The Beckett Blog

Upper Deck has joined forces with Operation Gratitude, a non-profit organization that sends 100,000-plus “care packages” annually to U.S. service members, to launch a campaign to get trading cards — a little piece of home — into the hands of military troops serving overseas.

The Million Pack March for the Troops began on Wednesday, Veterans Day, with Upper Deck donating 100,000 packs of trading cards to start toward the goal of one million packs for soldiers by Veterans Day 2010.

Upper Deck will host donation drives at card shows, including the 2010 National Sports Collectors Convention in Baltimore, and work with UD Diamond Dealers and hobby shops to establish donation drop-offs.

“We are very excited to partner with a dignified organization like Operation Gratitude,” said Kerri Kauffman, Upper Deck’s Director of Marketing, in a news release. “The hard-working and brave U.S. military men and women who are serving overseas deserve a fun distraction to help them get through their difficult days.”

A recent issue of Beckett Sports Card Monthly profiled a few collectors who recently received collector care packages while in Iraq, and it’s a request that Upper Deck receives quite frequently.

People interested in donating any sealed packs of Upper Deck cards can send them to the following address:

Operation Gratitude/California Army National Guard

Attn. Upper Deck’s Million Pack Drive to Support the Troops

17330 Victory Boulevard

Van Nuys, CA 91406