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SUMMER NEWSLETTER |
July, 2009 |
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Greetings!
I received this email today:
"Thank you so much for the packages from your team. It was like Christmas in July!!! Everyone thought these were the best packages ever. The thumb drives, movies, games, cd's, candy, everything was a hit. I passed on your info to some other divisions since they were jealous!!! Thanks again for this terrific program!!!!
Blessings, IT1(SW) S.T."
I hope you are enjoying a wonderful and restful summer! Hot as it may be outside, I urge you to "Think Winter Cold," and start creating toasty warm scarves and caps for the 2009 Operation Gratitude Holiday Drive--as described more fully in this Newsletter.
Last winter, we sent ~10,000 scarves and hats to grateful--and chilly--service members deployed overseas (yes, it DOES get cold there in the winter--especially in Afghanistan). I want to vastly increase that number so we can include one in every 2009 Holiday Package!
We are also looking for small plush animals (such as Beanie Babies) and lots of personal letters again this year. These are just a few of the fun and hands-on ways you can help Operation Gratitude this summer and year-round. Check out this Newsletter and: How You Can Help for more ideas.
As ever, I thank you for your kindness and support.
Love,
Carolyn Blashek |
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A Letter from a Grateful Soldier
For years Staff Sergeant Elizabeth Cowie was our Operation Gratitude Military Liaison at the Van Nuys Armory...until she deployed to Iraq. Of course we sent the Sarge a care package--and a scarf-- and when she safely arrived home she sent this letter to Scarf Project Coordinator, Sharon Howard:
PLEASE share with your knitters how much my scarf meant to me. . . . I wore it everyday for about a month while it was really cold then as it warmed up I still wore it around my neck, such as in the picture. . .and it gave me a great feeling of "home" as I knew that someone took the time to make that!! There were times when I would get homesick and on went the scarf!! Each soldier has their item that brings them comfort - mine was the scarf!! May sound silly but when so far away from home its the smallest of things that can give us a smile and help us get through it all. When someone asked about the scarf of course I told them that it was in my box and it was my comfort item . . and then it would turn into a whole conversation about what each other's comfort items were and the stories behind them. Everyone got such a kick out of it when I wore my scarf out and about, and when the big bosses asked me about it I told them I was trying out a new Army Fashion Accessory . . . lol!
When the temps went up and the scarf was no longer needed I kept it folded neatly on the corner of my desk. . .as my reminder of home and all the great things and great people!!
And I wore my scarf just the other day now that I am at home, and it made me smile just as much as the first time I put it on . . .something so simple!!
MANY THANKS TO ALL YOUR KNITTERS, SHARON!!!
Hugs and much Love
Liz |
2009 HOLIDAY DRIVE SCARVES & HATS:
I hope SSG Cowie's letter inspires you to pick up those knitting needles and crochet hooks to  ensure that our upcoming Holiday Drive is the most successful yet! Our goal is to include a scarf or cap inside each of the 60,000 care packages we plan to send this winter! To do so, we will need everyone's help--not just by knitting and crocheting, but in spreading the word as well.
KNITTING/CROCHETING REQUIREMENTS:
Any pattern may be used, but we recommend keeping the scarves and caps very simple! A basic stitch with a soft yarn and a subtle color is perfect. To ensure your scarf will fit in our package, please adhere to these measurements as closely as possible: 5-7" across and no more than 50" long.
WHERE AND WHEN TO SEND:
Please send your scarves and caps between September 8th--December 5th to: Operation Gratitude/California Army National Guard
17330 Victory Blvd.
Van Nuys, CA 91406
Attn: Charlie Othold/Scarves
Please mark the box "Scarves" so it will go directly to Sharon Howard, Scarf Project Coordinator.
Have questions or need help? Check this link: Scarves or contact Sharon  Howard at sharhoward39@gmail.com.
Sharon extends her thanks to each of you in advance for your help and support! |
MORE WAYS YOU CAN HELP THIS SUMMER
In addition to making as many scarves and/or caps that you possibly can in the next few months, please also help us spread our Scarf Project message--through the internet, Facebook, Twitter, magazines, yarn stores, etc! If you know any knitting or crocheting groups, blogs or newsletters, please contact them about our Scarf Project and ask for their participation and PR support.
We are always in need of small Plush Animals (like Beanie Babies), Girl Scout Cookies, and personal letters from students and adults!
WANT AN OPERATION GRATITUDE T-SHIRT like the ones you see in the Volunteer pictures? The shirts come in various colors (pink, sand, military green, navy, and gray), all with the Operation Gratitude "racing logo" on front; sizes vary by color. T-shirts are $25 and sweatshirts are $35 (postage included). Contact sharhoward@gmail.com to order yours!
For more Operation Gratitude logo items, visit our On-Line Store...and stay tuned for the opening of our all-new Holiday Store in the Fall with great gift items for all your holiday shopping needs.
All of your efforts will help us fill and send our care packages to more than 100,000 troops this year! |
 DONATE FINANCIALLY
Each Operation Gratitude package (of donated items valued at $100) costs us $11 to send; monetary donations go toward the overall shipping expenses required to send the care packages. A donation of $55.00 will pay for 5 packages; $110 will cover 10 packages; $1100 will send 100 packages; $5500.00 will enable 500 troops to receive your expression of gratitude and support!
Your donation of any amount will be greatly appreciated. Operation Gratitude is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization; all donations are tax deductible as provided by law.
If you would like to make a donation in someone's honor or memory, please include the name and address of the person you would like notified (in the designated form field if donating online or on a note if sending a check) and we will mail a beautiful tribute letter to them; donors will receive a letter of acknowledgment for tax purposes.
Please send checks made payable to Operation Gratitude to:
Operation Gratitude
16444 Refugio Road
Encino, California 91436
To make a donation online, please click here: Simple Give or on the Donate Button:
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 Stay Tuned...
....For lots of exciting news and events for Operation Gratitude this year, including:
1. The Benefit Screening of "Brothers at War" (HURRY-tickets still available for July 17th!), with Q&A by Director Jake Rademacher and Producer Norman Powell at the Alex Theatre, Glendale, CA 2. Roll-out of our new Website!
3. Surprise Announcements about our 500,000th Care Package in December!
To stay current with our activities, check out our Facebook page, follow us on "Twitter" and view new videos on the Operation Gratitude YouTube Channel
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!
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