"Thank you so much for including Operation Gratitude in your Support the Troops section. I want to give you an update! While I did start this as a one-person operation, we have now linked forces with the California Army National Guard, 746th QM BN out of Van Nuys--where we do our warehousing and staging. During our major Support the Troops Rally in November, we had over 200 volunteers help assemble almost 4000 packages in one weekend. Since then, we have ~25 volunteers on a weekly basis helping at the Armory, thousands of supporters around the country contributing items, letters and funds, and we have now sent over 7000 packages! We will continue sending up to 500 packages per week throughout the year and plan another mass event in the spring! To all the teachers out there whose students provided holiday letters and cards for the troops: MANY THANKS!! And keep those cards and letters coming--especially for events such as Valentine's Day! And Girl Scout troops: we would love to include your cookies in our weekly packages! Many thanks to all of you everywhere who have helped bring a smile to thousands of troops' faces this holiday season through Operation Gratitude care packages! Fondly, Carolyn Blashek Founder, Operation Gratitude