Celebrant Pam Vetter


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Operation Gratitude at Chaminade
Contributed by: Pam Vetter

11/3/06 Valley News Article

A spirit of gratitude fills the air at Chaminade College Preparatory High School in West Hills. Chaminade's High School Athletic Department is actively accepting donations for Operation Gratitude in support of our troops.

Operation Gratitude, based in Encino, is known throughout the country. It was started by Valley resident Carolyn Blashek.

"I started the program in March 2003 when I met a soldier who was going back overseas. His mother had died and his wife left him. He told me he didn't think he'd make it back home, but it didn't matter because no one would care," Blashek explained. "Every service member needs to know Americans care. This is not about politics or war. This is a humanistic effort."

Joe Shapiro, Director of Athletics at Chaminade, suggested this community service drive because he personally knows about our troops.

"My 27-year-old sister, Jessica Shapiro, was in Iraq a year ago. She's part of the Army Reserves and she was there for nine months as a pilot flying Black Hawk Helicopters. As part of Medivac, she flew our injured troops. I thank God she made it back safely," Shapiro said. "Community service is important to our school. Here we are living in beautiful, sunny Southern California. We're fortunate to have the freedoms we have. Many of us, including students, take that for granted. So, it's nice to have a program like Operation Gratitude to remember people who are fighting so hard for our freedom."

Shapiro credits the teachers who adopt the idea in the classroom and the students for taking part. "It's the entire Chaminade community. We're collecting at both the high school and middle school campuses. We're also opening up our bins to the community. If you have toiletries, sundries, staples, stationery, or letters for our troops, we welcome you to drop off items at our high school. These care packages are so important to each and every service person," Shapiro said. "Operation Gratitude is a great program that benefits our troops nationally and internationally. Chaminade is proud to be a part of it. We want it to give our students an awareness of others, a sense of gratitude, so they'll carry that spirit into adulthood. Our troops deserve all of our positive energy."

Andrew Ellis, 17, a senior who plays on Chaminade's golf team and is an aspiring filmmaker, believes in supporting Operation Gratitude. "Regardless whether you're for or against the war, Americans are fighting for our country and putting their lives on the line. It's the least we can do to send our gratitude. A little bit of home goes a long way," Ellis said.

Junior Joy Samuels, 16, who runs cross country in track and field plans on being a doctor in sports medicine one day. "I think it's positive for young people to learn more and get involved. I'm planning on writing letters to encourage them and brighten their day. Maybe send them some games or something to remind them of home," Samuels explained. "I want to encourage everyone to take the time and donate."

Shanelle Sherlin, 16, plays on the girl's tennis team at Chaminade. She hopes to be a journalist one day. "This is a really good way to show our troops we care. Last year, my Grandpa sent letters and he got a letter back from the troops. You can put your return address on the letters if you want to," Sherlin said. "Writing letters is the best way to show we support them and care about them. Most importantly, make it personal."

Boy's Golf and Basketball Coach Bryan Cantwell encourages his student athletes at every turn. "We take a full two hour practice and write letters. When forty kids are writing letters, we end up with a couple hundred letters for our troops. We don't worry about missing a practice. Instead, it's about giving back," Cantwell said.

Chaminade parent Beth Johnson believes in community service. "I think it's a wonderful way to show our support of our troops," Johnson added.

Blashek sees the good in so many people across the nation and locally. "It's so wonderful that these young people, who are not that much younger than our troops, are recognizing the sacrifices others are making for them. The care packages and letters are meaningful for each service person who receives them. We've sent more than 153,000 care packages to our troops. Each package is individually addressed to a specific individual. We get thousands of letters of thanks in return from our troops," Blashek said. "I've learned a lot over the last three years. It has been uplifting to see Americans support and give to our troops. When I think we're out of money, here comes a check. When I think we're out of food, here comes food. I've discovered that people want to say thank you. Anyone who wants to get involved, there is a way to say thank you through us."

Chaminade deliveries will be made to Operation Gratitude this year on November 17 and December 15.

Blashek's group is currently using the National Guard Armory in Van Nuys for Operation Gratitude's Holiday Drive. However, Operation Gratitude will need a new space for their Patriotic Drive in March or April.

For more information on how you can help Operation Gratitude link to www.OpGratitude.com. www.OpGratitude.com.

For more information on Chaminade link to www.Chaminade.org.

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