Operation Gratitude Purple Heart Care Package Program

Editor’s Note — UPDATE 9/18/14: The Purple Heart Care Package Program is on-going and requests must come through official sources at Military Hospitals and Wounded Warrior Transition Units. For more information about ALL of Operation Gratitude’s efforts, please read “What Does Operation Gratitude Do?” 

Further, in recognition that the Wounded Hero often expresses deep concern for their buddies remaining on the front line, Operation Gratitude will send care packages on behalf of the Wounded Hero to the rest of his or her unit still deployed downrange.

“We hope that sending those packages to their deployed comrades will help the wounded feel they are still contributing to the mission and supporting their buddies” according to Operation Gratitude founder, Carolyn Blashek.

Wounded Warrior Transition Units (“WWTU”) provide critical support to the wounded and their families, focusing on those requiring six months or more of rehabilitative care and complex medical management.

Operation Gratitude Purple Heart Care Package deliveries will begin in February. Patients at Bethesda National Naval Medical Center and soldiers in the WWTU at Ft. Polk, Louisiana will be among the first to receive the shipments.

“Here at the Soldier and Family Assistance Center (SFAC), we provide the non-medical support to the Wounded Warrior and their families assigned/attached to the Warrior Transition Unit at Fort Polk,” explained an SFAC Specialist.  “Your care packages will go a long way in letting the Wounded Warriors here at Fort Polk know that people care.”

Operation Gratitude’s annual goal is to provide 10,000 of the Purple Heart Care Packages filled with specially selected items donated through the generosity of corporate sponsors and supportive citizens, and assembled by the organization’s dedicated volunteers. More packages will be assembled and shipped if requested.

According to representatives at Wounded Warrior facilities, the most needed items are: Entertainment items, hygiene products, iPods and gift cards from chain stores such as supermarkets, drugstores, Target and Walmart.

As with its care packages to deployed troops, Operation Gratitude will provide every American a way to express their appreciation and encouragement to our heroes wounded in combat by donating “Wish List” items, contributing funds, crafting hand-made items and writing letters.

Operation Gratitude is particularly requesting personal letters of support and encouragement in order to include several in each package. For information on writing letters: Letter Writing Flyer

For those wishing to thank a Wounded Hero, letters and items can be sent to:

Operation Gratitude
21100 Lassen Street
Chatsworth, CA 91311
Attn: Angel Cuevas/Wounded Warrior Program

For more information on how to support all of our nation’s heroes, visit our website:  How You Can Help

Financial donations can be made online here: Donate to Purple Heart Care Package Program or by check made payable and addressed to:

Operation Gratitude
P.O. Box 260257
Encino, CA 91426-0257

Thank you for your support!

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