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.
U-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.
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!
