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while I love talking about all the beautiful places to visit, stay, eat and play in California, I’d like to take a minute and share with you something that has become a really cool thing to do for my family and thats giving back in Southern California at Operation Gratitude.

 

 

My daughter is in high school and is required to do community service in order to graduate.  I’m not going to lie, we weren’t too pleased with the idea when we learned about this. However, community service has turned out to be a really great thing for our family.

 

 

We scoured the internet and researched the best orginizations that matched what our family was interested in doing to help our community.  We found a few to help our parks (which I’ll talk about later) and we found one that really pulled at our hearts, Operation Gratitude.

 

 

Located in Chatsworth, CA is a large warehouse where wonderful people assemble care packages filled with hygienic, entertainment and handmade items, as well as food, candy and personal letters.

 

The care packages are sent to Veterans, Wounded Soldiers, their care givers, New Recruits, First Responders and any individual US service members that get deployed overseas.  Families waiting at home can also receive a care package.

 

 

Every year, Operations Gratitude sends over 200,000 care packages! So, every month there is an assembly day, where hundreds of volunteers congregate to help with the care packages. It’s such a beautiful sight.

 

There are all kinds of jobs you can do on these assembly days.  Not only can you work in the assembly line, but you can write letters, screen letters, do quality control for stuffed animals that are sent to the soldiers, make Paracord survival bracelets, fold shirts, etc..

 

On the assembly line, you’ll be putting items into the boxes or carrying the boxes through the assembly line while they’re getting filled. Other jobs are labeling, taping, running packages, re-stocking products, breaking down cartons and so much more.

 

 

While we were working, there was a DJ playing uplifting, patriotic and just fun music to keep you going. The atmosphere is so joyful with students, veterans, neighbors and caring people from all around Southern California! Everyone is in a good mood, because it feels good helping our military know that they are cared and loved for.

 

My daughter has decided that this is her go-to volunteer spots plans to come here as much as she’s able to all year round.  My hubby and I will happily come along. It’s become our family’s favorite non-profit charitable organization. I literally get chills when we volunteer at Operation Gratitude.  Everyone should experience a volunteer day here.  I promise you’ll get chills here, too.

 

 

Check out their website for assembly dates at operationgratitutde.com. They have other volunteer work during the week, as well. You can volunteer for as many hours as you’re able to.  There are sitting, standing and walking jobs.  One thing for sure, you’ll be smiling the whole time!  Located at 21100 Lassen Street, Chatsworth, CA 91311