--- title: "Who We Are | Operation Gratitude" description: "Learn about Operation Gratitude's mission to connect grateful Americans with the Deployed Troops, Veterans, Law Enforcement, and First Responders who serve." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "NonprofitOrganization", "name": "Operation Gratitude", "description": "Connecting grateful Americans with service members, veterans, first responders, and their families through hands-on gratitude projects.", "url": "https://operationgratitude.com/" }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://www.operationgratitude.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "About", "item": "https://www.operationgratitude.com/about/who-we-are" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Who We Are", "item": "https://www.operationgratitude.com/about/who-we-are" } ] } ] --- Notice: We are no longer accepting in-kind donations. [Learn More →](/whats-changing) [![Operation Gratitude](/__l5e/assets-v1/553bdce7-3d46-49fd-aff1-0ac37a2e6468/og-logo-full.webp)](/) About Get Involved [Stories & Impact](/programs/mail-call) [Join Virtual FOB](/join-virtual-fob)[Request Care Packages](/programs/request-care-packages)[Donate](https://giving.operationgratitude.com/campaign/702424/donate) ![](/__l5e/assets-v1/4bab32a4-6010-4c61-84dd-0e7faea02753/hero-who-we-are-assembly.jpg) About Us # Who We Are Operation Gratitude sends care packages and provides volunteer opportunities to say thank you to deployed troops, veterans, and first responders. [Get Involved](/virtual-fob) [Who We Serve](/about/who-we-serve) 4M+ Care Packages Sent 50+ States Reached 20+ Years of Service 100% Volunteer-Powered Our Mission ## Saying Thank You to All Who Serve Our mission is to say Thank You to our Military and First Responder communities, and to honor their service by creating opportunities for all Americans to express gratitude. We fulfill this mission by empowering communities, supporting local leaders, and preserving the stories that connect Americans with Service Members, Veterans, and First Responders through meaningful acts of appreciation. Our Vision ## A Nation United in Gratitude We envision a nation where every person who serves, in the military, as a veteran, or as a first responder, feels the genuine appreciation of their fellow Americans, and where acts of gratitude strengthen the bonds between those who serve and those they protect. ![Founder Carolyn Blashek](/__l5e/assets-v1/4da16cd6-9811-4e06-9d23-4dadc111b4bb/whoweare-founder.jpg) Founded in 2003 Our Story ## From a Moment to a Movement Operation Gratitude began in 2003, when our founder, Carolyn Blashek, met a soldier who felt forgotten. From her living room, she mailed four Care Packages to deployed troops in Iraq. In the 20 years since, tens of thousands of Volunteers have delivered more than four million Care Packages, each one filled with donated products, handmade items, and heartfelt letters. These packages were more than supplies, they were tangible reminders that Americans care. Today, Operation Gratitude is one of the largest hands-on volunteer nonprofits in the country, demonstrating the power of grassroots participation in expressing national gratitude. We fulfill this mission by empowering communities, supporting local leaders, and preserving the stories that connect Americans with Service Members, Veterans, and First Responders through meaningful acts of appreciation. The Heart of Our Mission ## Inside Every Care Package Each care package is carefully assembled by volunteers and contains items chosen to bring comfort, entertainment, and a tangible reminder that America cares. Handwritten Letters Personal notes from grateful Americans Snacks & Treats Comfort food from home Hygiene Essentials Personal care items for daily use Entertainment Books, games, and puzzles ![Volunteers assembling care packages](/__l5e/assets-v1/bf7cb68b-1a0a-4f85-a743-cc9ae39cd426/whoweare-carepackage-family.jpg) What Guides Us ## Our Core Values These principles guide everything we do, from packing boxes to building communities. ![Gratitude](/__l5e/assets-v1/52a5ae02-279d-4c50-aebd-8288efaff107/value-gratitude-volunteer.jpg) ### Gratitude Every action we take is rooted in thankfulness for those who serve and sacrifice. ![Community](/__l5e/assets-v1/b8c6d19f-3db4-41ea-9df0-d07e14841a6c/value-community-letters.jpg) ### Community We believe in the power of bringing people together around a shared mission of service. ![Honor](/__l5e/assets-v1/cc5d2e1d-ac1e-4a2d-bbe2-50efcf7d4cc3/value-honor.jpg) ### Honor We treat every service member, veteran, and first responder with the dignity they've earned. ![Connection](/__l5e/assets-v1/e2dcd0ef-b0b9-4110-a0a0-f7cb2480351e/value-connection-troops.jpg) ### Connection Our care packages bridge the gap between civilians and heroes, fostering lasting bonds. ![Impact](/__l5e/assets-v1/43fec011-6220-4d22-94f6-120b9f42db7d/value-impact.jpg) ### Impact We measure success by the lives touched and the gratitude delivered, not just packages shipped. ![Innovation](/__l5e/assets-v1/ee1e8346-9d8f-49dd-8bb7-503aba0281b4/value-innovation.jpg) ### Innovation We continuously evolve our programs to meet the changing needs of those we serve. ![](/__l5e/assets-v1/bf7cb68b-1a0a-4f85-a743-cc9ae39cd426/whoweare-carepackage-family.jpg) ## Join the Movement of Gratitude Whether you volunteer, donate, or simply write a letter, every act of gratitude makes a difference. Join thousands of Americans who are saying "thank you" to those who serve. [Get Involved](/community-hub) [View Our Impact](/about/financials) [![Operation Gratitude](/__l5e/assets-v1/7e7059e0-3c60-4394-a1d2-146759c220d0/og-logo-white.webp)](/) Saying "Thank You" to all who serve, service members, veterans, first responders, and their families. [](https://www.facebook.com/OperationGratitude)[](https://www.instagram.com/opgratitude/)[](https://www.tiktok.com/@operationgratitude)[](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYdgKTvRoKdB6n8Gd-WgyIQ)[](https://www.linkedin.com/company/operation-gratitude) #### How We Work - [Who We Are](/about/who-we-are) - [Who We Serve](/about/who-we-serve) - [Signature Activations](/programs/signature-activations) - [Assembly Days](/programs/assembly-days) - [Mail Call](/programs/mail-call) #### Get Involved - [Virtual FOB](/join-virtual-fob) - [Become a Volunteer](/volunteer/apply) - [Events](/events) - [Partner with Us](/partner-with-us) - [Matching Gifts](/matching-gifts) - [Corporate Partnerships](/corporate-partnerships) - [Community Partnerships](/community-partnerships) #### About - [Leadership & Board](/about/leadership) - [Financials](/about/financials) - [Careers](/about/careers) - [Contact Us](/about/contact) - [What's Changing](/whats-changing) - [FAQ](/faq) Operation Gratitude is a tax-exempt public charity (federal tax ID #20-0103575). All contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law. © 2026 Operation Gratitude, Inc. All rights reserved. [Privacy](/privacy-policy)[FAQ](/faq)[Contact](/about/contact)