133AW and Best Buy Corporate join together to support Operation Gratitude Published Nov. 17, 2015 By Tech Sgt Lynette Olivares 133rd Airlift Wing Bloomington, Minn. -- Airmen from the 133rd Airlift Wing and employees from Best Buy Corporate joined forces to support Operation Gratitude at the Best Buy corporate headquarters in Bloomington, Minn., Friday, Nov. 6, 2015. Operation Gratitude is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, volunteer-based corporation, funded entirely by private donations. Every year, Operation Gratitude sends more than 150,000 individually-addressed care packages to Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines deployed overseas. On Friday, more than 30 members from the 133rd Airlift Wing worked side-by-side with employees of Best Buy Corporate to pack bags filled with snacks, small electronics and other items to be shipped to deployed military members overseas. The efforts paid off and the group packed nearly 1,800 bags in under an hour. "This was a great opportunity for our members to come out into the local community and support a cause that hits close to home for us," said Capt. Winnie Tan, Diversity and Inclusion Officer for the 133rd Airlift Wing. "Best Buy Corporate did a great job of setting up the logistics and made a fun and inviting atmosphere for everyone involved." The efforts consisted of multiple long tables filled with headphones, wireless speakers and portable battery packs, along with snacks and other small goodies and a thank you note to the troop who will receive the Best Buy care bag. "It was a great feeling to be able to bring two things I enjoy so much together for one cause," said Airman 1st Class Matt Jesse, 133rd Comptroller Flight, Finance Services Specialist and an employee at Best Buy Corporate. "Even though I am a relativity new Airman, it was great to see such an outpouring of support with my employer and co-workers there." Best Buy is a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Company and this year was Best Buy's fifth year supporting the non-profit organization. To learn more about Operation Gratitude, visit them at: https://www.operationgratitude.com.