Thank you for joining the ONE CSX Battalion Buddy Brigade! We are so excited to assemble 13,000 Battalion Buddies for the children of deployed service members as throughout the year!
Below you will find all the instructions and resources needed to host your own Battalion Buddy assembly event. Please review these instructions carefully and do not hesitate to reach out to an Operation Gratitude team member with any questions.Â
PLANNING YOUR EVENT
Within three business days of submitting your event request form, you will receive an email from an Operation Gratitude team member confirming your event details.Â
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Once these details have been confirmed:Â
Ensure you have reserved an event space large enough to hold your intended number of participants seated at tables.Â
If available, ensure you have IT capabilities in your event space to play the Operation Gratitude introduction video and Battalion Buddy assembly video.
Note – for your planning purposes, each Battalion Buddy takes approximately 15 minutes to assemble! Â
Provided by Operation Gratitude:Â
Individual Battalion Buddy KitsÂ
Each kit will include:Â
Battalion Buddy SkinÂ
Camo Style JacketÂ
Operation Gratitude Tag for Around the Neck Â
Pre-Portioned Bear StuffingÂ
Additional Custom CSX TagÂ
Shipping Coordination to Your Event LocationÂ
Boxes for Return ShippingÂ
Provided by Event Host (you):Â
Scissors or Box Cutter(s) (to access bear kits)Â
Shipping TapeÂ
Sharpie(s) or Marker(s)Â
Return Shipping Coordination (instructions below)Â
HOW TO SET UP YOUR EVENT
Tables/SeatingÂ
The Battalion Buddy assembly is a seated event. Round or rectangular tables work; the event host should choose based on available space and total number of volunteers.Â
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Battalion Buddy AssemblyÂ
Pre-set a Battalion Buddy kit at each chair or distribute the kits individually as participants enter. Each participant should use one bear kit at a time in order to avoid mixing the materials.Â
Each kit includes all materials needed to assemble one Battalion Buddy. Ensure participants use all stuffing provided in their kits and keep materials separate to avoid excess stuffing.Â
Plastic zippered pouches should be discarded, DO NOT repack the bear into the pouch.Â
Set up re-usable boxes to drop off completed bears, additional Battalion Buddy kits can be staged next to the drop off box.Â
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Post EventÂ
Discard all plastic inside and outside the kits (including the plastic zippered pouch); do not use them for shipping.Â
At the end of your event, all complete Battalion Buddies will need to be boxed and shipped back to Operation Gratitude.Â
Re-pack all completed Battalion Buddies in the boxes the kits were shipped in. Typically, Operation Gratitude branded boxes sent can hold up to 40 completed bears. Â
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How to Pack Completed BearsÂ
Place bears in the box, alternating the position of the faces. One layer should be face up and the next face down as pictured below. Carefully packing these bears will ensure they are all able to fit in the boxes provided and will avoid damage in transit.Â
Any damaged bears should be placed in the top row. These will be repaired at Operation Gratitude HQ.Â
Helpful Resources
How to Assemble a Battalion Buddy Tutorial
Play Video
RETURN SHIPPING Tutorial
Play Video
