Team U-Haul Volunteers Help Pack Veterans Day Cards

Nov 9, 2016

U-Haul has teamed up with Gold Star Mom and founder of The Tribute Journey, Kathryn Cross. Together, we help pack and deliver custom-made Veterans Day cards this year.

The Tribute Journey

Cross has been making cards for veterans since 2009. This is a tribute to her son, OSSN Tyler J. Connely, who was killed serving his country. Cross started the Tribute Journey to let service members, past and present, that they are never forgotten. Cross crafts the images and poetic verses. U-Haul prints the cards at the Phoenix headquarters.

Most recently, Cross went on the U-Haul sponsored Tribute Journey. There, she traveled 8,263 miles. She stopped at 16 hospitals across eight states and three Canadian provinces. Along the way, she handed out more than 5,400 cards to Veterans.

Team U-Haul VolunteersU-Haul Volunteers Step In

The demand for these cards continued to grow. This is where Team U-Haul volunteers were needed.

“This particular shipment consists of over 54,000 cards that will be shipped across the country to various veteran organizations, non-profits and VA hospitals,” stated Ashleigh Wagner, Senior Communications and Community Relations Specialist for U-Haul International.

“We are so happy to have our Team U-Haul Volunteers help us pack these shipments, almost 200 shipments in total,” Wagner expressed.

First, Team U-Haul volunteers broke into teams helping with different parts of the packaging process. Next, one group assisted with counting out cards for each shipment. Another helped count out envelopes. Also, There was a group assembling boxes. Then, the last group helped pack the cards and envelopes into each box. Volunteers packed each shipment. Finally, a label with the intended destination was placed on the side of each box.

Team U-Haul Volunteers

A Show of Appreciation

“Volunteering for the Tribute Journey helped me understand how important it is to show appreciation for our service members, veterans and their families,” expressed Latasha Ross, U-Box Field Support and avid Team U-Haul Volunteer. “Through the Tribute Journey, I have learned to be more compassionate and thankful to our men and women that fight for our freedom”.

Team U-Haul Volunteers packed almost 200 shipments. The shipments varied in size from 10 cards to 2,500 cards. Larger shipments including deliveries to Navy ships at sea. Service members and veterans across the globe will be receiving these beautiful illustrated cards. They will get them just in time for Veterans Day. Thanks to Kathryn Cross and the help of Team U-Haul Volunteers.

U-Haul, was co-founded by WWII Navy Veteran L.S. Shoen and his wife, Anna Mary Carty Shoen. The company gets continuous recognition for its longstanding commitment to military and veterans organizations and non-profits.

Do you know of an organization or non-profit that would enjoy receiving cards from the Tribute Journey? Let us know in the comments below!

More articles like this one…

What’s New

Community Spirit: U-Haul Volunteers Help at André House

Community Spirit: U-Haul Volunteers Help at André House

Over half a million people face food insecurity in Maricopa County. Local nonprofits work daily to address this ongoing concern, but could not service those in need with the commitment of community and business members who choose to step up and help. U-Haul...

U-Haul Volunteers Gain Satisfaction from Service at St. Mary’s

U-Haul Volunteers Gain Satisfaction from Service at St. Mary’s

U-Haul® volunteers recently helped St. Mary’s Food Bank put a fresh spin on its mission to provide food for people in need across Arizona. Thanks to St. Mary’s partnership with meal-kit company HelloFresh®, people facing food insecurity can now receive both an...

Texas Panhandle Wildfires: U-Haul Offering 30 Days Free Storage

Texas Panhandle Wildfires: U-Haul Offering 30 Days Free Storage

U-Haul® is offering 30 days of free self-storage and U-Box® container usage to residents impacted by the wildfires across the Texas panhandle. The Smokehouse Creek Fire started on Monday and has burned more than 1 million acres. It’s the largest in the state’s...

U-Haul and ACS Join Forces in Climb to Conquer Cancer

U-Haul and ACS Join Forces in Climb to Conquer Cancer

The Climb to Conquer Cancer of Phoenix is the American Cancer Society’s largest single-day climb event in the world. Every February in Arizona, thousands of cancer survivors, family members, caregivers and supporters participate in the Climb to Conquer Cancer. U-Haul...

U-Haul, Tribute Journey Spread Valentine’s Day Love to Veterans

U-Haul, Tribute Journey Spread Valentine’s Day Love to Veterans

February 14 is not just Valentine's Day. It is recognized as a National Salute to Veteran Patients day. During Valentine's Day week each year, U-Haul and the Tribute Journey say “thank you” to veterans of the U.S. Armed Services who are cared for in Department of...

U-Haul International Moves with U-Box Makes Moving Abroad Easy

U-Haul International Moves with U-Box Makes Moving Abroad Easy

Every new year invites new adventures. If your 2024 adventures include moving abroad, U-Haul International Moves® is equipped and licensed to support your exciting transition each step of the way. The U-Haul® brand is known globally for empowering do-it-yourself...

U-Haul Helps Kurt Warner Charity Change Lives of Arizona Family

U-Haul Helps Kurt Warner Charity Change Lives of Arizona Family

When Luz decided to apply for Habitat for Humanity of Central Arizona’s Homeownership Program, she had no idea just how much of an impact it would have on her son, Jason. The family met Habitat’s criteria and completed more than 400 hours of “sweat equity” by working...

U-Haul Recognizes Its 2023 Volunteers of the Year

U-Haul Recognizes Its 2023 Volunteers of the Year

TEMPE, Ariz. — Michelle Vukov-Mikel and Michele Ramirez have been honored as the U-Haul® Volunteers of the Year for 2023. At the end of each year, U-Haul recognizes the Team Member(s) who has volunteered the most hours, supported the greatest number of U-Haul charity...