Give Back with SEASON OF THANKS

Shaped by its founding location at the United States Military Academy at West Point, STRUCTUREbags is made at West Point and grounded in giving back – to the environment and to those who serve.

This is the basis for our new letter writing and gift campaign – “A Season of Thanks: Your Greetings, Our Gifts.”

All November long, we are collecting letters from Americans saying ‘thank you’ to deployed soldiers and their families. In December, we will sort, bundle and package these heartfelt notes for delivery to a company of about 100 deployed solders – and their families at home.

But we aren’t stopping at letters.

At STRUCTUREbags, we know the sacrifices military families make. So, we are adding our handcrafted Camo Ornament to each package sent to the families waiting the return of their loved-ones. And just like everything in our Camo with a Cause line, STRUCTUREbags will donate $1 to Team Red, White & Blue for every Camo Ornament we send.

But to understand the genesis of this campaign, it is important to understand how a civilian like me could have such a deep connection to military families.

When my husband and I relocated to the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2009, my appreciation for members and families of our military soared. Living on a military post shines light on the sacrifices and commitment of military families: deployments, circumstantial single-parenting, tragedies and volunteerism.

With the birth of our daughter in 2010, the new parenting phase became my focus. In 2011, STRUCTUREbags started as an outlet, semi-ripped from an over-demanding career and looking to make some one-of-a-kind goods for her toddler. Baby Guyader needed some original Army gear!
Gradually, the new-mom fog lifted, and I began to hear and listen to everything happening around me. West Point is many things – historic, picturesque, academically excellent – but most of all it is humbling.

From the story of the tactical officer killed in action who was laid to rest in front of standing room only crowds, to the woman brought to tears after receiving candy on Valentine’s Day from the “deployment angels,” it was clear my previous civilian perspective was grossly naïve.

I created the Camo with a Cause Line to give back to our military and their families. When Team RWB said ‘yes’ to our strategic partnership, it literally brought tears to my eyes.

Our “Season of Thanks” campaign is the next step in our giving: a gift of thanks from our fans to our military, that costs only the time it takes to write a note and the stamp it takes to mail to us.

For full details on how easy it is for you or your group to participate in this giving campaign, please visit STRUCTUREbag’s “Season of Thanks” page. Let’s work together to bring a gift of thanks to our deployed soldiers and their families at home.

Brenda - STRUCTUREbags