Operation Shoebox in the Villages, Florida

Who we are

Phone Number: (352) 307-6723

Operation Shoebox embraces a practical mission of providing hands-on support for our troops deployed overseas and returning home. It is the mission of Operation Shoebox to meet the needs of every hero with dignity and appreciation. Whether it looks like packing coffee, socks, toothpaste and sports gear into care packages or sending letters of encouragement, whether it looks like organizing fundraisers or collecting supplies for homeless veterans, Operation Shoebox is committed to treating every hero with care and honor.

The Operation Shoebox office is located at: 8360 E Hwy 25, Belleview, FL 34420

How we got here

Operation Shoebox was founded in 2003 by military mom Mary Harper. While five of her children, and two son’s in law, were deployed around the world, the central Florida mom learned from her kids that troops didn’t receive many care packages or mail. She rolled up her sleeves and started an informal care package project out of her living room. While troops receive the very basic necessities like meals and shelter from the U.S. military, Harper realized the need to boost morale with practical tokens of kindness in the form of snacks, personal care items, entertainment and thank-you notes to men and women stationed around the world. Her homegrown project grew into a full-fledged nonprofit organization so quickly that after just a few years of operation, Harper was honored at the White House for her work on behalf of the men and women of the armed forces. Whatever global events shape foreign policy, Mary continues her mission at the Operation Shoebox headquarters in Florida, where the organization ships between 800-1,000 care packages a week. In 2012, 114 tons of supplies were sent to hardworking members of the U.S. military around the world.

How we deploy our resources

Operation Shoebox is an independent 501 (c) 3 non profit organization founded in 2003. It is not associated with any of the following:

Operation Shoebox New Jersey
Dino’s Operation Shoebox
Operation Shoebox UK
Operation Shoebox V
Operation Christmas Child

When you give a tax-deductible donation to Operation Shoebox, you can take pride in knowing that 100% of your gift goes directly to shipping costs and care package supplies. Shipping costs for an average month total between $11,000 and $17,000 in postage.

Honor the sacrifices that members of our armed forces make every day by contributing to our mission today.