The holiday season for some homeless military veterans in San Diego brightens on December 16, 2009, with the distribution of 150 Winter Survival Backpacks, filled with hats, gloves, toiletries, blankets, and food, along with donated clothing, books, and home-baked treats.

The nonprofit Girls Think Tank (GTT) put together the 4th annual event, recruiting volunteers and donors from around the county, as a way to give back to veterans. GTT event organizer Amlyu Weas said, “with the Winter Survivor Backpack project, Girls Think Tank and its supporters are able to show thanks to military veterans who have served our nation and given of themselves. As President John Fitzgerald Kennedy said, ‘as we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.’ ”

In a statement about the event, U.S. Representative Bob Filner of San Diego said, “It is imperative we take care of our homeless veterans all year around especially in the cold winter months.” Filner is chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

The event happens at 6:15 p.m., outside the veterans winter shelter, located on Sports Arena Boulevard, behind Goodwill, 3663 Rosecrans, in the Loma Portal area. The shelter, which opened December 9th and operates for 120 days, houses and provides services for 150 male veterans. The City of San Diego program is operated by the Veterans Village of San Diego.

In November, GTT gave out Winter Survival Backpacks outside the winter shelter downtown and has distributed approximately 1000 backpacks since the project began four years ago. Individuals and organizations are encouraged to collect used clothing for upcoming GTT events this winter.

Girls Think Tank started in 2006 when local attorney Rachel Jensen, tired of idly passing by a homeless neighbor, gathered girlfriends for a dinner party and brainstormed solutions. They decided to start Girls Think Tank, with a theme of empowerment and individual action to make a difference in our community. A $20 donation, 1 hour of time: microjustice – like microcredit, hands-on and direct – is the Girls Think Tank model. The new GTT Homeless Coalition will launch a Basic Dignity campaign in 2010. The Coalition includes GTT members, social service and homeless groups, places of worship, businesses, residents, and homeless persons. For more information about GTT and the Winter Backpack Survival project, email girlsthinktank@gmail.com or visit GirlsThinkTank.org. GTT is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in San Diego.