Important Message from Operation Grattitude: Please Read and Forward!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                      OPERATION GRATITUDE TO HIT UNPRECEDENTED MILESTONE DECEMBER 11 Organization Celebrates Shipment of 600,000 Care Packages to Troops Volunteers and Supporters: All across the country, we will have cause to celebrate on Saturday, December 11, 2010 as the 600,000th Operation Gratitude Care Package rolls off the assembly line at the National Guard Armory in Van Nuys, California! Director of Operations Charlie Othold expects the milestone 600,000th package to hit the assembly line around 11:15 a.m. PST, to the cheers of up to 1,000 volunteers, Military members, legislators, and celebrities. In addition to standard items and personal letters provided by more than 250 Corporate donors and by all of you, the 600,000th Care Package will include a classically American surprise generously donated by one of our Corporate Partners. A special delivery of the 600,000th Package is being arranged.  Five previous Operation Gratitude milestone packages contained the keys to new vehicles. The five winners of the online Halloween "Guess the Candy Weight 2010 Contest," will also be announced and awarded their great prizes.  The contest remains open to enter through December 5. Military and political dignitaries, along with representatives from many of the organization's Corporate Sponsors, will join the Operation Gratitude volunteers to assemble thousands of troop gifts in addition to the 600,000th Care Package.  Delicious product samples and a hearty lunch will be provided by Corporate and local business donors. Volunteers (ages 12 years and up) are invited to assist in the on-site care package activities.  Financial Donations are still needed to pay the assembly and postage costs of $15 per care package.  Please ensure that every Soldier, Sailor, Airman and Marine deployed in harm's way, far from home, feels loved and appreciated this holiday season.   Every tax deductible donation of $15 sends another care package, personally addressed to an American hero, and filled with 50+ assorted snack, entertainment and personal care items valued at $100 or more.  Online donations can be made here: Donate Donations by check can be made payable and mailed to: Operation Gratitude 16444 Refugio Road Encino, California 91436 WHAT:  Operation Gratitude Volunteers assemble the 600,000th Care Package WHEN:  Saturday, December 11, 2010             Care Package Assembly starts at 9 a.m.             The 600,000th Package Assembly and Celebration will occur: 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. WHERE:   California National Guard Armory                17330 Victory Boulevard                 Van Nuys, CA  91406                 Corner of Victory and Louise; parking available on adjacent lot For additional volunteer information: Volunteer  To learn how you can help:  Support Activities Donate while you shop: Great Ideas To Request Care Packages for Deployed Troops: Request Packages   ### About Operation Gratitude Operation Gratitude annually sends 100,000+ care packages filled with snacks, entertainment items andpersonal letters of appreciation addressed to individually named U.S. Service Members deployed in harm's way. The organization's mission is to lift morale, bring a smile to a service member's face and express to our Armed Forces the appreciation and support of the American people. Each package contains donated product valued at ~$125 and costs the organization $15 to assemble and ship. For safety and security, assembling of packages occurs at the Army National Guard armory in Van Nuys, California. Since its inception in 2003, Operation Gratitude volunteers have shipped more than 595,000 packages to American Military deployed overseas.  The 600,000th package will be assembled and shipped on December 11, 2010. Learn more about Operation Gratitude by visiting: Web:          http://www.OperationGratitude.com Twitter:     http://www.twitter.com/OpGratitude Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/OperationGratitude Blog:          http://OpGrat.wordpress.com YouTube:   http://www.youtube.com/OpGrat   Operation Gratitude Pam Campeau pam.campeau@gmail.com  805-559-8191                                            Visit our website         Facebook      Twitter       Videos        LinkedIn          Blog    Or text "fan OperationGratitude" to 32665 (FBOOK) from your mobile phone to be added as a fan on Facebook. Standard charges may apply.