Operation Appreciation

Would You Like to Brighten the Day for a Military Family?

Blue Star Families would like to give a big THANK YOU to all the people, organizations and especially students and schools who have participated in Operation Appreciation. We also want to give a shout out to first lady Katie O'Malley for creating a platform and encouraging the State of Maryland to take part. Click here to read the article.

The last eight years of war have been tough on America's service members and their families. But, while service members are often thanked – and rightfully so – for all that they have risked and sacrificed in order to keep our country safe, rarely is the same thanks extended to their family members.

Spouses, children and parents have spent countless nights worrying and countless days exhaustedly trying to fill in the gaps left when a family member deploys. Likewise, veterans who are no longer in uniform are often forgotten when thanks are passed around.

The most significant result of Blue Star Families Military Life Issues Survey was that 94% of respondents felt that “the general public does not truly understand or appreciate the sacrifices made by service members and their families.”

A disconnect means just that – the connection is broken. That means that all of you well-meaning, grateful civilians are also lacking a way to express your gratitude. BSF would like alleviate that disconnect through our new program, “Operation Appreciation.” Through this innovative program, members of the community who would like to support our military families can send cards expressing heartfelt thanks, solidarity, or just good old-fashioned encouragement. The writer can choose to write a card to the parent, spouse or child of a military member, or to a veteran of the armed services. In the wake of the Ft. Hood tragedy, the writer may also write a note of condolence and thanks to a family member in the Ft. Hood community. All of the recipients will be current members of Blue Star Families.

Operation Appreciation This is your chance to let America's military community know how much you appreciate all that they have sacrificed in order to keep our country safe.

This program is perfect for school age classrooms (K-12) looking for a project, community organizations, youth groups, church groups, and individual citizens who want to support our military members and their families but don’t know how.

To print the Operation Appreciation Information Packet click here. If you’d like a PDF version of expanded guidelines please email programs@bluestarfam.org

The process is simple:

1. Write a card (any type of card will do) targeted for:

                   (1). Parent of a servicemember
                   (2). Spouse of a servicemember
                   (3). Child of a servicemember
                   (4). Veteran

Operation Appreciation

2. Write the corresponding number for the recipient (1. for Parent, 2. for Spouse, etc.) on the envelope by the address line.

***To send a note of condolence to a BSF member in the Ft. Hood community, write Ft. Hood on the envelope.***

3. Mail the card, in an unsealed envelope, to:

BLUE STAR FAMILIES, PO BOX 1906, Chesapeake, VA, 23327 (If you're on the East coast.)

BLUE STAR FAMILIES, PO BOX 2810, FORT LEONARD WOOD, MO 65473 (If you're on the West coast.)

That's it! Blue Star Families will sort and send the card to a member of our organization who matches the card’s target.

This is an easy and rewarding way to support the families of those who are serving in our armed forces. While there are many efforts aimed at sending items and well-wishes to our deployed troops, no such program is currently in operation to show such support to those serving on the homefront. Imagine the pride of a parent who receives a letter of appreciation for the service of their child...or the excitement of a child who gets a card recognizing his own service, here at home, waiting on mom or dad to come home. Picture the smile on the face of a military spouse, after putting the kids down for bed, opening up a card that simply says, “thank you." Sometimes small gestures can make a huge difference.

Please say you’ll join us in this effort.

Operation Appreciation

Would You Like to Brighten the Day for a Military Family?

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