SEMINOLE, Fla. — Graci Tubbs launched Operation: Military Matters when she was 9 years old. It was a small school project. You know, community outreach stuff.
The then-grade-schooler from Seminole was inspired by an unsettling talk with World War II veterans.
"They didn't feel cared for," Graci says. "They felt pushed away. It made me so sad. I wanted to do something about it."
So she did. And then some.
Graci is 14 now. Her successful nonprofit has shipped some 5,000 loving care packages to men and women in the U.S. military members stationed all over the world.
Each box is filled with letters, snacks, homemade items and more.
Anyone can submit a soldier's name on the Operation: Military Matters website.
Packing parties, which include mom Kadi and best pal Maddie Russo, go down at the Realty Experts warehouse in Seminole.
"I can't stop now," Graci says. "I have to keep going for them."
This December, Graci is teaming up with the the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce for a series of "Stuff the Boat at Christmas Movies" events.
Information about the event is in the following image:
