van Nuys, CA - December 10, 2008 - On Saturday, December 13, 2008, Operation Gratitude will reach a record-setting milestone: the shipment of its 400,000th Care Package.  No other Military Support organization in history has sent as many packages addressed to individual service members deployed in combat zones.
 
More than 500 volunteers will form a human Assembly Line starting at 9am to create an additional 12-15,000 Holiday packages during the weekend.  The 400,000th package is expected to hit the Assembly Line between 11:00am-11:30am on Saturday, December 13th.
 
150 Corporate Sponsors were invited to contribute to the 400,000th Care Package; sources say that Mr. S. Claus will personally reveal the special gifts during the Celebration from 11am to 12 Noon.  A special delivery of the 400,000th package to the combat zone is being arranged.  

Three previous Operation Gratitude milestone packages contained the keys to new vehicles.  The 300,000th package was delivered personally in Iraq by Operation Gratitude's founder and Director of Operations.

The winners of the online "Letters to Our Troops" Contest, sponsored by Rogers Family Coffee Company will also be announced and the Grand Prize Winning Letter will be read and placed into the 400,000th package.

 Military and Political dignitaries, along with representatives from many of the organization's Corporate Sponsors will join celebrities and cast members from popular TV shows to assist the Operation Gratitude volunteers assemble thousands of troop gifts, in addition to the 400,000th Care Package.  Fun activities, delicious product samples and a hearty lunch will be provided by Corporate donors.
 
Media and press are invited to attend the Milestone Celebration and the Lunch following the ceremony
 
WHAT:
Operation Gratitude Volunteers assemble the 400,000th Care Package
 
WHEN:
Saturday December 13, 2008: Production starts at 9 a.m.; the 400,000th package assembly and celebration will occur between  11:00 a.m. - 12 Noon
 
Packing will continue from 1-4 p.m. on December 13 and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on December 14th, 2008
 
WHERE:
California National Guard Armory
17330 Victory Boulevard
Van Nuys, Ca. 91406
Corner of Victory and Louise

Volunteers (ages 12 years and older) are welcome to assist in the weekend activities.

Each care package costs $10 to ship; tax-deductible financial donations to Operation Gratitude are welcome online or by check mailed to: Operation Gratitude; 16444 Refugio Road; Encino, CA 91436

For additional information, please visit the www.operationgratitude.com  website, email opgrat@gmail.com  or call the Hotline: 818-909-0039.  
About Operation Gratitude
Operation Gratitude (www.operationgratitude.com ) is the 501 (c) (3) non-profit, volunteer organization that annually sends 100,000+ care packages of items and letters addressed to individually named U.S. Service Members deployed in hostile overseas regions.  Its mission is to lift morale, bring a smile to a service member's face and to express to all troops the appreciation and support of the American people. Since its inception in March, 2003, Operation Gratitude has shipped more than 390,000 packages to American troops deployed overseas.
Operation Gratitude
InfoLine: 818.909.0039