Operation Gratitude Fills Care Packages In Chatsworth

CHATSWORTH, CA — Operation Gratitude prepared 12,000 care packages to Los Angeles first responders and military service members in honor of the 20th anniversary of 9/11.

A Chatsworth event was the second of Operation Gratitude's commemorations of 9/11, which will ultimately deliver 50,000 care packages to first responders, veterans and deployed soldiers working on the Afghan evacuee mission.

"Operation Gratitude recognizes that many of our nation’s heroes were inspired to serve by the tragic events that occured on September 11, 2001. Now, 20 years later, the care packages assembled aim to offer a small reminder to men and women in uniform that Americans across the country continue to support them and appreciate their service and sacrifice," Operation Gratitude said in a news release.

About 300 volunteers from across Los Angeles came to Chatsworth Saturday to prepare 10,000 care packages for Los Angeles Police Department officers and 2,000 care packages for deployed troops, some of which will go to American soldiers currently assisting with the Afghan evacuation mission, according to Rich Headley, senior director of military and veteran programs. The program will continue next week in Philadelphia and culminate with a volunteer event in New York City on Sept. 8.

"The impact that that care package will have on [its] recipient will hopefully remind them of what they signed up for," Headley said.

The care packages assembled Saturday include food, hygiene items, handwritten letters from people across the country and sponsored items, such as Starbucks coffee. All items in the care packages have been donated by people or corporations.

Andrea Sandoval, president and co-founder of the Wives of L.A. Police Officers, helped organize Saturday's event. The symbolic meaning of the care packages is multifold, she said: it represents donated time, energy, effort and money from volunteers to show gratitude for first responders' service. Package items such as sunblock and hand sanitizer are also useful to officers who work long hours.

"The labor of love that goes into it also represents a lot of appreciation and love for our officers," Sandoval said.

The most special item that goes in each care package is a bracelet handmade of parachute cord that can hold 550 pounds of weight, Headley said. The bracelets are made by volunteers across the country.

Volunteers from Operation Gratitude and the Wives of L.A. Police Officers will hand-deliver the packages, which Headley said is the thing many of the volunteers like the most.

"[Volunteers are] getting a way to participate in hands-on volunteerism — a tangible way for them to say thank you for your service. I think a lot of Americans are looking for that and operation gratitude provides an opportunity for hands-on volunteerism ," Headley said.

Operation Gratitude hosts packing events year round, but they do a special commemoration of 9/11 every year.