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Garden State's first lady honors Operation Shoebox founder as 'New Jersey Hero'Mary Pat Christie visits Hillsborough to help assemble care packages for soldiers serving overseas
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Operation Shoebox New Jersey hosts 7th anniversary packing at Manville VFW
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View letter to troops from First Lady
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HILLSBOROUGH — Rod Hirsch couldn’t quite figure out what to say after being honored by Mary Pat Christie as one of the Garden State first lady’s “New Jersey Heroes,” a group of people regularly recognized by the governor’s office for inspiring others to give back to their communities. The Dunellen resident in 2005 founded Operation Shoebox New Jersey, a nonprofit organization created to spread a little cheer to U.S. military personnel serving overseas by sending them thoughtfully assembled care packages. Not long ago the number of such packages sent by the group surpassed 50,000, all organized out of a small office space near an industrial park off of Route 206. “I’m next to speechless, and that’s a very difficult thing for me,” Hirsch said. “To be singled out in this huge state, where so many good things happen, is special.” |
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Seal Team VI honors Operation Shoebox New Jersey
Hooah! Certificate of Appreciation signed by General David Petraeus, overall US Commander in Afghanistan. View Larger
The Regional Command East Combined Joint Task Force 1 Chaplain's office has received a number of care packages from Operation Shoebox NJ. Chaplain Eric Anderson of the 1st Calvary Division has been kind enough to share
his photo journal of life in a forward area in Bagram, Afghanistan with us. View Journal
The Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey Council packed 378 boxes for US troops overseas at their North Branch service center Sept. 24, with each of the girls signing a banner, at left, that was included in a box sent to Maj. Tim Cheslock In Afghanistan. Holding a hero card included in the box he received, Cheslock and other members of the medical unit are shown with the banner at right. The soldier at the far right is holding a box of Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies, also included in each package shipped overseas by Operation Shoebox New Jersey. See more pictures of the Sept. 24 packing by clicking on the "Photos" link.
To and From the Front
Packages arrive and are distributed to troops in Afghanistan,
August 11, 2011.
Read More
We got those boxes yesterday and today with the help of our operations department we got all the shoe boxes to the flight line and they are heading out to the most needy soldiers. Read More
News, Events and Fundraisers
Jan. 20, Friday, Friday, 530-6 pm, Loading truck for packing in Colts Neck
Jan. 21, Saturday, 8 am-2 pm, packing event at St. Mary's Church, Route 34, Colts Neck and unpacking truck in Hillsborough, 3-4 pm
Jan. 22, Sunday, 930 am-330 pm, Shopping Spree, ShopRite, Clinton
Jan. 27, Friday, 530-6 pm, Loading truck for Jan. 28 packing in Clark;
Jan. 28, Saturday, 8 am-2 pm, packing event in Clark, Mother Seton Regional H.S. & unpacking truck in Hillsborough, 3-4 pm
"Because of the overwhelming support we all receive from OPSHBXNJ, we can enjoy some candy, share a short story, and continue to take the fight to the enemy."
Sept. 10, packing at Mount Freedom Presbyterian Church, Randolph (Morris County); target is 250 boxes.
Sept. 11, Somerville Jazz Fest, downtown Somerville.
Sept. 11, Manville Street Fair, Manville
Sept. 11, TD Bank Ballpark, Double header and sports memorabilia auction.
:: Mary Pat Christie Honors Operation Shoebox NJ
:: Somerset Patriots congratulate Rod Hirsch
:: Milestone within reach at Nov. 12 Christmas packing: 50,000 boxes shipped overseas!
:: Operation Shoebox New Jersey
on TV & radio in NJ, NY & Philly
:: OPSHBXNJ limited-edition 2012 calendars are now available
:: Hillsborough Rotary joins Operation Shoebox New Jersey at 1st annual Christmas packing
:: OPSHBXNJ prominent role in historic exhibit
Bristol-Myers Squibb employees - more than three dozen - volunteered to work the First Base concession stand at TD Bank Ball park on 7/19/11 to help OPSHBX NJ raise money.
12.03.11 The Hillsborough Rotary Club hosted the First annual Christmas packing at the Hillsborough Elementary School. Over 500 volunteers packed a total of 1,059 boxes.
11.19.11 Students, parents and family gathered at The Presbyterian Church Pre-School in Middlesex to pack 126 boxes.
IN MEMORIAM: Frank Valanzola
By ROD HIRSCHOperation Shoebox New Jersey has lost one of its best friends and most ardent supporters. Frank Valanzola, a financial advisor and vice president with Morgan Stanley was with us at the very start in 2005 and helped to organize our first public packing event in downtown Somerville just a few months later.
Sadly, Frank passed away Sept. 24, succumbing to cancer at the age of 51.
Frank was a “go to” guy, the one person you would turn to because you knew he would get things done; he was full of ideas, his enthusiasm was contagious and he had boundless energy for the cause. I know, because he and I worked side-by-side as we nurtured a fledgling Operation Shoebox New Jersey from an idea through its early years until it became a strong, vibrant non-profit organization that continues to grow statewide. Read More>
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Have a friend, relative, or loved one overseas? Submit their name here to receive a care package.