“I’m going back over there. I know I won’t make it back this time, but it really doesn’t matter because no one would even care.”
Those were the heartbreaking words a soldier told our founder Carolyn Blashek back in 2003. He had lost everything and had lost sight of the amount of love and appreciation all around him. Carolyn was stunned, and she immediately wanted him and everyone who serves our country to know that the American people care. But what kind of gesture would reach deployed troops and impact them in a meaningful way? The idea came to her when she was reminded of the Care Packages she sent to her children when they were away. She wanted her kids to know that she was always thinking about them and was excited for their return home. That was the moment Operation Gratitude was born. Stacey Danlyn, Senior Director of Operations visited the club on October 17 told us more about the organization. The club presented a check to (photo: Stacey Danlyn (l) and Carolyn Blashek. Click on the photo to listen to a short video with Stacey).
Those were the heartbreaking words a soldier told our founder Carolyn Blashek back in 2003. He had lost everything and had lost sight of the amount of love and appreciation all around him. Carolyn was stunned, and she immediately wanted him and everyone who serves our country to know that the American people care. But what kind of gesture would reach deployed troops and impact them in a meaningful way? The idea came to her when she was reminded of the Care Packages she sent to her children when they were away. She wanted her kids to know that she was always thinking about them and was excited for their return home. That was the moment Operation Gratitude was born. Stacey Danlyn, Senior Director of Operations visited the club on October 17 told us more about the organization. The club presented a check to (photo: Stacey Danlyn (l) and Carolyn Blashek. Click on the photo to listen to a short video with Stacey).