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Latest News
Operation Shoebox New Jersey hosts benefit concert
at the Battleship New Jersey May 30
CAMDEN – Thousands are expected to gather at the Battleship New Jersey museum complex on the Delaware River Saturday, May 30 for a benefit concert to raise funds for Operation Shoebox New Jersey, the United We Stand foundation and the world’s most decorated battleship.
Singer/songwriter and guitarist Alan Grant, front man for Primitive Soul and co-founder of the United We Stand Foundation hopes his inspirational and patriotic song “United We Stand” will be the springboard to funding free concerts at military bases around the country.
“There isn’t a single time that we’ve performed “United We Stand” that someone from the military hasn’t come up to me afterwards and said they were moved,” says Grant. “It made me want to share it with as many people as possible who could benefit from the message. And then we realized that the message does not have to be limited to just the troops.”
The concert – which will feature live music from some of New Jersey’s best loved bands and musicians from noon until 5 pm – is designed as a family day to promote the goal of unity and patriotism.
Tickets at the gate are $20 and $14 for veterans and children under 12. Gates open at 9 a.m. The admission price includes a self-guided tour of the USS New Jersey, the most decorated battleship in history, a recipient of 19 Battle Stars from World War II to Operation Desert Storm.
All proceeds will be shared by United We Stand, Operation Shoebox New Jersey and the Battleship New Jersey. All are non-profit organizations.
“We are excited and proud to partner with Operation Shoebox New Jersey,
(www.opshoeboxnj.org) which has an incredible record for getting thousands of
packages sent to our troops throughout the year,” said Denise Lang, co-founder of United We Stand. “Now we are turning to the public to show their support for our troops and their families.”
The United We Stand Foundation was established to produce and distribute large quantities of musical CDs to members of the U.S. military as possible while bringing the gift of music to their families on the homefront. Operation Shoebox New Jersey has already shipped more than 1,000 “United We Stand” CDs overseas.
“It doesn’t matter whether you are Republican, Democrat, Independent or Undecided,” the songwriter said. “I wrote United We Stand to be a song of brotherhood, love and unity – and it is this message we need to get out. This isn’t about politics – it’s about grass roots people to people message of American unity and we want to give everyone who wants to, an opportunity to participate.
“And,” he continued, ”what more appropriate place to hold the first concert than on the deck of the country’s most decorated battleship?
Founder of the popular touring band Primitive Soul (www.primitivesoul.com), and singer with the nationally recognized Holiday Express (www.holidayexpress.org), he is both an accomplished guitarist and songwriter who has shared the stage with the likes of Rob Thomas, Jon Bon Jovi, Daryl Hall, Cyndi Lauper, Poco, Clarence Clemons and other musicians.
As musical director for the annual Stowe Weekend of Hope for Cancer
Survivors Grant has also donated time and free concerts to Hurricane Katrina victims in New Orleans, 9/11 Families in New Jersey, NYC’s Rally for The Cure (spinal cord research), Lyme disease, and the Matheny Hospital & Educational Center.
Directions to the USS New Jersey, which is berthed along the Delaware River across from Philadelphia and near the Ben Franklin Bridge, are available on the website, www.battleshipnewjersey.org
Warren County Girl Scouts Invite Volunteers
to May 16 packing at Alpha Volunteer Fire Company
ALPHA – More than 30 Girl Scout troops from Warren County working in conjunction with Operation Shoebox New Jersey will host a packing event at the Alpha Volunteer Fire Company building May 16.
Volunteers are needed to bag the donated items that will be addressed and packed in individual gift boxes for shipment to U.S. troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and other Mideast locations.
Volunteers are invited to work anytime between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Refreshments will be provided to all volunteers. The firehouse is located at the intersection of Lee and West Central avenues.
Troops from the Star Valley service unit, Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey Council continue to gather donations from residents of Alpha, Greenwich, Stewartsville, Pohatcong and Phillipsburg. The items will be sorted into bins prior to the packing, everything from lip balm, eye drops and sun block to granola bars, cans of tuna, bags of candy and sticks of gum.
A writing station will be set up at the firehouse for the Girl Scouts and volunteers to write cards and letters of thanks that will be sent to the troops overseas.
The goal is to pack 500 care packages, according to Kathleen McHenry, event organizer.
Her daughter, Morrissey, a member of Troop 830, is one of more than 200 girls active in the Star Valley unit, all of whom have been working on the project since March. They have reached out to students at four schools – Alpha Public School, Greenwich Elementary, Pohatcong Elementary and Sts. Philip and James Catholic School as well as businesses and civic organizations in Warren County for donations.
Volunteers are also asked to bring donated supplies to the packing. Items needed most are lip balm, foot powder, toothbrushes, pop-top cans of tuna and fruit and sticks of beef jerky.
Financial support is also needed to help pay postage.
The Girl Scouts will be at the Stop & Shop Supermarket on Route 22 in Pohatcong from 9 a.m.-5p.m. on April 25, May 2 and May 9 where they will distribute shopping lists outside the store and collect donations.
Volunteers are asked to pre-register on the Operation Shoebox New Jersey website, or by calling (908) 213-1092.
OPSHBX NJ volunteers pitch in to help Patriots
launch pre-season festivities at Fan Fest April 4th
Bridgewater, NJ – Operation Shoebox New Jersey volunteers will help the Four-Time Atlantic League Champion Somerset Patriots kick off their 2009 pre-season festivities at the annual Fan Fest Saturday, April 4 at TD Ballpark from noon-3 p.m.
Admission is free for all Patriots fans and once inside the ballpark, everyone will have a chance to meet and get autographs from Patriots manager Sparky Lyle and several Patriots players.
Young fans will be able to participate in carnival games and activities, as well as be entertained by clowns, face painters, and the Patriots’ mascots Sparkee and Slider.
Fans will also be able to enjoy an 1880’s style vintage baseball game down on the field, which will be played without any fielder’s gloves.
For the third year in a row, OPSHBX NJ volunteers will staff the third base concession stand, serving fans hot dogs, hamburgers, fries, hot and cold beverages and other refreshments.
Fan Fest is the first of 11 dates that OPSHBX NJ volunteers will be working at the ballpark during the 2009 season to help raise funds to pay shipping costs and maintain its supply line of personal care packages shipped overseas to U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Volunteers are needed to work at the concession stands on the following dates:
April 4, Saturday, Noon, 3rd Base - Fan Fest - 24 volunteers;
April 30, Thursday, 6:05 p.m., 3rd Base - Fireworks - 24 volunteers;
May 19, Tuesday, 11:05 a.m., Portables - 12-15 volunteers;
May 23, Saturday 7:05 p.m., 1st Base - 30 volunteers;
June 4, Thursday, 7:05 p.m., 3rd Base - 24 volunteers;
June 18, Thursday, 7:05 p.m., 3rd Base - 24 volunteers;
July 19, Sunday, 5:05 p.m., Portables - 12-15 volunteers;
July 28, Tuesday, 7:05 p.m., Portables, 12-15 volunteers;
Aug. 11, Tuesday, 7:05 p.m., Portables, 12-15 volunteers;
Aug. 15, Saturday, 7:05 p.m. 1st Base, 30 volunteers;
Aug. 25, Tuesday, 7:05 p.m. 3rd Base, 24 volunteers
Those interested in signing up to volunteer on any of those dates can call (908) 698-0333 or sign up on the website.
Flemington Applebees Supports Operation Shoebox NJ
Join us April 16 for a fund raiser at Applebees Flemington location . Applebees will donate 10% from each lunch and dinner bill - including takeout - to support Operation Shoebox New Jersey. Click on the LINK to print the flyer, which you must present to your server to qualify for this offer.
Flyer
Click on link for Flyer
Operation Shoebox New Jersey Joins with Guardian Wear to Provide U.S. Troops
with High-Quality Polos and Shorts
Guardian Wear and Operation Shoebox New Jersey are providing an opportunity to show your support and say “Thanks” to U.S. troops deployed overseas with the purchase of high-quality, lightweight American Hero polo shirts and shorts. With a tax-deductible contribution of $20 or more, a card (see below) personalized with your name and city will be included in each care package shipped overseas along with the Guardian Wear American Hero garment. Each care package also includes two large bags of personal care items with toiletries and snacks packed by volunteers. Please tell us if there is a specific member of the military to whom you want the package shipped; otherwise, the garment and care package will be sent to any of the soldiers or Marines on our shipping list. Fill in this form then print it and mail it with a check for $20 or more made out to:
Operation Shoebox New Jersey
P.O. Box 273
Somerville, N.J. 08876
Somerset Patriots offer free tickets to fans
with a donation to Operation Shoebox New Jersey
(BRIDGEWATER, March 2) - Somerset Patriots fans can score free tickets to dozens of home games during the 2009 season by making a donation to Operation Shoebox New Jersey when ticket sales kick off at TD Ballpark Saturday, March 14th.
Operation Shoebox New Jersey volunteers will be posted adjacent to the ticket windows that day to accept donations of food items and toiletries that are shipped in personal care packages to U.S. military personnel deployed overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan. For a list of items to bring to the ballpark, please visit www.opshoeboxnj.org.
Any fan that brings an item to donate to Operation Shoebox New Jersey will receive a special Buy One Get One Free ticket offer on any Sunday through Thursday game during the 2009 season. Operation Shoebox New Jersey volunteers will be collecting items from 9 a.m.-noon.
Ticket windows open at 9 a.m. and will stay open through 4 p.m. Fans can also call the Patriots Ticket Office at (908) 252-0700, or purchase tickets on line at www.somersetpatriots.com.
The Somerset Patriots open the 2009 season at home on Thursday, April 23rd with a 7:05 pm game against the Camden Riversharks. The game will feature a Championship Celebration with a ring ceremony, flag raising, and a Post Game Fireworks show.
Ticket prices for the 2009 season are $12.50 for Premium Field Box Seats, $10 for Field Box Seats, and $9 for Upper Box Seats. Normal game times for the 2009 season are 7:05 pm Monday through Saturday and 1:35 pm or 5:05 pm on Sundays.
The Patriots will host 70 home games during the 140 game Atlantic League schedule running from Thursday, April 23rd through Sunday, Sept. 20th.
The Patriots will host 33 home games on weekends with 15 Fireworks Nights on the schedule in 2009. The Patriots will host five 11:05 am weekday games this season on Wednesday, April 29th, Tuesday, May 19th, Tuesday, July 21st, Thursday, July 30th, and Wednesday, Aug. 12th.
The Patriots will host holiday games on Mother's Day on Sunday, May 10th at 1:35 pm, when the team will have their Third Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Day; Father's Day on Sunday, June 21st at 1:35 pm; Independence Day on Friday, July 4th @ 5:05 pm; and Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 7th at 6:05 pm.
Scrooge helps gather supplies for Operation Shoebox New Jersey in Branchburg
BRANCHBURG - Come celebrate the holiday season by bringing your family to see Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol presented by the award-winning township Recreation Department Creative Theater Program.
Performances will take place on Friday, Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 20 at 6 p.m. , both at Whiton Elementary School.
No admission will be charged, but the audience is requested to please bring food and toiletry items that will be sent overseas to U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan by Operation Shoebox New Jersey. Travel size items such as shampoo/conditioner, soap, sunscreen, razors, deodorant, powder, lip balm. feminine hygiene products, tooth brushes, toothpaste, drink mixes, snacks, candy, gum, small boxes of dry cereal and snacks and writing materials will be accepted.
Operation Shoebox New Jersey, founded in February, 2005, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. The organization has shipped 23,200 personal care packages to U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The show features a talented Branchburg cast including Amanda Viglianti, Lauren Maroney, Greg Cortazzo, Caitlin Cimino, Erin DiIorio, Morgan Pudimott, Julia Pudimott, Max Gropper, Sydney Harvey, Nicole Sapanara, Emily McVerry, Anna McVerry, Nick Weimann, Tyler Stasienko, Lauren DeMaioribus, Nick DeMaioribus, Shanaya Panday, Josie McNeil, Trevor McNaught, Faith Munkholm, Maddie Keating, Colleen Keating, Lindsey Kazar, Halli LaFrankie, Julia LaFrankie, Michelle Weighart, Kate Cardonne, Katelyn DeDeo, Elayna Cross, Devyn Dabrowski, Tina Kolatac, Samantha German, Kelly Moran and Sophie Weinstein.
Please call (908) 526-1300, extension 187 for further information.
 Join us May 28 for a fund raiser at New Jersey's friendliest Irish pub. Owner Pat Mannion will donate 10% from each lunch and dinner bill - including drinks - to support Operation Shoebox New Jersey. Click on the LINK to print the flyer, which you must present to your server to qualify for this offer.

Click on shamrock for Flyer
Famous Dave's Restaurant, Route 202 Hillsborough , once again hosts a fund raiser
in support Operation ShoeboxNJ
Famous Dave's restaurant on Route 202 in Hillsborough is once again holding a fund raiser on February 26 in Hilllsborough to support Operation Shoebox NJ
Anyone who eats lunch or dinner or orders take out from Famous Dave's on this date and presents the flyer (which can be downloaded below) will help with expenses associated with the packing.
Famous Dave's will donate 10 percent of your bill to Operation Shoebox New Jersey.
Be sure to bring this flyer with you to Famous Dave's and let your host or cashier know you are there to support this fundraiser.
That's all. It's that easy. Make sure to stop by Famous Dave's for some of the best smoked and barbeque ribs in New Jersey! Tell your friends and neighbors, too!
CLICK HERE FOR FLYER
Flyer
Family Readiness Group Helps Operation Shoebox New Jersey
send holiday gift packages toU.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan Nov. 8
DENVILLE - Friends and families of local National Guard troops recently deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan will help Operation Shoebox New Jersey pack holiday gift boxes Saturday, Nov. 8 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Gearhart Chevrolet, 281 Route 46 East.
The event is free and open to the public.
The showroom floor of the dealership will be cleared of cars and trucks to make room for hundreds of volunteers who are expected to pitch in and pack upwards of 500 packages that will be filled with snacks, toiletries and other personal care items donated by a broad cross-section of individuals, families, civic organizations and area businesses.
The gift packages will be sent overseas in time for the holiday season.
Donations are already being dropped off at the dealership and will be displayed in the bed of a brand-new 2009 Chevrolet Silverado pick-up truck.
“Gearhart Chevrolet and all of its employees are thankful for the opportunity to help those who are defending us and our country,” said John Sautter, sales manager. “It is important more than ever to support our men and women especially in this time of a troubled economy,” he added. “We will always be in full support of our troops and pray for them to come home safely.”
The Family Readiness Group of the NJ Army National Guard based at the armory in Hackettstown, along with the volunteer staff of Operation Shoebox New Jersey will coordinate and supervise the packing event. The FRG is comprised of family members of soldiers and volunteers who support the troops by supporting their families during the overseas deployment.
Operation Shoebox New Jersey, a grass roots volunteer organization with statewide headquarters in Hillsborough, StateN.J., was founded in February, 2005 and has since shipped more than 21,000 care packages overseas to U.S. military personnel.
A free car wash will be given on the premises to those who make a financial donation of $10 or more, according to Debra Bond, coordinator of the event for Gearhart. Her son is one of 3,200 New Jersey National Guard troops that were deployed to Iraq this summer.
For a donation of $20 or more, Operation Shoebox New Jersey and Guardian Wear will include an American Hero lightweight polo shirt or pair of shorts in each box with a gift card signed by the donor.
An ATM machine is conveniently located in the dealership showroom.
Volunteers who attend are asked to bring donated supplies to the packing to help fill the holiday gift boxes. Suggested items include toothpaste, tooth brushes, foot powder, lip balm, moist wipes, sun block, insect repellant, soap, shampoo, razors, mouthwash, dental floss, batteries (any size), writing materials, microwave popcorn, snack and cereal bars, small boxes of dry cereal, pop-top cans of tuna and fruit salad, gum, candy, beef jerky, small packages of cookies and crackers and powdered drink mixes. Recommended are travel and personal size items.
Corporate sponsors are encouraged to participate in the event; companies large and small have already made commitments of support, including Gearhart Chevrolet, Impact Instrumentation of West Caldwell, S&R Mechanical of Newton, Lenmore Associates, Long Island, N.Y. and Gig's Florist, Lake Hopatcong.
Food and beverages will be provided courtesy of Gearhart.
Rod Hirsch, founder and executive director of Operation Shoebox New Jersey said “We salute the members of the Hackettstown FRG and Gearhart Chevrolet for their eagerness to be involved in this ongoing humanitarian effort, which continues to grow throughout the state.”
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