If you are including a word of thanks for all our men and women in the armed forces this year, consider putting it into a letter and letting Operation Gratitude send it in one of their care packages. They also need donations of items such as batteries, energy bars, computer flash drives and CDs. See their website to get a full list. Here is a bit about their holiday drive. (Link via Lucianne)

There is still time to join our 4th Annual Operation Gratitude Holiday Drive to send at least 50,000 care packages addressed to individual service members. The Holiday Drive will continue during the Thanksgiving Weekend, November 24 - 25 and select weekends throughout December.

We need donations! Urge your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and colleagues to organize Collection Drives and Letter Writing Campaigns. Help us reach our goal of sending the 200,000th Operation Gratitude care package by year end!!

We will be accepting Wish List items and Letters through December 15. Please send your donations to:

Operation Gratitude/California Army National Guard
17330 Victory Boulevard
Van Nuys, CA 91406
Attn: Charlie Othold-818.437.6201

Operation Gratitude care packages are filled with an assortment of non-perishable foods, entertainment items, personal care products, and messages of appreciation. We welcome donations of Wish List Items and Personal Letters for inclusion in the care packages.