With support flooding NIU from around the country after the Feb. 14 shootings, junior communication major Alli Grissom searched for a way to thank them.

“My heart went out to them because they were there and willing to help,” Grissom said.

Grissom started Operation Thank You, a project to send personalized thank-you cards to various individuals and businesses who have supported the university in the tragedy’s aftermath.

“Close to 800 thank-you cards will be sent out,” Grissom said.

Of those 800, more than 500 will be sent to the counselors, 255 to NIU employees and 30 to businesses in the DeKalb area.

But Grissom is not acting alone. Commercial retailers such as Target, Borders, Barnes & Noble and Wal-Mart, along with the corporate offices of American Greetings, have donated cards to the project.

In addition, several organizations on campus are helping out with writing the cards, including Public Relations Student Society of America, the University Honors Program and the Student Alumni Association, as well as two sororities and various nursing and education major students.

“By the time all the thank-you notes are written, we will have 15 organizations involved,” Grissom said, adding that the scope of the organizations included a diverse range of students.

Grissom said that the organizations will be taking time out of their regular meetings to write the cards. The student psychology organization, Active Minds, will have a table in the Holmes Student Center so students can “write a thank you to someone who has helped/impacted them during this time of sorrow and renewal.”

Grissom said she hopes the cards will be completed within the next couple of weeks. However, Grissom acknowledged that postage is becoming a problem.

Grissom said she is in talks with NIU about covering mailing costs, as 800 stamps at 41 cents a piece turns out to $328.

“If not, we’re working on getting students and some local churches to donate stamps,” Grissom said.

Organizations that are interested in helping with Operation Thank You can reach Grissom at [email protected]