Crochet for Good:
OPERATION
GRATITUDE
By Shelene Codner
For those passionate about crochet,
one of life’s greatest joys is an enthusiastic, heartfelt
thank-you from the benefi ciaries of your crocheted
creations. For novice and expert crocheters alike,
receiving acknowledgment that your time, talents,
and sacrifi ces are truly and deeply appreciated is
extremely gratifying. Undeniably, receiving thanks is
rewarding, but using your crocheting talents to give
thanks is equally—if not more—fulfi lling. Crocheters
of all skill levels can express their gratitude to those
making signifi cant sacrifi ces in protecting and
serving the public by crocheting and donating scarves
and hats through Operation Gratitude’s Handmade
with Love program.
A labor of love for founder Carolyn Blashek,
Operation Gratitude started as one woman’s mission
to serve those who serve. Th e organization, which
began in Carolyn’s living room in 2003, has expanded
exponentially since those very humble beginnings.
Th rough the generosity of volunteers, donors, and
sponsors, Operation Gratitude has sent more than
2.3 million care packages to deployed troops, fi rst
responders, veterans, recruit graduates, wounded
heroes, caregivers, and military families.
Care packages vary in content, depending on their
fi nal destination and the availability of items.
However, there are core items that gracious volun-
teers lovingly pack into every box. Th ese items
include letters of gratitude from volunteers across
the country; items that are diffi cult to obtain in some
geographic locations such as coff ee, energy drinks,hygiene items, socks, and magazines; and Handmade
with Love items, which Operation Gratitude represen-
tatives confi rm are among the most cherished items of
the heroes on the receiving end.
Th e Handmade with Love items provide warmth,
literally and fi guratively, as evidenced by the many
letters from recipients. One person wrote:“Hello! I just wanted to write you a quick note
and tell you thank you SO much for your adorable
knit hat and scarf! I recently had to fl y
somewhere quite a bit colder than where I am
stationed and I didn’t bring any cold weather
gear, so I grabbed a hat and scarf to help me stay
warm! Your thoughtfulness and sacrifi ce bring
happiness to my heart and help while I am away
from my beautiful wife and two boys. Th ank you
again and may God bless you for your
thoughtfulness and sacrifi ce! Sincerely, M.M.”Th ank-you notes to Operation Gratitude and to
individual crocheters and knitters express how touched
the recipients are that volunteers found the time and
used their talents to create a unique, handmade item
exclusively for them. Th e items also provide a reminder
from home. Th e handmade pieces, along with thePhot
osprovided^
byO
perationG
ratitudeContinued on page 7674 Interweave Crochet • Winter 2020
feature