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:
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Granting wishes to service members injured in the War on Terror
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Providing scholarships to children of fallen military heroes
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.