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.
Mar 20, 2019 | Military Response
In a letter written with care and humility, Gunnery Sergeant Spanky Gibson shared what a simple box of letters meant to him and his fellow Marines. The impact wasn’t just personal—it was deeply collective. These weren’t just notes; they were reminders that someone was thinking of them, rooting for them, and caring enough to write.
A Box of Letters, A Box of Encouragement
GySgt. Gibson thanked A Million Thanks for the entire box of letters, saying he had already passed them around and hoped his fellow Marines would write back. “What you are doing is such an amazing feat for a young woman. You are definitely a blessing,” he wrote. That box didn’t just deliver mail—it delivered morale.
A Marine’s Journey, and a Nation’s Gratitude
With nearly 19 years of service, GySgt. Gibson had seen and sacrificed much. He wrote from Camp Fallujah, Iraq, reflecting on the day he was injured during a firefight. He was shot above the knee and ultimately lost his leg. But his message wasn’t one of pain—it was one of pride. “Thank God they got me out of there alive and I return to Iraq to continue to support what we’re doing.”
Why Letters Matter
For GySgt. Gibson, the mission was clear: helping Iraq rebuild and become a new, peaceful country. But equally clear was the value of support from back home. “We all appreciate what you are doing,” he wrote. That appreciation goes beyond any one letter—it’s about what those letters represent: unity, compassion, and the power of being remembered.
Mar 18, 2019 | Military Response
When a handwritten card reaches a soldier in a hospital bed, it brings more than paper and ink—it brings comfort, connection, and a reminder that their sacrifices are seen. Chaplain John L. Kallerson, serving at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, recently shared the profound impact that these letters have on wounded soldiers and their families.
Simple Acts, Lasting Comfort
Chaplain Kallerson wrote to express gratitude for the cards sent to patients at Walter Reed, saying it was a privilege for chaplains to pass along these “acts of kindness” to those recovering. “Your thoughtful gifts will be well received,” he noted. “It is a blessing to be a small part of such a caring and compassionate act of service.”
For many soldiers, those small gifts are not just appreciated—they’re remembered. They become symbols of care that arrive during some of the hardest days of their lives.
Strength in the Face of Recovery
The chaplain highlighted how meaningful these letters are during moments of deep struggle. Soldiers and their families, facing long and painful recoveries, are lifted by the kindness of strangers. “You exemplify the best that America has to offer,” he wrote to A Million Thanks, reinforcing that your letters matter not only to the person receiving them—but to the entire network of care surrounding them.
You Never Know Who Your Letter Will Reach
From hospital beds to war zones, your words travel farther than you think. They bring peace where there’s pain, joy where there’s sorrow, and hope where it’s needed most.
Nov 28, 2016 | Impact
For 33-year-old Marine Corps veteran Casey Schaubslager, the roar of a NASCAR engine wasn’t just noise—it was a lifelong dream. Growing up, he imagined one day standing on the track, maybe even getting behind the wheel. But like many veterans, life after service brought a different kind of reality—one filled with responsibility, stress, and often, a search for connection.
Then, one day, an unexpected email landed in Casey’s inbox from A Million Thanks.
They wanted to send him to a NASCAR race.
A Dream Realized
On March 22, 2015, Casey stepped foot on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 400 track in Fontana, CA. It was his first-ever live NASCAR event, and the experience was everything he hoped for—and more.
“The experience was unreal,” Casey said. “What A Million Thanks did for me was more than just provide a ticket. The staff was unbelievably accommodating. It made a portion of my life less stressful and gave me the chance to just have fun for a while.”
More Than a Race
What stood out to Casey wasn’t just the race—it was the gesture. That someone cared enough to offer him a day of joy and appreciation made a lasting impression. “It has made me realize how a simple gesture and appreciation event can be fulfilling for a veteran,” he shared. “To see that someone cares—it mattered.”
That moment of support turned into motivation. Today, Casey serves as the Program and Outreach Coordinator for The Wounded Heroes Fund in Bakersfield, California. The nonprofit helps fellow veterans transition into civilian life by offering everything from financial assistance to equine therapy, family programs, service dog training, and monthly community events like hikes, date nights, and movie nights.
From One Act of Kindness to a Life of Service
Casey’s journey is proof that the impact of support doesn’t stop with one person—it grows. That single NASCAR wish turned into a lifelong mission to give back. What began with an email from A Million Thanks now fuels a career spent helping others who served.
A Million Thanks would like to thank our partners at U.S. Rigging and Pelican Rope for helping make this wish possible.
