Operation Gratitude, Veterans United partnership fills 1,000 care kits for deployed troops

What do ChapStick, a hand-knitted beanie and socks featuring the various U.S. military branch insignia have in common? They all are items that went into care kits Thursday for currently deployed servicemembers.

Veterans United Home Loans, in partnership with Operation Gratitude, filled 1,000 kits — 300 at American Legion Post 202 and 700 at Veterans United corporate offices, known as the Jake Building off South Providence Road. Staff at the Jake Building also filled 200 Battalion Buddy bears to send to the children of those currently deployed.

It is an honor to partner with Operation Gratitude on this project, said Michelle Benke, military spouse and Veterans United Foundation team lead.

"Our troops deal with so much in the course of their deployment and having a chance to lift their morale, even just a little, and to give them a piece of home is an important way we can remind them that we love them and are grateful for what they do to protect us all," she said.

Joining Veterans United employees at the Legion were retired servicemembers, such as VFW Post 280 Commander Ed Miller.

"This is what we are supposed to do to help the troops (and veterans). It is all part of our mission," he said.

Lorrie Mayes with the Legion said the event Thursday morning is "everything I want to see happen here. I'm over the moon."

She was brainstorming with other Legion leadership about other, similar events the legion could host at its facility off East Broadway where it becomes Route WW.

Operation Gratitude got its start 20 years ago by Carolyn Blashek after hearing a devastating statement from an Iraq war soldier.

"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," he had said.

More than 4 million care kits have been made for veterans, deployed troops, first responders and wounded warriors and their caregivers in the organization's 20-year history, said Vicki Johnson, with Operation Gratitude, who was assisting Thursday at the packing event at the Columbia Legion.

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"We bring volunteers together across the country at events just like this," she said, adding creating care kits for deployed troops is more important than ever with not only the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war, but also the recently reignited conflict between Israel and Hamas.

"This event today is giving Veterans United a chance to say thank you. These are going to people currently deployed. We have received over 10,000 care-package requests in the last two weeks in addition to what we already had on the docket.

"Partnering with organizations like VU is so important for us to meet that demand. Everyone that requests a care package, we want to make sure they get one."

The sundry items in the care kits included more than just socks, ChapStick and a knitted beanie. There were handwritten notes not only from Veterans United employees, but those coming from Operation Gratitude supporters as well. Each care kit also includes a paracord bracelet, which is used by troops in a variety of ways, Johnson said, also noting other items like coffee, Starburst candy and Liquid IV water enhancer.

"In the feedback we get, the handwritten notes are always the most treasured item," Johnson said. "We get lots of notes back about how the paracord bracelets were used. They're carrying equipment, tying up glowsticks for light or tying an IV bag to a pole."

Other items that can help troops pass the time, like a "Magic: The Gathering" card game starter kit also were included.

Making a care kit is a tangible way to help troops, Johnson said, encouraging people to visit the Operation Gratitude website to learn more about getting involved.

"I would love for volunteers in this community to get involved with us on a regular basis. There are a ton of things you can do from your home, like knitting or crocheting hats. We have knitting and crocheting groups across the country," she said.

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Charles Dunlap covers local government, community stories and other general subjects for the Tribune. You can reach him at cdunlap@columbiatribune.com or @CD_CDT on Twitter. Subscribe to support vital local journalism.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Veterans United Home Loans staff fill Operation Gratitude care kits