May 19, 2025 | Impact
It Started with One Goal—and One 15-Year-Old
In 2004, a 15-year-old high school student from Orange County, California, set out to complete a community service project. Her idea was simple yet ambitious: collect and send one million letters of appreciation to U.S. service members deployed around the world. That student was Shauna Fleming, and her project would soon spark a nationwide movement known as A Million Thanks®.
What began as a local effort quickly gained traction. Just three weeks after launching the campaign, Shauna found herself at the center of a growing national cause. Letters poured in by the tens of thousands each week—from individuals, schools, churches, businesses, and organizations eager to say thank you.
From the White House to the Front Lines
In just six months, Shauna and her team of volunteers achieved what they set out to do—one million letters sent. The milestone letter, written on behalf of grateful Americans everywhere, was framed and personally delivered to President George W. Bush in the Oval Office of the White House.
But Shauna didn’t stop there. With each new goal came more letters, more awareness, and more impact. She personally delivered milestone letters to top military leaders, including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Richard Myers, further cementing the campaign’s connection to those it was created to serve.
Beyond the Million: Growing a National Network
As the years passed, A Million Thanks continued to grow. With over 50 official letter drop-off locations across the country, the organization made it easier than ever for Americans to get involved. To date, millions of letters have been collected and distributed to troops deployed overseas, recovering in military hospitals, or returning home from service.
On the 10th anniversary of the organization, Shauna expanded its mission to include two additional efforts:
Though the organization eventually returned to focusing exclusively on its core mission—letter writing—these programs exemplified the heart behind A Million Thanks: gratitude in action.
Media, Advocacy, and the Power of One
Shauna’s work gained national recognition, earning partnerships with brands like General Motors, Shutterfly, Southwest Airlines, and NASCAR, as well as public support from figures like Gary Sinise and Jessica Simpson. She shared her story on stages across the country and in her book, A Million Thanks: My Campaign to Send One Million Letters to Our Troops, published by Doubleday.
She became the teen spokesperson for the Department of Defense’s “America Supports You” initiative and the White House’s “USA Freedom Corps,” representing youth involvement in volunteerism. Her advocacy took her to the Pentagon, the President’s Inaugural Youth Concert, and even center stage at Talladega Superspeedway in front of 200,000 NASCAR fans.
Shauna also hosted “A Million Thanks Radio” on wsRadio.com—becoming the youngest radio talk show host in the country at the time.
A Mission That Still Matters
Today, A Million Thanks remains committed to one clear mission:
To support and uplift our military through handwritten letters of appreciation—for as long as the United States has a military.
With millions of letters sent and millions more still to go, the campaign continues to prove that a simple “thank you” can go a long way. Whether from a child drawing a picture or a veteran writing to fellow service members, each letter reminds someone in uniform that their service is seen, valued, and appreciated.
As William Arthur Ward once wrote,
“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”
Thanks to A Million Thanks, millions of Americans have had the chance to unwrap that gift—and pass it on.
May 16, 2025 | Letters to Veterans
One Note, Meant for Thousands
Not every letter we receive at A Million Thanks is addressed to a specific service member. Some, like this one, are written with the hope that every single person serving our country could read it. That’s exactly what makes this note so powerful.
The writer begins with a simple, sincere wish:
“I would like to send a card to everyone! To tell them thank you!”
It’s not a long message, but it’s packed with gratitude. With phrases like “Great job” and “Keep up the good work,” the writer reminds us that appreciation doesn’t have to be complex. Sometimes, the best way to say thank you is just to say it—clearly, boldly, and from the heart.
A Handwritten Reminder: You Matter
What stands out most about this letter isn’t fancy wording or deep storytelling—it’s the tone. This letter feels like it’s coming from a neighbor, a grandparent, or someone who thinks about our service members every single day. It closes with a handwritten smiley face, and the final line:
That’s what makes it special. It feels personal, even without a signature. The letter reminds us that behind every soldier, sailor, airman, and Marine is someone at home who cares—someone who may never meet them, but still keeps them in their thoughts and prayers.
Letters Like This Make a Difference
This is what A Million Thanks is all about—people using their own words, their own handwriting, and their own hearts to say what matters. Whether your message is one paragraph or one page, it could be the encouragement someone needs to keep going.
Just like this letter, your words have power. They remind our military that they are seen, valued, and appreciated—by people they may never meet, but who are grateful for everything they do.
Nov 19, 2019 | Military Response
Sometimes, what travels the farthest isn’t a supply drop or a mission order—it’s a message from home. Recently, Command Sergeant Major Paul E. Luce of Task Force Chamberlain in Afghanistan shared how one box of letters delivered more than just paper. It delivered strength.
A Surge in Morale, Straight From the Heart
“We received a box full of wonderful cards today from kids from all over the country,” wrote Sgt. Maj. Luce, “basically ‘thanking’ our soldiers for answering the call to duty.” But these weren’t just simple messages. Many of them, he said, were deeply personal and heart-wrenching—filled with wisdom well beyond the years of the children who wrote them. For a unit based 5,000 miles from home, made up largely of soldiers from Maine, the cards made them feel like they had family everywhere.
Connection in the Midst of Sacrifice
The letter speaks candidly about the sacrifices made by both soldiers and their families in the fight against terrorism. “Their collective sacrifice has not gone unnoticed and is deeply appreciated,” he wrote. Still, letters from strangers back home provide a kind of reward no medal can match. “The reward is having our soldiers and families know they are helping the Afghan people realize a dream.”
That dream—a life free from terror, rich with the freedoms many Americans take for granted—gains power when those serving know they’re supported by people they’ve never even met.
Support That Keeps Them Mission-Ready
Sgt. Maj. Luce closed his letter by affirming the purpose of A Million Thanks: “Soldiers need to know that support exists for them on the home front, even from children who may not know the ramifications of war.” That kind of support, he said, helps keep soldiers in the right mindset to stay focused.
It’s a powerful truth: while soldiers fight to protect freedom, your letters help protect their morale.
Nov 19, 2019 | Military Response
Every letter sent through A Million Thanks carries more than ink and paper—it carries connection, hope, and motivation. Captain Doug Cullins, a U.S. Marine Corps officer stationed in Ramadi, Iraq, recently wrote to share just how deeply those letters impact his Marines.
A Boost When It’s Needed Most
Captain Cullins didn’t hold back: “Your support and patriotism has helped strengthen the resolve of our Marines.” In an environment filled with uncertainty and long days far from home, he described the letters as something that truly keeps his team going. These messages, often from people they’ve never met, remind them that they’re not forgotten—that their service matters.
Motivation From the Home Front
According to Captain Cullins, support from people back home—especially strangers—has a direct effect on morale. “It’s people like you that keep the Marines motivated and proud to serve our country,” he wrote. That kind of motivation is critical, especially for a unit on its fourth deployment. The simple act of receiving a handwritten card or note becomes a mental and emotional lift in the middle of a demanding mission.
A Reminder of Why They Serve
The Marines in his unit have seen the transformation of their environment—from conflict to rebuilding. And while the work is meaningful, it’s also exhausting. Letters from home help them stay mentally focused and emotionally grounded. They’re a reminder of the lives they’re protecting, the freedoms they’re upholding, and the people they’re making proud.
Your Letters Matter
Captain Cullins’ message is clear: letters make a difference. Not just symbolically, but practically—in the day-to-day mindset of those deployed overseas. “Please know that your support has significantly raised the morale of our Marines,” he wrote. That’s the power of your words.
Nov 19, 2019 | Military Response
In a quiet hospital room at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, a wounded soldier received a handwritten letter from a stranger. It was a simple message of thanks—but it came with the full weight of a nation behind it. That moment, shared by Lieutenant General Roger C. Schultz, is a clear example of how your letters make a lasting impact.
A Personal Delivery With Powerful Meaning
Lieutenant General Schultz, Director of the Army National Guard, wrote to thank A Million Thanks for the role it plays in supporting our troops. He personally distributed some of the letters sent through the program and saw the difference they made firsthand. “Your efforts make a difference in people’s lives and ensure our Soldiers know that their Nation is solidly behind them,” he said.
Uplifting Those Who Serve and Sacrifice
The letter emphasizes something we hear often from military leadership: morale matters. Whether on the battlefield or in recovery, encouragement from home has a powerful effect. Schultz wrote that the letters provide “needed encouragement” to the men and women in uniform—and help maintain their motivation in ways few other things can.
A Mission Shared by All
In recognizing the campaign, he added that the Army National Guard is proud to be a sponsor of A Million Thanks. “Young people like you demonstrate the strength and greatness of America,” he wrote, praising the initiative for bringing the country together in support of its defenders.
Nov 19, 2019 | Military Response
In Afghanistan, where the mission is as much about rebuilding as it is about defense, a simple message from home can carry extraordinary weight. Major Kent Anderson of the Qalat Provincial Reconstruction Team recently shared just how much the letters, pictures, and drawings sent through A Million Thanks have meant to his team of Soldiers and Airmen.
A Reminder That They’re Not Forgotten
“We truly appreciate all that you do for us,” wrote MAJ Anderson, “to include the pictures, drawings and letters of support.” In a region focused on governance, security, and reconstruction—supporting schools, clinics, and building roads—life is demanding. Morale is critical. These notes from strangers serve as meaningful reminders that people back home recognize their work and sacrifices.
Rebuilding Lives, Boosting Morale
The Soldiers and Airmen of Qalat PRT aren’t just protecting—they’re building. They work side by side with local government officials to meet the needs of the Afghan people. It’s hard, often unseen work. But each letter received is a form of acknowledgment, a way to show that their mission matters and their effort is seen.
Support That Goes Beyond the Battlefield
The photos, hand-drawn cards, and letters from across the country don’t just bring smiles—they bring connection. In a place far from home, your words remind our service members that they’re part of something bigger. They’re not just in a uniform—they’re part of a community that stretches from foreign soil back to every mailbox, classroom, and kitchen table in America.
Nov 19, 2019 | Military Response
When a box of letters arrived in Iraq for a combat medic unit, it wasn’t just mail—it was a morale boost, a reminder that people back home haven’t forgotten. Sgt. Fernando Velez, one of the NCOs in a combat medic team, wrote to A Million Thanks to share just how powerful those letters truly were.
Simple Words, Lasting Impact
At first, Sgt. Velez wasn’t sure what the package was. But before long, letters and cards were posted all over their working area, shared among soldiers who were deeply moved by the messages. “I must admit some of them were heartwarming others were so cute in their innocence,” he wrote.
He even photocopied a few to share with friends in other units—because some letters deserve to be read more than once.
Messages That Mattered
One letter, written by a child, read:
“Thank you soldiers for what you do.” The child drew a dozen soldiers lying in pools of blood and a few still fighting, adding, “my daddy didn’t come back.”
Another said: “Dear soldiers, if you’re reading this GOOD Job, it means your not dead!”—written in crayon with innocent honesty.
And the one they keep posted in the TOC:
“Dear soldiers, I respect what you do over there, helping Iraq people (I hope).”
These may be short notes, but they land with weight. These letters aren’t just morale boosters—they’re anchors. They ground soldiers in purpose, appreciation, and connection to the world they’re protecting.
A Kindness That Travels
Sgt. Velez closed his letter by saying he passed the box to the combat stress team to share with others who need it most. That’s how far your letter can go. It can lift one soldier, then another, then a team.
Nov 18, 2019 | Letters to Veterans
One Letter. A Thousand Thanks.
Sometimes, it only takes one letter to remind us why this mission matters.
Katie, a 20-year-old college student with no personal ties to the military, decided to write a letter through A Million Thanks. She didn’t know where it would go or who would read it. She just knew that someone, somewhere, needed to feel seen. Needed to feel appreciated. Needed to hear the words: “Thank you.”
“It is people like you who make me proud to be an American.”
Katie’s message was short, sincere, and full of heart. She thanked a stranger for their courage, their bravery, and their willingness to protect a country full of people they would likely never meet—including her. That kind of gratitude—simple, direct, and honest—can carry more weight than we realize.
Real People. Real Impact.
This is exactly what A Million Thanks is about. Not just letters—but connection. Not just words—but reminders that every service member matters. That their efforts, their sacrifices, and their daily acts of courage aren’t forgotten.
We send every letter knowing it might be the one that brightens a tough day, lifts a tired spirit, or simply reminds someone that their service is deeply valued.
Katie may never know who received her letter, but she showed up. She took five minutes to write something that could make a difference in someone’s life. That is the heart of this mission: ordinary people doing something meaningful for those who serve.
Want to Be Part of It?
Join us in sending gratitude across the globe—one letter at a time. Whether you’re an individual, a student, a parent, or part of a larger group, your words have the power to make a difference. It doesn’t take long to write a message of thanks, but the impact it has can last a lifetime.
Let’s show our service members—past and present—that their sacrifices are seen, their courage is honored, and their service is appreciated.
Nov 18, 2019 | Letters to Veterans
A Heartfelt Message from a Grateful American
Among the thousands of letters we receive at A Million Thanks, some stay with us. Katie’s letter is one of those. She’s not a soldier. She’s not from a military family. But she took the time to create something meaningful—because she wanted someone in uniform to feel seen.
Decorated with hand-drawn stars, bold words like “thank you” and “everything,” and a pink-and-blue American flag, Katie’s letter is full of emotion. It’s not polished. It’s not rehearsed. It’s real. And that’s exactly what makes it powerful.
Katie writes to an unnamed service member with sincerity and curiosity. She talks about bravery and sacrifice, imagining what it must be like to wear the uniform. She shares that her mom served as a military nurse and acknowledges how hard it is to step into the role of someone who serves. Even though she doesn’t know who will read her letter, she writes from the heart.
“First of all, I send a sincere thank you… I’m really, truly thankful for everything you’ve done for our country.”
This Is What A Million Thanks Is All About
We don’t ask for perfection. We ask for honesty, appreciation, and kindness. Katie’s letter is a reminder that anyone—at any age, from any background—can make a difference with just a few words.
When our service members receive letters like Katie’s, they don’t just see ink on paper. They see someone who took the time to care. They’re reminded that their sacrifices are noticed, their courage is honored, and their service is appreciated.
That’s the heart of A Million Thanks. We deliver letters filled with gratitude, hope, and support to active-duty, reserve, and veteran military personnel all around the world.
You Can Do This Too
You don’t need to know a service member to thank one. You don’t need the perfect words or fancy stationery. You just need a little time and a lot of heart—just like Katie. Your letter could be the one that brightens someone’s day when they need it most.
Nov 18, 2019 | Letters to Veterans
A Young Voice of Gratitude
When we talk about the power of gratitude, we often think of adults writing to express appreciation. But sometimes, it’s the youngest voices that say it best. Charles, a 4th grade student from George White Elementary School in Laguna Niguel, California, wrote a letter that captures everything A Million Thanks stands for—honor, appreciation, and inspiration.
In his carefully handwritten message, Charles thanks the men and women of our military for their courage, sacrifice, and patriotism. He recognizes that their service allows people back home to live normal lives, and he doesn’t take that for granted.
“Thank you very much for your courage, sacrifice, and patriotism so we can have normal life at home.”
Inspiration from the Next Generation
What makes Charles’s letter even more powerful is his sense of responsibility. He draws a connection between the commitment of our service members and his own goals—promising to be a straight A student and prepare himself to serve his country one day. It’s a beautiful reminder that gratitude isn’t just a feeling—it can be a call to action.
His letter ends with well wishes for Easter and a heartfelt “best luck to you,” reminding us that appreciation can be warm, simple, and deeply human.
Paired with a hand-drawn soldier and American flag, Charles’s letter is more than a note—it’s a keepsake of hope and patriotism from one generation to another.
Why These Letters Matter
This is exactly why A Million Thanks exists. Every letter—no matter the age of the writer—has the power to lift spirits, offer encouragement, and show appreciation to those who serve. Charles’s words may come from a child, but they speak to a universal truth: those who protect our freedom deserve to be thanked.
