Crochet or Knit Scarves and Hats at Home as Gifts with Operation Gratitude
ALL SUMMER LONG! In the cold winter months, Operation Gratitude includes a lovingly handmade scarf or hat in every Care Package they send to the troops. To make that happen, they need the knitting and crocheting talents of volunteers across the country.
Make Cards For Care Packages at Home with Operation Gratitude
ALL SUMMER LONG! There is nothing more thoughtful and personal than a handwritten note inside a beautiful handmade card. Every care package Operation Gratitude sends not only includes handwritten letters from grateful Americans, but also blank greeting cards for our service members' own personal use. They invite you to put your paper crafting skills to work making blank cards that our deployed troops can then use to write home to their loved ones.
Host a Care Package Collection Drive with Operation Gratitude
ALL SUMMER LONG! Operation Gratitude's signature Care Packages are filled with donated items from grateful Americans and corporations. Show your support for our heroes by organizing a collection drive in your community. The items you collect will help them create the best Care Packages ever.
Write Meaningful Letters at Home and Make Someone’s Day with Operation Gratitude
ALL SUMMER LONG! Writing a letter is a simple and meaningful way for volunteers nationwide to say “Thank You” to all who serve. Your kind words could bring lasting joy to a Care Package recipient. Operation Gratitude includes handwritten letters in every Care Package sent to their Deployed Troops, Recruit Graduates, Veterans, Wounded Heroes, and First Responders. In these unprecedented times, the heroes need everyone's unwavering support. Taking the time to put pen to paper and share your heartfelt thoughts can be what motivates them to keep moving forward in their duties to our nation.
Support our Troops and Make Paracord Landyards at Home with Operation Gratitude
ALL SUMMER LONG! When you craft a paracord lanyard, you are providing a service member or first responder with a tangible and lasting expression of your gratitude and a symbol of the appreciation of grateful Americans everywhere. When your lanyards arrive at Operation Gratitude's facility, they will attach a carabiner that can be clipped onto almost anything to keep it within reach should an emergency arise. They include lanyards in their Care Packages because they're both functional and meaningful, as they are handmade by Americans who want to show their appreciation to Military and first responders.
Help Donate Beanie Babies to Soldiers Abroad with Operation Gratitude
ALL SUMMER LONG! Each year Operation Gratitude receives thousands of Beanie Babies from grateful Americans across the country, and one goes in every single Care Package they send to service members deployed around the world. They made Beanie Babies a signature item in their Care Packages not only because they bring smiles to the faces of deployed troops, but also because they help American forces build goodwill around the world. Do you have a collection of Beanie Babies, or small plush toys like Webkinz or Burt’s Bears, and are wondering what to do with them? Send them to Operation Gratitude and they will put them in the Care Packages they send to deployed Troops! OR Purchase Beanie Babies, Webkinz or other plush toys, or host a collection drive for new or gently used ones at your workplace, neighborhood or school.
Want to Help Fight Hunger? Help USHS By Volunteering For a Kitchen Shift
ALL SUMMER LONG! Interested in food prep and meal service? These volunteer shifts are an integral part of maintaining an efficient and successful kitchen and meal program. Volunteers must be at least 13 years old to volunteer in the kitchen with a chaperone and 16 to volunteer without one.
Help Cook a Meal for Folks at USHS
ALL SUMMER LONG! Union Station Homeless Services relies on the support of volunteer groups to provide daily home-cooked meals to shelter residents and community members in need. If your family, corporation, or civic group would like to cook and serve a meal at one of their shelters, consider sponsoring an Adopt-a-Meal! For details email volunteer@unionstationhs.org to schedule a date to serve at either their Adult Center or Family Center facility.
Make and Provide Lunches for Residents at USHS
ALL SUMMER LONG! Union Station Homeless Services needs volunteer groups to provide lunches for the shelter residents and community members in need. Email volunteer@unionstationhs.org to schedule a date to donate up to 50 sack lunches at their Adult Center – 412 S. Raymond Ave. Pasadena CA 91105 or Le Blanc ( 11652 Garvey Ave, El Monte 91732) housing site.
Help Provide Hygiene Kits for Folks at USHS
ALL SUMMER LONG! Union Station Homeless Services’ Hygiene Kits Program helps them provide people experiencing homelessness with a “Hygiene Kit” of necessary items. Please see flyer on their website for details and email volunteer@unionstationhs.org to schedule a delivery to their Adult Center – 412 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena, CA; Monday – Friday between 9 am – 4:00 pm.
Help USHS Provide Food By Donating Shelf Stable Kits to USHS
ALL SUMMER LONG! As food insecurity continues to rise, these shelf stable kits help USHS provide emergency food packs for their program participants and community members in need. These kits include shelf stable food items that are preservable and ready to eat. Check out the flyer on their website and email volunteer@unionstationhs.org to schedule a delivery.
Welcome People To Their New Homes by Donating Welcome Home Kits to USHS
ALL SUMMER LONG! Welcome Home Kits provide people moving in or out of one of our transitional or permanent housing facilities with a “Welcome Kit” of necessary items. This important program helps us meet the basic needs of the people we serve as they rebuild their lives and escape homelessness. Check out the flyer and email volunteer@unionstationhs.org to schedule a delivery to our Adult Center – 412 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena, CA, Monday – Friday between 9 am – 4:00 pm.
Help Provide Meals by Donating Essential Cooking Ingredients to USHS
ALL SUMMER LONG! USHS Adopt-an-Item program is a simple way to make a positive impact in your community. By adopting an item, you provide essential ingredients that help their kitchen staff cook delicious and nutritious meals for our residents. Check out their flyer on their website to view instructions on how to support and a list of current items available to adopt. To sign up, email us at volunteer@unionstationhs.org or call (626) 715-5004.
Help Whip Up Some Dinner for Vets at PATH
ALL SUMMER LONG! PATH provides meals to their residents in interim housing. When groups sign up to provide meals, it helps PATH focus its resources on providing housing and support services for their residents. Their male veterans in West LA love to have home-cooked meals from volunteers. Shifts are currently available at their West LA site. They understand not everyone is comfortable with on-site volunteering. If you want to support the male veterans, ask them about sponsoring a meal through a meal delivery service or catering!
Help Whip Up Some Lunch for Vets at PATH
ALL SUMMER LONG! PATH provides meals to their residents in interim housing. When groups sign up to provide meals, it helps PATH focus its resources on providing housing and support services for their residents. Their male veterans in West LA love to have home-cooked meals from volunteers. Shifts are currently available at their West LA site. They understand not everyone is comfortable with on-site volunteering. If you want to support the male veterans, ask them about sponsoring a meal through a meal delivery service or catering!
Help Whip Up Some Breakfast for Vets at PATH
PATH provides meals to their residents in interim housing. When groups sign up to provide meals, it helps PATH focus its resources on providing housing and support services for their residents. Their male veterans in West LA love to have home-cooked meals from volunteers. Shifts are currently available at their West LA site. They understand not everyone is comfortable with on-site volunteering. If you want to support the male veterans, ask them about sponsoring a meal through a meal delivery service or catering!
Help Whip Up Some Breakfast for Vets at PATH
PATH provides meals to their residents in interim housing. When groups sign up to provide meals, it helps PATH focus its resources on providing housing and support services for their residents. Their male veterans in West LA love to have home-cooked meals from volunteers. Shifts are currently available at their West LA site. They understand not everyone is comfortable with on-site volunteering. If you want to support the male veterans, ask them about sponsoring a meal through a meal delivery service or catering!
Help Whip Up Some Breakfast for Vets at PATH
PATH provides meals to their residents in interim housing. When groups sign up to provide meals, it helps PATH focus its resources on providing housing and support services for their residents. Their male veterans in West LA love to have home-cooked meals from volunteers. Shifts are currently available at their West LA site. They understand not everyone is comfortable with on-site volunteering. If you want to support the male veterans, ask them about sponsoring a meal through a meal delivery service or catering!
Help Whip Up Some Breakfast for Vets at PATH
PATH provides meals to their residents in interim housing. When groups sign up to provide meals, it helps PATH focus its resources on providing housing and support services for their residents. Their male veterans in West LA love to have home-cooked meals from volunteers. Shifts are currently available at their West LA site. They understand not everyone is comfortable with on-site volunteering. If you want to support the male veterans, ask them about sponsoring a meal through a meal delivery service or catering!
Help Whip Up Some Breakfast for Vets at PATH
PATH provides meals to their residents in interim housing. When groups sign up to provide meals, it helps PATH focus its resources on providing housing and support services for their residents. Their male veterans in West LA love to have home-cooked meals from volunteers. Shifts are currently available at their West LA site. They understand not everyone is comfortable with on-site volunteering. If you want to support the male veterans, ask them about sponsoring a meal through a meal delivery service or catering!
Featured Projects
Donate to Big Sunday’s Back to School Drive
Big Sunday,
nicolo@bigsunday.org,
(323)549-9944
ALL SUMMER LONG! Help send kids back to school in style by donating to Big Sunday's Back to School registry! This year, we've made it faster, easier, and more cost-effective by creating our own registry. Our goal is to fill over 4,000 backpacks, each containing one of the items listed on our registry. Purchase as many items as you like, and use our handy registry to contribute. Together, we can ensure students start their school year equipped and ready for success. Let's make a difference this summer!