CREATING MEMORIES THAT LAST A LIFETIME

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The All-Volunteer group has organized the delivery of over $3,123,098.00 in Post Exchange Service gift cards and corporate donations to the wounded troops at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Hospital in Bethesda, MD.  The program has 91 organizations or individuals who have become co-sponsors to the program by purchasing $1,000 of Post Exchange gift cards (in $25.00 amounts) and in doing so, they have the opportunity to send one representative to hand deliver their donation to the wounded troops (at the person’s own expense, which enables each organization or individual to deliver 100% of their donation to the wounded troops).

Operation Gift Cards has received the following awards/special recognition: 6 national, 21 statewide, 4 military, and 6 regional/local awards.  The majority of the awards were presented by four of the largest national veteran’s organizations.

 

The Stamford Halloween Yacht Club’s Hooks for Heroes program produced a six-minute video describing Operation Gift Cards and how the program assisted some of the patients at Walter Reed.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtdnzWy7OC8

 

Operation Gift Cards also coordinates the participation of Walter Reed patients and alumni in local events like the Branford’s First Congregational Church’s Take a Vet Fishing Program, the Stamford Halloween Yacht Club’s Hooks for Heroes Program, and Kathy Granfield’s Veteran Angler Charters.

 

SUPPORTING OUR WOUNDED TROOPS AND THEIR FAMILIES

 

Our all-volunteer program is dedicated to assisting wounded and injured troops and their families at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD, and the SRU at Fort Belvoir, VA. Over the course of 20-3/4 years and 250 monthly visits, our 91 co-sponsors have contributed significantly to this effort, presenting more than $3,025,630.00 in support.

 

CONTRIBUTATIONS INCLUDE:

• 1/3 in AAFES (Post Exchange) Gift Cards

• 2/3 in corporate and individual product donations, such as personal care items and Girl Scout cookies

 

VOLUNTEERS AND SUPPORT:

• 392 representatives from our 91 co-sponsors have participated in two-day visits to personally deliver donations.

 

CONTINUING ASSISTANCE:

• We strive to support patients during their recovery at these facilities and provide assistance when they are discharged and return to Connecticut.

 

SPECIAL EVENTS:

• Three times a year, Walter Reed patients are invited to Connecticut for weekend fishing events, offering them a chance to relax and reconnect with nature.

 

This initiative is proudly led by a volunteer committee of 11 veterans, who ensure the program remains focused on uplifting and empowering those who have sacrificed so much.

 

OPERATION GIFT CARDS COMMITTEE:

Chairman and Founder: Al Meadows (al.meadows@snet.net), Co-Chairman: Buzz Ayles (wjayles430@optonline.net), Terry Pacitto, Juliet Taylor, Doug Newell, Pat Buzzeo, Dennis DiLulio, John Alberghini, Sherri Vogt, Jodi LoDolce, and Maj. Dan Eddinger (Ret).

 

• Operation Gift Cards completed 20-3/4 years of monthly visits to our wounded troops

• Presented more than $3,123,098.00 in support

• 1/3 in Post Exchange gift cards and 2/3 in personal care items

• Trips organized by an all-volunteer 11-member committee, all veterans

• 386 representatives from our 90 co-sponsors have participated in two-day visits to personally deliver donations

• Visits for 20-¾ years to Walter Reed, Bethesda MD, and for  years to Ft. Belvoir, VA

• We bring Walter Reed patients and caregivers to CT three times a year for two to three days for fishing events on Long Island Sound

• We strive to support patients during their recovery at these facilities and provide assistance when they are discharged and return to Connecticut

• We have received 37 awards and honors for our program, about half of the awards were from four of the five largest national veteran’s organizations