By Daily Press staff
A local bar is extending its gratitude to the U.S. troops tonight and is asking the community to do the same.
O’Brien’s Pub on Main Street is hosting “Operation Gratitude,” which will collect requested items and ship them along with personal letters of appreciation to the troops stationed overseas. The care packages each cost between $10 and $30 to send.
Organizers hope the donations will give soldiers stationed indefinitely in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan and the Korean Peninsula “a little extra” to make their lives easier while they are away from their homes and loved ones.
The event starts at 7 p.m. and anyone with a donation will get a raffle ticket for a chance to win prizes, including concert tickets and dinner for two at the Key Club, and dinner for two at Schatzi’s on Main Street.
The requested donations are as follows: ■Global phone calling cards, CDs and DVDs (new or used), mini battery-operated fans, spray bottles, paperback books, magazines, puzzles, word game and crossword books, hand held electronic games, playing cards, foam footballs, basketballs and frisbees. ■Commercially packaged food, including powdered hot and cold drinks, soup mixes, microwaveable food such as macaroni and cheese, and Ragu express. Canned food including tuna, fruit, ravioli, meats and soups. Individually packaged snacks like Chex and Trail mix, nuts, cookies, candy, gum, power bars, dried fruit, beef jerky, Pringles, small jars of peanut butter, breath mints and sunflower seeds. ■Practical items like batteries, disposable cameras, socks, baseball caps, bandannas, T-shirts, visors, feminine hygiene products, cotton balls, assorted Ziploc bags, one cubic foot cartons and packing tape.
The pub, located at 2941 Main St., will offer complimentary appetizers, a live DJ and shot specials all night long.
“Operation Gratitude” is a grassroots project started by Encino resident Carolyn Blashek.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 29, 2003. Read the original PDF.