Tom Connolly’s Walk Across America

August 8, 2015August 8, 2015 ~ Jack Benton ~ Leave a comment

Please Donate if you can to this cause for my good friends at Operation Gratitude! Go Tom!!!

You may have been following Tom Connolly, a devoted friend to Operation Gratitude who has been walking (yes, walking) across the country to raise money and awareness for our troops. For the past several years, he organized a wonderful comedy night fundraiser for us in Los Angeles, CA, but in 2015, Tom wanted to step up his game in a big way.

A really big way, actually…

That’s how TC Walks Americawas born!

Tom began his journey on April 25th at the Armory in Van Nuys where he officially kicked off his amazing adventure with a celebratory ribbon cutting ceremony in front of hundreds of Operation Gratitude volunteers.

He loaded up his gear and we sent him on his way…

Since that Saturday afternoon, Tom has trekked more than 2,000 miles in rain, sun, snow, sleet, and even a tornado scare! Nothing has stopped him and we are amazed by his incredible perseverance, spirit, and…

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9 Ways You Can Make a Service Member Smile from Wherever You Are

June 19, 2015June 19, 2015 ~ Jack Benton ~ Leave a comment

Always Happy to Assist Our Troops and My Great Friends at Operation Gratitude!🇺🇸

Operation Gratitude Blog

Operation Gratitude may be headquartered in the Los Angeles area, but you can help us make a difference regardless of where you live. Read below for ways you can put smiles on the faces of our troops and veterans from wherever you are!

1. Send Us Your Beanie Babies We put Beanie Babies and other small plush toys in the care packages we send to deployed troops. Read why we do this!

2. Organize a Collection Drive Our volunteers nationwide have generously devoted their time to running successful collection drives for Operation Gratitude using our wish list as a guide. Why not organize one in your community?

3. Rec first deployment package ycle Your Old Cell or Smart Phone We’ve partnered with a company that will recycle your old cell or smart phone, or electronic device, in a way that is both environmentally responsible and beneficial to Operation Gratitude!

4. Get Crafty Our troops are…

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A Simple “Thank You” with a Lasting Impact

November 6, 2014November 6, 2014 ~ Jack Benton ~ Leave a comment

Help Support All The Great Things My Good Friends At Operation Gratitude Do For Our Troops & Wounded Warriors!

Operation Gratitude Blog

The following is a Guest Blog Post from Renee Swetlik:

It started as a simple thank you…And turned into a learning experience Homan Elementary School students will never forget.

In class this past January, Homan students talked about freedom and what it means to them. As the school librarian, I created a Letter to a Hero center in the library, and the students rose to the challenge by writing to Wounded Warrior Heroes who have served our country in the U.S. Military. Our goal: to say “thank you” and brighten their day, if only for a moment.

Over 500 letters were sent to Operation Gratitude for their Wounded Warrior Care Packages.

In February, we received a letter from Carolyn Blashek, President of Operation Gratitude. In her letter she stated: “The recipients of your generosity will remember your kindness forever.”

Even then, we did not truly understand just what an impact these letters make!

Soon after…

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This Will Be My Last Post For Awhile….

March 28, 2014April 10, 2014 ~ Jack Benton ~ 4 Comments

This will be my last post for awhile due to a recent divorce because "I lost my job".........Or so it was what I was told. I have no place to stay in order to have an address to obtain a job. The irony of it all is that I was in the running for several … Continue reading This Will Be My Last Post For Awhile….

Operation Gratitude’s Military Support Programs

February 7, 2014February 7, 2014 ~ Jack Benton ~ Leave a comment

Help continue to Support this wonderful organization. 🙂
Thank you!!

Operation Gratitude Blog

Did you know that Operation Gratitude volunteers send more than 200,000 care packages every year?

Our mission is to lift the spirits and meet the evolving needs of our Active Duty and Veteran communities. To do so, we have developed these unique care package programs, each with the goal of saying “Thank You” to our heroes:

Deployed Troop Care Packages: Our volunteers assemble and ship our hallmark Operation Gratitude Care Packages to deployed Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines, each package personally addressed by name.

Recruit Care Packages: Our “New Recruit” Care Package program thanks our newest members of the Military for stepping forward and devoting the next several years of their life in service to our nation by presenting a Care Package to them on Graduation day from Boot Camp.

Battalion Buddy Packages: We send cuddly stuffed animal “Battalion Buddy” packages to the children of deploying service members. Each Battalion…

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