OPERATION GRATITUDE INC
Invite reviews
Invite friends and colleagues to share their experiences with this nonprofit
July 24, 2010
I started as a volunteer with Operation Gratitude at the very beginning, and have watched with amazement the growth of this wonderful organization. The effect it has had on the community as well as the soldiers deployed overseas has been nothing short of incredible. For the soldiers, it has given them ongoing proof that Americans are grateful and love them and are praying for them. The many ways in which they have expressed the profound inpact of Operation Gratitude on their lives can be found in the letters and emails that they send us. The effect on the community has been astonishing, as Operation Gratitude has provided a way for American citizens to thank the troops. So very, very many Americans are grateful to our military and search for a way to express that gratitude. Operation Gratitude has given them that opportunity. The people who volunteer almost always find themselves volunteering for much longer than they expect to, working much harder than they expect to, and feeling much more gratified than they ever expected. They leave hot, tired, and drained, and always thank us on the way out....and most return to volunteer again. Operation Gratitude has brought out the best in people in so many ways. The goal of bringing a smile to the faces of our troops is always realized, and the added benefit is the smile it also brings to the faces of our volunteers.
More feedback...
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
July 24, 2010
I started volunteering for Operation Gratitude back in the fall of 2005. It only took one time going down to the CA Army National Guard armory to get "hooked"! Wonderful people of all ages and from all walks of life were there, united with the one purpose of supporting our deployed troops. What impressed me the most was how there are no paid employees with Operation Gratitude -- we are ALL volunteers! And ALL the items in the care packages sent to service members have been donated, meaning that the monetary donations that come in pay for the postage costs, and very little else! To me. that's a very sensible way to run a non-profit charity! I love Operation Gratitude and would recommend it to anyone as a place to volunteer and/or donate!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The responses I've received back via email and postal mail from the U.S. service members who've received Operation Gratitude care packages. These men and women write that they're encouraged by the outpouring of love and generosity of complete strangers.
More feedback...
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
July 23, 2010
Operation Gratitude sends care packages to our deployed American troops. I have been with the organization since 2004 and have become a supervisor. It is a wonderful group that bypasses political feelings to see that our troops get the best attention from the folks at home. We enjoy our work, but even better we get great satisfaction is what we do.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
reading the letters of thanks from the troops after receiving our packages.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the great satisfaction I feel knowing that we have made the lives of our deployed heroes a little sweeter.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Everyone is friendly and willing to give their all in making sure that our boxes are the best.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
have it's own facility and space would not be a problem.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
July 23, 2010
My story with Operation Gratitude is a little different than most. As a teenager in Los Angeles, I decided that my goal in life was to join the Army - either by way of West Point or by ROTC. My friends and family, out of fear and shock, offered little support and I found myself searching for a place where people would encourage me to follow my dreams. Two years ago I stumbled into Operation Gratitude and have been working there ever since. I am now a part of the Go Gold Battalion at Vanderbilt Army ROTC, and couldn't have gotten there without this amazing organization. The most obvious (and most important) goal of Operation Gratitude is to let the troops overseas know that they are loved and supported by sending them these amazing, personal care packages. My goal in telling my story, however, is to show that the troops are not the only ones who receive love and support from this organization. The group of volunteers is filled with people who have a connection to the military, either through a loved one or in themselves. These people, myself included, benefit tremendously from the work that is done through Operation Gratitude. I know that I'm not alone when I say that I wouldn't be who I am today without OpGrat.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The letters that come back from the troops. To hear how much it means to them to receive these packages is just heartwarming.
More feedback...
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
July 23, 2010
Operation Gratitude's mission is to put a smile on a service member's face and let them know the American people appreciate their service. The following letters from our troops and their families are the best evidence that Operation Gratitude continues to fulfill its mission. "My husband is one of the many that received a care package from you. He is safely back home and a few days after his arrival he recounted that day they all received your loving gifts. He was so touched...they all were... deeply touched. They thought it was a priceless gift. I became choked up with the thought of human kindness given to these unknown troops. I have no words to express how thankful I am. E.K. Newbury Park, CA" "Last week we had a particularly rough few days of constant missions. The next morning we all woke up to your packages. I don't know what it was exactly. I don't know if it was the fatigue or the beauty of your newsletter (and sincerely heartfelt messages found within it), but I broke down....in a good way. For some reason as I read the letters, especially from the kids, all of the bombs, the bullets, the stresses, the ignorance and hatred, the tangible weight of missing my fiance and family back home all evaporated, if only for a day. A humble gratitude from us to you. LT J.Z." "Many organizations send packages over here but yours is the most thoughtful that I've seen. You obviously have a good sense of what soldiers want out here, and I wanted to thank you and tell you it's sure appreciated. CPT J.D." "I don’t have a wife and kids or much of a family but when I received your package today I felt loved for the first time in a very long time. Words cannot describe the joy that I feel when I read the letters from the kids. Their letters will always remind me to be courageous and stand tall. I wish to thank every single one of you from the bottom of my heart for your love and support. AT3(AW) W." "What your organization brings to the table is a friendly hug, a hand shake, or even a kiss to someone that may feel they have no one that cares about them. J.K."
Photos
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I receive all the letters and emails from the troops thanking Operation Gratitude for the care packages.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
...continue its grass-roots nature and ensure that every American was still able to participate in their own way.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
knowing my efforts make a difference.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Dedicated, kind, genuine, self-less, enthusiastic.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Develop a fully staffed program which would ensure continuity as a permanent institution.
Ways to make it better...
I had more time to devote.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Continuing to operate as a volunteer-based organization.
One thing I'd also say is that...
The organization receives and publishes all the thanks from the troops. But all the volunteers and supporters continually send their thanks as well--for the opportunity to say "Thank You" to our Military.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
Filter by reviewer role:
- Volunteer88
- Client Served5
- Expert4
- Public15
- Board Member0
- Donor43
- Advisor1
Support This Nonprofit
Help this nonprofit get more reviews
5 tips for getting reviews