Carolyn Blashek

Carolyn Blashek is the founder of Operation Gratitude, the California- based 501 (c) (3) non-profit, volunteer-based organization that annually sends 100,000+ care packages of snacks, entertainment items and personal letters of appreciation addressed to individually named U.S. Service Members deployed overseas, to their children and families left behind, to Wounded Warriors recuperating in transition units and to First Responders on the front lines at home. Its mission is to lift morale, bring a smile to a service member's face and to express the appreciation and support of the American people. Since its inception in March, 2003, Operation Gratitude has shipped more than 760,000 packages to American service members deployed overseas.

Blashek was born and raised in Manhattan. Following graduation from Columbia Law School in 1979, she moved to Los Angeles with her husband and fellow-classmate, Robert. Together they raised two children, two dogs and several cats.