For some soldiers, a letter is the only contact they have with home. The UCLA Volunteer Center has set a goal of sending handwritten letters and care packages to military service members and veterans each year, in partnership with Operation Gratitude, a nonprofit organization based in Chatsworth, CA. All five branches of the military are sent letters: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. You can help UCLA honor those who serve by writing a letter or organizing a group writing event. Operation Gratitude has sent over 600,000 care packages since 2003, and UCLA is the first large-scale university the organization has paired with to increase these efforts.
The purpose of an Operation Gratitude letter is to let members of the military know that their service is appreciated. You can help UCLA honor those who serve by writing a letter or organizing a group writing event. Operation Gratitude has sent over 600,000 care packages since 2003, and UCLA is the first large-scale university the organization has paired with to increase these efforts
“Your actions, and those of your students, demonstrate your commitment to supporting men and women who place themselves in harm’s way to safeguard the freedoms we all hold dear.”
—Mark McDonald, Major General, U.S. Army
(Read full letter)
“These expressions of love and concern from fellow citizens offer our Military a much-deserved respite from the hardships of service, and are always greeted with enthusiasm and great appreciation.”
—Carolyn Blashek, President, Operation Gratitude
(Read full letter)
How to Participate in Operation Gratitude:
Individuals
Individuals may pick up letter writing supplies at Operation Gratitude mailboxes located around campus, or stationary can be downloaded here. Please see below for the location of mailboxes around campus and tips on what to include in your letter.
Groups
View Operation Gratitude Drop-Off
Your letter is a meaningful way to show support of military service members. Remember, your letter is intended to bring a smile to the reader. Keep your writing positive and respectful.
The letters are intended to be supportive; please refrain from using references to politics, overly religious language, and mentioning death or killing.
Letter Writing Tips:
- Start with a salutation, such as “Dear Service Member” or “Dear Hero”
- Share your background family, pets, favorite sports or hobbies
- Express your gratitude for the service members’ efforts
- Keep the tone upbeat
- Draw a picture if no words come to mind
18,198
Total Number of Operation Gratitude Letters
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Please share this campaign with your friends and colleagues on social media: post on the Volunteer Center Facebook page about your experience writing an Operation Gratitude letter, or tweet @uclavolunteer your photos and letter excerpts.
Thank you to generous campus partners who have written letters and helped facilitate the process. With your support, we will meet our goal.
- Alpha Chi Omega
- Alpha Delta Pi
- Alpha Phi Omega
- Alumni Affairs
- Alumni Scholars Club
- American Medical Student Association (AMSA)
- Association of Graduate Counselors and Advisors (AGCA)
- Athletics
- Beta Theta Pi
- Blueprint Summer Programs
- Bruin Belles
- Bruin Corps
- Bruin Resource Center
- Channel Island Bruins
- Club Taekwondo
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- Delta Delta Delta
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- Pi Kappa Alpha
- Project SPELL
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- Recreation & Campus Life
- Recreation’s Student Leadership Employee Advisory Council
- San Fernando Valley Bruin Alumni Network
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- Special Events and Protocol
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- TEDxUCLA
- The Writer’s Den
- Theta Tau
- Writing Programs
- UCLA Foundation Board
- Undergraduate Student Association Council (USAC)
- Veterans Resource Center
- Women’s Club Lacrosse Team
- Wushu
- Zeta Beta Tau
Other Resources for Veterans
UCLA offers many on-campus supportive services for student veterans, state-of-the-art cosmetic and reconstructive surgery for warriors wounded during service overseas, and groundbreaking research revolutionizing the way the U.S. military does business. Learn more at UCLA Veterans: See What UCLA Is Doing For Veterans.
