Operation Gratitude Launches “Batallion Buddies” Program
Dear HillBuzz,
Having already shipped more than 600,000 care packages to service men and women deployed in combat zones, Operation Gratitude is pleased to announce the launch of “Battalion Buddies” — a new program designed to serve and encourage the young children of deploying troops.
In cooperation with Family Readiness Officers and battalion leaders nationwide, Operation Gratitude has begun providing special stuffed toys – known as Battalion Buddies – to the sons and daughters of U.S. military personnel as their units prepare to deploy.
“Our hope is these gifts will offer some degree of comfort to children while their moms and dads are far away, serving their country,” explained Operation Gratitude founder, Carolyn Blashek. “We want the children to know that they too have caring friends across the country who are aware of their sacrifices and send their appreciation.”
Aided by an initial donation of 28,000 stuffed toys hand-made by employees of the McKesson Corporation, and a follow-up donation of the cards by Tobu Print Group, Operation Gratitude was inspired to provide Battalion Buddies by the Commanding Officer of the National Guard armory in which the group operates. LTC Angel Ortiz, seeing the McKesson stuffed animals during a recent Care Package Assembly, asked whether Operation Gratitude could donate some for his units that would soon deploy.
“I realized these cuddly animals would be a perfect item for the children to hug as they were about to say ‘Good-bye’ to their parent,” said LTC Ortiz. “In addition, the animals would be a beautiful gift from the American people to say ‘Thank You’ to the military children who serve our nation in their own special and courageous way.”
As with its Care Packages to deployed troops, Operation Gratitude’s Battalion Buddies program will provide every American opportunities to encourage the children of troops serving in combat by donating stuffed toys and contributing funds.
A great volunteer activity with kids, friends and/or co-workers is to make a Battalion Buddy by hand! Kits to make stuffed animals can be found online. One such website is https://www.bdaybears.com/wholesale-unstuffed-animals.html
Those wishing to donate brand-new stuffed toys (ready-made or hand-made) to be used as Battalion Buddies may send them to the following address:
Operation Gratitude 17330 Victory Boulevard Van Nuys, CA 91406 Attn: Battalion Buddies Program
Financial donations are welcome and may be made online here: https://www.operationgratitude.com/donate/ or by check made payable and addressed to: Operation Gratitude 16444 Refugio Road Encino, CA 91436
U.S. Military: We are happy to send the Battalion Buddies to all the children of a deploying or deployed unit upon request from the rear detachment and/or family readiness officer. Please have the command contact us at BattalionBuddy@gmail.com so we can make arrangements directly with them for a shipment. (At this time, we do not have the resources to send the Buddies to individual children.)
Looking for more ways to support the troops? Visit our website http://www.operationgratitude.com/ or click on http://origin.library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1100969980026-626/10WaysToHelp2011.pdf.
Please consider supporting our troops in any way that you can!
Penny in California
© 2011, Kevin DuJan. All rights reserved.
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Kevin, many thanks to you and Penny for letting HBers know about this great program, which offers a simple, wonderful opportunity for all Americans to express appreciation and support to our troops and their kids. Just a thought: How about some battalion buddy stuffed toys wearing badges or t-shirts with the HB "buzzy bee" logo on them? I used to hand-sew individually designed stuffed bears. These are not difficult to make using a simple pattern.