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Posted on July 2, 2008 - 21:15 PM |
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Operation Gratitude and Chrysler LLC Deliver Customized Vehicle
to Soldier Upon Return Home from Iraq Deployment
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In front of 4,000 soldiers of the 4th Stryker Brigade in Ft. Lewis, Washington, Army Corporal (Cpl.) Michael "Shaun" Gallagher took possession of the vehicle promised to him in the Operation Gratitude care package he received last January: An all-new, custom-painted 2008 Jeep® Liberty. The vehicle was provided to him by Chrysler LLC in partnership with Operation Gratitude, and includes a custom-painted mural that honors the fallen warriors from Gallagher's unit. 
The presentation was the culmination of Operation Gratitude's 300,000th care package celebration, which started on December 15, 2007 with the assembly of the 300,000th package at Operation Gratitude's facility in Van Nuys, CA, continued with the January, 2008 personal delivery by Operation Gratitude representatives of that package to (then) Spc. Gallagher in Iraq, and was concluded on July 1 with the emotional presentation of the vehicle just prior to the redeployment ceremony marking the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division brigade's return from their Iraq deployment.
Frank Fountain, Senior Vice President, External Affairs and Public Policy - Chrysler LLC delivered the vehicle along with Carolyn Blashek, Founder of Operation Gratitude, who was accompanied by several Operation Gratitude volunteers and three Washington State Gold Star mothers.
"Our Armed Forces are making incredible sacrifices every day to protect our freedom and way of life," said Fountain. "Providing Cpl. Gallagher with an all-new Jeep Liberty vehicle is the least we could do to thank him for his courage and service to our country."
Upon receiving the vehicle keys in his Operation Gratitude package delivered in Iraq almost 6 months ago, (then) Spc. Gallagher expressed his plan to personalize the vehicle with a tribute to the fallen soldiers from his unit, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team. To surprise him during the July 1 presentation, Gallagher's family, Operation Gratitude and Chrysler arranged to have the memorial painted while he was still in Iraq.
Gallagher's new Jeep features a custom-painted mural on its hood that reads: |
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In Memory Of The Fallen Heroes Of Alpha Company 2.23 Infantry
You Will Never Be Forgotten
R.I.P
Joseph Landry III
Donald Valentine III
Nicholas Olson
Luigi Marciante Jr.
Jason Lemke
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 The traditional battlefield memorial of combat boots, rifle and dog tags appears on both sides of the names. A phoenix, the bird of mythology that rises out of the ashes, is in the background. The design was Cpl. Gallagher's concept, sketched onto paper by his mother, Karen Gallagher, and permanently memorialized on the vehicle by artist Mike Lavallee of Killer Paint in Snohomish, WA. The words, "Thank You Operation Gratitude" are painted on the rear bumper.
"I felt this would be a way to honor them for their service. It represents their lives," Gallagher said, choking back tears. "Now they are all home and always with us," added his mother, Karen, who traveled from her home in California for the Welcome Home Ceremony and Presentation. "Meeting (then) Spc. Gallagher and his team in Iraq last January when we hand-delivered the 300,000th Operation Gratitude package was a very special moment, matched only by seeing him take delivery of the Jeep Liberty here at home on American soil," said Blashek. "Cpl. Gallagher (promoted the morning of the presentation) is a wonderful representative to receive our expression of gratitude for the entire U.S. Military. We are truly a blessed nation to have the professionalism, dedication and service of men and women like all of you," Blashek told the assembled soldiers.  "Spc. Gallagher's desire to transform the vehicle into a permanent moving tribute to our fallen Warriors is very touching and meaningful not just for those of us who have lost loved ones, but to every American who honors our Military," added California Gold Star Mother Sue Pollard, an Operation Gratitude Volunteer Supervisor who attended the event. For local tv coverage: KOMO News
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Continuing to Honor Those That Serve
Operation Gratitude recently completed its 2008 Patriotic Drive, during which it sent its 350,000th care package. The organization has already started preparations for the 2008 Holiday Drive, which will include the assembly and shipment of the organization's 400,000 care package on December 13, 2008.
Chrysler expresses ongoing support and encouragement to America's military men and women through its "Honoring Those Who Serve" initiative, consisting of three components: Employment (career opportunities), Transportation (special incentives and warranties on Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge products) and Community (support for Military oriented non-profit organizations).
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| About Operation Gratitude
Operation Gratitude ( www.operationgratitude.com ) is the California- based 501 (c) (3) non-profit, all-volunteer organization that annually sends 100,000+ care packages of snacks, entertainment items and personal letters of appreciation addressed to individually named U.S. Service Members deployed in hostile regions such as Iraq and Afghanistan, and on military ships at sea. 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. For safety and security, all assembling of packages occurs at the Army National Guard armory in Van Nuys, California. Since its inception in March, 2003, Operation Gratitude has shipped more than 350,000 packages to American troops deployed overseas.
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About Chrysler LLC
Chrysler LLC, (www.chrysler.com ) headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., produces Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Mopar® brand vehicles and products. Total sales worldwide in 2007 were 2.7 million vehicles. Sales outside of North America were the highest ever with an increase of eight percent over 2006. Its product lineup features some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler 300 and Town & Country, Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee, and Dodge Challenger and Ram. The Chrysler Foundation, the company's philanthropic arm, annually supports hundreds of charitable organizations in the United States and throughout the world. In 2007, the Foundation gave approximately $21 million in charitable donations.
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Posted on June 26, 2008 - 00:59 AM |
OPERATION GRATITUDE HITS NEW MILESTONE
and
PRESENTS JEEP LIBERTY FOR JULY 4th
Encino, CA; June 26, 2008: For Immediate Release
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| Surrounded by more than 500 cheering volunteers, the sister of a Marine was surprised to learn that she was packing the 350,000th Care Package on the Operation Gratitude Assembly Line at the National Guard Armory in Van Nuys, CA. during the 2008 Memorial Day Weekend.
"This package represents the extraordinary generosity and efforts of our supporters--American Citizens from every state of this great nation," exclaimed founder, Carolyn Blashek. "Their donations of time, Wish List items and funds for postage have enabled us to send more than 2.8 Million pounds of product and over 17 Million individual items to our brave men and women fighting on the front lines" she stated.
Blashek, surrounded by the 70 "Hard Corps" Volunteers who supervise the production and Assembly Line operations, paid special tribute to our fallen Warriors and their families who have made the ultimate sacrifice. She thanked the more than 300 Corporate Friends and Sponsors who have donated items by the pallet load, and acknowledged the dedicated and cooperative efforts of other grass-roots, all-volunteer organizations such as Give 2 The Troops and Treat the Troops (The Cookie Lady) that have similarly supported our Military for many years.
"We applaud the massive one day goal by the great folks at Move America Forward to best our annual 110,000 individually addressed care package shipments" declared Bill Van Trump, Operation Gratitude's Volunteer Director of Development, but he added, "We are most proud of the tens of thousands of Operation Gratitude volunteers across the country who, week after week, month after month, year after year since the Iraq War started in March 2003, have toiled tirelessly to ensure that every Service Member deployed overseas knows they are always foremost on our minds and will never be forgotten."
To culminate the organization's record-breaking Patriotic Drive, Volunteer Director of Operations, Charlie Othold, announced that Operation Gratitude and Chrysler LLC would present a specially designed 2008 Jeep Liberty to SPC Michael "Shaun" Gallagher on July 1 at Ft. Lewis, Washington.
"Carolyn (Blashek) and I were honored to travel to Iraq earlier this year to personally hand our 300,000th Care Package to SPC Gallagher at Camp Warhorse in Baquoba," recalled Othold. "We are thrilled that he and his comrades have returned home safely and that we can give him this appropriately named vehicle, the Jeep Liberty, in time to celebrate America's Independence Day on July 4th" he added.
Operation Gratitude will send its 400,000th Care Package on December 13, 2008 during the organization's Annual Holiday Drive.
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About Operation Gratitude
Operation Gratitude ( www.operationgratitude.com ) is the California- based 501 (c) (3) non-profit, all-volunteer organization that sends care packages of snacks, entertainment items and personal letters of appreciation addressed to individually named U.S. Service Members deployed in hostile regions such as Iraq and Afghanistan, and on military ships at sea. 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. Operation Gratitude receives the names of thousands of troops from commanders in the field who see the positive impact of care packages on their troops' morale. The organization sends 100,000+ care packages every year during two major campaigns: A Patriotic Drive in May and a Holiday Drive in the Fall. For safety and security, all assembling of packages occurs at the Army National Guard armory in Van Nuys, California. All donated funds are used to pay for production, shipping and communication expenses only; no funds are expended on salaries, marketing or fundraising campaigns. Since its inception in March, 2003, Operation Gratitude has shipped more than 350,000 packages to American troops deployed overseas.
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Posted on May 22, 2008 - 14:41 PM |
Operation Gratitude Continues 2008 Patriotic Drive
During Memorial Weekend May 24-25
Encino, CA--May 21, 2008
Continuing the fast pace of last weekend's Patriotic Drive opening, Operation Gratitude's tireless volunteers, joined by senior Military officials and special guests,
In observance of Memorial Day on Saturday May 24, the organization will pay tribute to our troops with a screening of the documentary "Warriors...in their own Words" trailer. On the same day, Operation Gratitude will celebrate two Milestone Events: The 10th Care Package Drive and the shipment of its 350,000th Care Package.
"In just 5 years, during 10 care package drives, Operation Gratitude has sent more personalized care packages than any other Military Support Organization in history," exclaimed Charlie Othold, Director of Operations. "This accomplishment is a tribute to the dedicated volunteers and donors who have given so generously in time, effort, funds and product," he continued. In an emotional ceremony on May 18, Othold, a Vietnam Veteran who served 20 years in the Air Force, and has been a contractor for Lockheed Martin for 20+ years, was awarded the Department of the Army Achievement Medal for Civilian Service. In presenting the medal, Major General William Wade, The Adjutant General of the State of California, noted Othold's exemplary humanitarian and volunteer service as Operation Gratitude's Director of Operations, and praised Othold's management skills and personal efforts that enabled the production and shipment of 350,000 care packages to service members deployed overseas. "All of us at Operation Gratitude are thrilled that Charlie has been recognized in this very meaningful way," said Carolyn Blashek, the organization's founder. "Not only does he brilliantly organize and execute the entire operation, but he does so with complete calm, patience and good humor," she continued. Joan Rimmon, a long-time Volunteer Supervisor added: "We are blessed to have him running the show!"
All 70 of the Volunteer Supervisors were presented the "President's Volunteer Service Award" during a special ceremony on May 17. Blashek promised additional volunteer and donor recognition during the May 24th Memorial Day program.
WHAT: Operation Gratitude 2008 Patriotic Drive
WHEN: May 24-25: Assembly of Packages
9am-4pm Daily; Lunch 12-1pm
May 24 at 11:30am: Tribute to Warriors
350,000th Package
10th Care Package Drive Celebration
Recognition of Volunteers and Corporate Donors
WHERE: California Army National Guard Armory
17330 Victory Boulevard
Corporate Donors, media and press are invited to all events and lunch. Parking available on premises.
Volunteers 12 years and older are welcome to participate at the Armory.
Financial Donations and Personal Letters can be mailed year-round to:
Operation Gratitude
16444 Refugio Road
Encino, CA 91436 | |
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Posted on January 28, 2008 - 03:06 AM |
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Operation Gratitude Delivers 300,000th Care Package
Operation Gratitude founder, Carolyn Blashek, and Director of Operations, Charlie Othold, traveled 9,000 miles to surprise an unknowing Soldier with the keys to a 2008 Jeep(R) Liberty at Forward Operating Base Warhorse in Iraq on January 22. The gift of the Liberty was in celebration of Operation Gratitude's shipment of 300,000 care packages to troops deployed overseas.
Spc. Michael Gallagher, of Company A, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division from Fort Lewis, Washington, was the recipient of Operation Gratitude's special care package.
The Jeep(R) was donated by the Jeep brand. In a letter addressed to an "American Hero", John Plecha, Director -Jeep Marketing and Global Communications, said it was an honor to do something special for both a great organization and for the troops in Iraq.
"As the recipient of the 300,000th Operation Gratitude care package, the Jeep brand is delighted to award you a Jeep vehicle of your own as a symbol of our appreciation, as you represent all those who bravely go in harm's way in service to our country," Plecha's letter continued. |
 "When my commander ordered me to show up to this ceremony, I thought it was just another care package and they were making a big deal about it because it was the 300,000th one," said Gallagher. "When I opened up the envelope, (containing the keys to the Jeep inside) it completely blew my mind."
The care package contained various other gifts from U.S. citizens and companies that generously support Operation Gratitude, including letters from local schools, the 700,000th donated packet of Emergen-C Drink Mix, an autographed copy of Lt. General Hal Moore's "A General's Spiritual Journey," and four cigars from California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
"I would like to thank Operation Gratitude so much for supporting the troops and providing an opportunity to show that people actually care," Gallagher said. "I am very grateful for the time and effort that people, whom we don't even know, put forth to make all this happen for us," he continued.
Gallagher, a vehicle commander, will receive his new Jeep Liberty upon returning to the U.S. later this year. He plans on having a mural painted on the hood of the Liberty in tribute to the fallen heroes from his company. |
| "It was an enourmous honor and privilege to personally deliver this 300,000th care package on behalf of Operation Gratitude's thousands of supporters," exclaimed Carolyn Blashek. "I am so grateful to Major General Mark P. Hertling for the opportunity to deliver not only the package but the respect, gratitude and love from each and every one of our volunteers and sponsors" she continued.
For more pictures, check the Operation Gratitude Photo Gallery: 300,000 Package
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Posted on January 11, 2008 - 22:43 PM |
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Operation Gratitude "Wraps Up" Holiday Drive and 300,000th Package
During the weekend of December 15 and 16, 2007, Operation Gratitude's team of dedicated Volunteers wrapped up the organization's 300,000th Care Package as well as this season's record-setting Holiday Drive.
Over five weekends of assembly work, thousands of Operation Gratitude volunteers created 70,000 care packages chock full of fabulous items donated by generous citizens from every state and by our loyal Corporate Sponsors. Today, more than 58,000 of these packages have been received by our deployed service members, and more are on their way. Please visit our website to see the photos and to read the troops' letters!
The milestone 300,000th package, which includes keys to a 2008 Jeep Liberty donated by the Jeep brand of Chrysler, LLC, will be delivered soon.
In total, Operation Gratitude's volunteers have now shipped more than 315,000 care packages to our men and women in uniform deployed overseas. Thank YOU for your continued support to make this happen! | |
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Halloween Candy is Sweet Treat for More than Just Kids
This Halloween, dentists across the country promoted a unique way to bring brighter smiles to both American kids and U.S. troops. They hosted Halloween "Buy Back" events where dentists paid kids one dollar for every pound of candy they turned in. The candy was then shipped to Operation Gratitude to include in its care packages. Dr. Chris Kammer, senior dentist at the Center for Cosmetic Dentistry in Middleton, WI, created and organized the Buy Back program.
"This was a fun and effective event for us," said Jenny Skrenes, a marketing professional for the Center for Cosmetic Dentistry. "It gave dentists a new way to fulfill their mission of fighting cavities, while also giving them the opportunity to help fulfill Operation Gratitude's mission of putting smiles on service members' faces."
More than 80 dentists across 27 states participated in the Buy-Back program. Approximately 24,000 pounds of candy were shipped to Operation Gratitude, and that truly does have everyone smiling! We hope to include lots of Easter candy, especially Jelly Beans, in the Patriotic packages this spring.
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Volunteers Knit Warmth for Troops' Hearts and Minds
This fall, volunteer knitters and crocheters were hard at work, creating beautiful handmade scarves and hats for US troops. Thanks to the deft hands and clicking needles of 200+ volunteers from 20 different states across the country, Operation Gratitude received more than 2500 lovingly crafted items for the Holiday 2007 care packages..
Many of the troop thank you letters say that the scarves and hats keep them warm during the cold winter nights in the field, but even more importantly, the thoughtfulness of these gifts keep their hearts warm day and night, all year round.
Our crafters are now hard at work sewing the Bandana Cool-Ties for our summer Patriotic care packages, and many are already working on scarves for the 2008 Holiday Drive. We welcome your handiwork too! For more information, please contact Sharon Howard at sharhoward39@gmail.com . |
 Saying Thank You to All US Veterans
Operation Gratitude is dedicated to helping currently deployed service members feel valued and appreciated while they are far from home. Our supporters also recognize the importance of continuously saying "thank you" to those who have honorably served their country in years past.
That's why Operation Gratitude created the Letters to Veterans campaign to personally thank the tens of thousands of US Veterans who served their country in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm and other conflicts. To date, 700 letters have been written and more than 500 of those have been received by veterans.
Want to get involved? Please send your letters to Penny Alfonso, and she will distribute them to the many veterans across the country who deserve our respect and gratitude for their service.
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 Girl Scout Cookie Sales Starting Soon
Girl Scouts from coast to coast will soon be selling their delicious cookies through pre-sales and booth sales. We hope to include two boxes of these "taste of home" cookies in every Operation Gratitude care package this year. So, when you see these enterprising Scouts, please purchase additional boxes of cookies for Operation Gratitude. By donating Girl Scout cookies through our "Troops to Troops" campaign, you not only support the Girl Scout way, but you express your appreciation to our troops as well!
As one Sargeant wrote: "Your support of the troops is very significant and greatly appreciated. And by the way, the Girl Scout Cookies that were included in the packages were a big hit!!" To read more Troop Letters, visit the Mail Call section of our website.
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 Operation Gratitude Schedule for 2008
The intrepid Operation Gratitude Volunteers have already marked their calendars with the dates of the 2008 Patriotic and Holiday Drives. All information is now on the website: 2008 Schedule. The "accelerated" Patriotic Drive will be here before you know it: We urge all supporters to concentrate on collecting Beanie Babies and writing lots of letters for our summer Drive. Please email cblashek@aol.com for the Letter Writing Flyer.
More ideas on How You Can Help throughout the year can be found on the website.
Be sure to check out our Recycling Program to help raise funds for shipping!
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 THANK YOU!!
For making 2007 our most successful year yet! We shipped over 110,000 care packages-that's almost 1 Million pounds of product and 4.4 Million individual items! With your continued support in 2008, we will continue to put smiles on our service member's faces and send our messages of respect and appreciation to our deployed troops who are so far away from home.
Best wishes for a happy, healthy and safe New Year!
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