Operation Appreciation

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

 Operation Appreciation (OpApp) is a program that aims straight for the hearts and minds of our troops and their families; allowing volunteers to make a personal connection with those who sacrifice so much for our country.

In our 2010 survey of military families we discovered that 92% of military family members feel that the general public does not truly understand or appreciate the sacrifices they make. Though we are hopeful that number doesn’t reflect the truth of the matter, it exposes the vulnerability and loneliness of the seemingly forgotten family pillars behind those serving, without whom service would simply not be possible.

Operation Appreciation 

Letters of Thanks for Military Families

OpApp encourages and organizes the writing of letters to military families, those in current service and veterans. 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.  All of the recipients will be current members of Blue Star Families. The program effectively bridges the gap between the civilian and military communities that otherwise leaves families feeling isolated. By offering direct communication of our feelings and our gratitude, we don’t just support, we uplift.

Download the Operation Appreciation Information Packet

Honor Cards: Honoring Their Service with Ours

Operation AppreciationNow with a new branch of Operation Appreciation called, “Honor Cards: Honoring Their Service with Ours,” volunteers can make pledges toward their chosen outlet of community service (mentoring, tree planting, shelter food service, etc.) in a gesture of thanks to the troops serving our country.

A simple yet sincere “thank you” and pledges of one’s own community service show our serving military members and their families that we honor their service and sacrifice. Clearly, being passively grateful is not enough. Our military needs to hear that we are actively grateful.

Operation Appreciation letters and Honor Cards are the perfect volunteer project for a, class, youth group, church group or company.

Download the Honor Card/Operation Appreciation Information Packet

Can't download?  Email opapp@bluestarfam.org for more information.

More articles on Operation Appreciation:

Honoring Service with Service for Veterans' Day

Operation Appreciation Travels to Afghanistan

Behind the Scenes with Operation Appreciation

BSF Celebrates Veterans Day with Michelle Obama & Dr. Biden

First Lady Katie O'Malley, Maryland Students Kick Off "Operation Appreciation" Letter Writing Campaign

Volunteers Reach Out to Military Families

iParticipate, Mrs. Obama, MLB & Dr. Biden Partner to Help Military Families

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