As more than 2000 volunteers, corporate sponsors and other special guests looked on in surprise, founder Carolyn Blashek hand-delivered Operation Gratitude’s milestone 750,000th Care Package to its special recipient, a decorated combat veteran and wounded warrior, Sgt. Eric Rodriguez.

“Today, less than a year later,” explained Blashek, “Sgt. Rodriguez is not just walking upright with a prosthetic, he skis, surfs, and competes in Wheelchair Basketball, football and rugby, and after one more surgery, plans to stay in the Marine Corps, return to Afghanistan with his Scout Sniper platoon and ‘finish up business.’”

Check out the Operation Gratitude blog for all the amazing items donated by our favorite Los Angeles sports teams, Target, Disney, The Rachael Ray Show and more!