The drawstring bags and bandanas we send in our care packages are hand-stitched or machine sewn by our dedicated volunteers as their way to express appreciation.
Drawstring Bags
Drawstring bags are a handy and useful item for our troops to store their small or loose personal items. They are extra storage when a backpack is full and can be used to carry extra water, ammo and other small items that would fall to the bottom of their backpack. They can also be used to hold hygiene items for our sailors on ships, and store small items so they can easily be found!
Drawstring Bag FAQs
Please use muted colors for your bags. They may be tied to the outside of our troops backpacks and we do not want them to stand out!
We suggest nylon “ripstop” fabric for your bags but any durable fabric is acceptable. You want to choose a fabric that can be easily washed and dried with no special care.
Please do not fold your bags, Simply stack them in your box for shipping. Please DO NOT put each drawstring bag in its own individual bag.
Bandanas
Bandanas are a simple piece of cotton with countless uses! Our troops might use them to compress wounds, dry sweaty hands, protect the neck from the hot sun, or to cover their face in a sandstorm.
Bandana FAQs
There is no specific pattern for a bandana because they are so simple to make!
To make a bandana, simply cut your fabric into a square, allowing for a ½” seam on all sides. Fold the edges ½” on each side and sew them down. Your bandana should measure between 21″ and 24″ square when seamed. The size will depend on the width of the fabric you buy.
These will be worn by both men and women in uniform so keep your colors and patterned fabric muted. We need your bandanas to blend well with our troops’ daily uniform. Camo pattern is always appreciated and can be found in almost every fabric store.
Please use 100% cotton. It’s a durable fabric when wet or dry and can be easily washed and dried with no special care. It is also inexpensive and can be found in almost any craft store or online.
It will depend on the situation, but most commanders will allow them to be worn while on patrol as long as the color is appropriate. Remember, keep your fabric colors muted to blend with our troops’ uniforms.
Please fold your bandanas and secure them with one (1) rubber band before putting them in your box. Please DO NOT put each bandana in its own individual bag.
General FAQs
Please do not wash your items after they are made unless they have an odor (perfume, smoke, etc.) or have animal hair on them. Many people are allergic to different types of laundry soap so if you do wash your items, please use a fragrance-free hypoallergenic laundry soap to wash your items.
Yes, in fact, we encourage you to include a note with every bag or bandana you make! Please fold your note inside of your bag or bandana, but do not attach it. Please do not use any type of pins to attach your notes!
The note can be as simple as “Handmade with Love” or a short letter about yourself and why you made your item. Include your first name and email address or “snail mail” address—so the recipient can send you a “thank you” if they have time. Please understand that we can not guarantee that you will ever receive a reply, but we do hope that you’ll give the recipient a chance to say thank you.
Please use regular paper and do not use a card or card stock for your notes. Cards do not roll very well into a scarf or hat and will usually end up damaged. Also, please be sure that your note does not stick out of your rolled scarf or hat. If you are uncomfortable using your personal address, feel free to use ours (info@operationgratitude.com) but please also include your full name so if we receive a note about your item, we can be sure to forward them to you.
Absolutely! You can drop off your items Monday–Friday from 9 am to 3:30 pm. Please be sure to fill out our Product Donation Form and include a copy in every box/bag/envelope you drop off!
If you are making a large donation, it is best to coordinate the drop-off with our staff.
Please begin by filling out our Product Donation Form and include a copy in every box you send! We want to know who the donation is from so we can send you a thank you letter!
Our address is:
Operation Gratitude
9409 Owensmouth
Chatsworth CA 91311
Operation Gratitude is now partnering with Give Back Box to offer discounted shipping to our donors! All boxes up to 50 pounds qualify for $20 shipping throughout the U.S. The steps are simple. Visit Give Back Box to add your label to your cart. Pay for the postage, print your label, put it on your box, and drop it off! It’s that easy!
Yes, we will send you a thank you letter within eight weeks of receiving your donation. If you want earlier confirmation of delivery of your shipment(s), please use the tracking system provided by your shipper.
Yes! We offer community service hours for most of our handmade with love programs. You will receive 1 hour of service for every 3 drawstring bags you send in. Sorry, but we do not offer community service hours for bandanas.
For additional information please visit our community service page.
Operation Gratitude in Action
We have a Facebook group called Operation Gratitude in Action for our Handmade With Love donors! Come and meet volunteers from across the country, share pictures of your work, and join our virtual crafting circles!
Every Tuesday evening and Thursday afternoon, we have Zoom meeting that bring together our volunteers for some crafting and chatting. You do not need to be a crafter to join the conversation!
You can find the links to our Zoom meeting in the “events” menu of the group.