Operation Backpack
USA Cares Volunteers Sharing the Sacrifice
On a visit to a military medical facility we met a young amputee who was being discharged. He was very excited and thanked us for visiting. He said he had to “pack” and reached for the trash bag left the night before and began stowing his personal items from the drawers and folding clothing to make it all fit.
This is where Operation Backpack began—in an effort to assure that America’s finest never have to pack their belongings in a trash bag! Providing these items is a small way of assuring that they have a way to store and secure personal items, as well as to carry them home when discharged. Our service members are sometimes flown into hospitals with nothing; some go home in a hospital gown, and some with lost limbs. These items are a way to show that we are out here and we care.
Your mission if you choose to accept it:
- Collect the needed items—medium-sized backpacks, duffle bags or satchels—remember service members can be either male or female
- Sew or iron on a patch/flag, or attach a small card or note (Hospitals will not accept sealed envelopes)
- Help us find donors by contacting local retailers or researching luggage companies and ask them to support our efforts
- Once the items are collected, send group photos for our website with the name of your group and individuals
Send items to:
USA Cares, Inc.
C/O: Operation Backpack
562B N. Dixie Boulevard, Suite #3
Radcliff, KY 40160
You can also help USA Cares with this project by making monetary donations that will help with postage and handling.
