LAKEPORT— Operation Tango Mike held an open house and packing party celebrating 20 years of service at their headquarters in the Lakeport Umpqua Bank on Thursday at 5 p.m. Volunteers of all ages gathered to enjoy dinner and cake while sharing uplifting stories of their experiences with the program, both on the giving and receiving ends, followed by a packing party where approximately 30 care boxes were crafted and packed for overseas shipping.
Ginny Craven founded Operation Tango Mike in 2003 when she began mailing care packages to deployed soldiers from her own home. In no time at all the need for expansion was imminent and with a generous offer from Umpqua Bank to use some unfilled office space for their operations at no cost, Operation Tango Mike had an official headquarters. Craven noted, “That was 14 years ago.” She expressed her gratitude for the bank’s donation of this space sharing, “We would not exist without this offer or support. Fourteen years of rent and utilities, there’s just no way.” Over the past 20 years Craven and Operation Tango Mike have sent almost 25,000 care packages to any deployed soldier in need of this service.
Currently the program has expanded beyond monthly care boxes as they have developed additional programs in honor of our local fallen soldiers, including handmade Christmas stockings that individuals can check out empty and return filled. Craven said, “As an organization there’s only so much we can do, but as an individual you can really make it a special Christmas for someone.”
Craven is also highly receptive to feedback from those receiving the packages, ensuring that their needs are fully met. Volunteer Janice Hornby said, “Ginny pays attention to detail. She had received feedback that they needed the ramen in the cups, not the bags, so she switched. Then they needed spoons, and now you see they come with a spoon.” Hornby also shared how Craven searches out necessary items through donations, and after hearing a cry for condiments, Craven was able to get crates of condiments donated from fast food establishments like Taco Bell.
Craven and her husband Ron Quick work tirelessly before, during and after the packing, as there is the collection of names and addresses, obtaining the goods, pre-packing set-up, fulfillment of the boxes, filling out customs forms, and the often three to six-hour monthly visits to the post office. Quick said, “It’s been a pleasure doing this, you feel it in your heart. If it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t have our freedom, that’s why we do it.” Craven continued the sentiment adding, “I’m so grateful we have been able to do this for 20 years. What an honor it is to receive the letters of gratitude, it’s we that need to appreciate what they’re doing.”
District 3 Supervisor Eddie Crandell re-read the proclamation made by the Board of Supervisors this past Tuesday as well as presented the organization with a commendation for their 20 years of community service.
“Lake County is home to many veterans who have experienced how far these care packages go for morale and motivation,” said Crandell. Several guests also shared their own personal experience. Vietnam Veteran Bob Perez shared, “When a guy gets a care package, it’s not just for him, it’s for everybody around him. We didn’t have you guys when I was in the service. We got it from our moms, our wives, but in a 10-man tent in Vietnam, you put that box down, and it’s gone.” Perez added, “This is so welcomed, and thank you guys so much for doing this.” Volunteers Teresa Owens and Anne Baker also expressed gratitude stating they were grateful and happy to be a part of the event. Many volunteers agreed on how rewarding the work is for them, and how happy they are in the days after packing.
The event was catered by Rosey Cooks, who donated their services, as the organization relies purely on fundraising and donation efforts. Craven said, “You can measure income, but you can’t measure the heart that this county has.” Members of the local 4H club, who are also designated box decorators, presented Operation Tango Mike with a donation of $1,000 right before the packing ensued. Wilda Shock, Volunteer and consultant for the city of Clearlake and member of a military family said, “There is a lot of community support, for this and the wreaths across America event, those are most important.”
