Senator Elizabeth Dole was recently asked how the American people can support the Wounded Hero & Caregiver community. Her response was simple, “small acts of kindness can make a real difference” in the day to day lives of the 5.5 million Military & Veteran Caregivers across the country.
Operation Gratitude is committed to strengthening the Wounded Hero & Caregiver Community through such small acts of kindness through the direct delivery of its signature Care Packages to wounded, ill, and injured service members and their caregivers.
In May 2019, the Month of the Military Caregiver, Operation Gratitude volunteers delivered care packages in 10 cities across America, demonstrating that actions speak louder than words, and in turn building morale in this unique and honored community.
During the past few months, dedicated Operation Gratitude staff and volunteers also attended Care Package deliveries in San Diego, CA, Boston, MA, Durham, NC, Washington, DC, Indianapolis, IN, and Independence, MO. In each location, our team shared personal stories and experiences, forging strong bonds between those who have served and the communities in which they live.
In Massachusetts, Operation Gratitude partnered with the Boston’s Wounded Vet Run to present care packages to wounded heroes being honored at the event. Rich Headley, a retired Marine and Operation Gratitude’s Senior Director for Military and Veteran Programs, was on hand to take part, along with his wife, children, and local volunteers.
The Valor Games Southeast hosted by Bridge II Sports in Durham, NC provided Operation Gratitude another opportunity to act, as we delivered care packages to 150 disabled veteran athletes competing in 11 different sports.
Operation Gratitude also participated in #HiddenHeroesTODAY with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation and the TODAY Show in Indianapolis. This two-day event honoring military caregivers culminated in a special broadcast of TODAY live from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, co-hosted by Savannah Guthrie and Tom Hanks.
As Senator Dole talked about “small acts of kindness” at #HiddenHeroesTODAY, Operation Gratitude put those words into action and gave each caregiver in attendance a specially designed Care Package, and handed out Girl Scout cookies, Power Crunch Bars and popcorn to their families.
The U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) hosted the 2019 Department of Defense (DOD) Warrior Games June 21-30 in Tampa, Fla. Approximately 350 wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans participated in this annual competition. The athletes hailed from the militaries of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Netherlands, Australia, and Denmark.
At the Warrior Games, Operation Gratitude and its volunteers partnered with the Fisher House Foundation and SOCOM to provide meaningful support for the Warriors, including personal delivery of 700 Care Packages and Athlete Pouches, and distribution of thousands of snack and respite items to the spectators, families, and athletes.
The impact of the care packages and pouches could be seen immediately on the faces of the athletes and their families. Their smiles said it all…
In the coming months, Operation Gratitude will continue to demonstrate that actions speak louder than words, visiting cities across the country and performing “small acts of kindness” through the assembly and personal delivery of thousands of Care Packages.
We welcome your participation in those cities, but you don’t have to wait for us to be in your location…You can make an enormous impact right from your own home with these small but significant acts of kindness that will ensure our Care Packages are filled with love and appreciation:
For more information on how you can get involved with Operation Gratitude anytime and anywhere, click the link below and Join The Cause!
