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Archived News:

• Dentists’ Halloween buyback campaign donates candy for US troops deployed overseas

• US Army Blackhawk lands in Hillsborough Oct 1

• Auctioneer sells sports memorabilia to benefit Operation Shoebox NJ

• What so proudly we hailed

• IV Annual Operation Shoebox NJ Golf Classic

• Victory Campaign 2011

• Seal Team VI honors Operation Shoebox New Jersey
• Shop for a Cause: Macy’s 25% discount tickets benefit OPSHBXNJ

• Somerset Patriots host OPSHBXNJ packing event & “A Salute to the Flag” July 4th

• The Stein Philanthropy Club presents boxes to OPSHBXNJ

• 5th Graders Skype with Airmen

• Volunteers Invited to Pack Boxes for US at 6th annual Christmas packing in Manville Nov. 13th

• Eat, Drink & Be Grateful: Wine Tasting to benefit Deployed US Soldiers

• Sports memorabilia auction benefits Operation Shoebox NJ

• Operation Shoebox NJ joins Flemington Dept Store to honor military families

 

 

Garden State's first lady honors Operation Shoebox founder as 'New Jersey Hero'

12/15/11-New Jersey First Lady Mary Pat Christie honors Rod Hirsch, center, of Operation Shoebox New Jersey as her next "New Jersey Hero" at Veterans Industrial Park in Hillsborough. Christie reached out as Hirsch became a bit emotional. At right is CWO4 Pat DeChirico USMC retired. Operation Shoebox NJ collects donated supplies and prepares care packages for U.S. troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Middle East. During the visit Christie helped to pack items for the cause. B69783404Z.1 KATHY JOHNSON/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER / Courier News

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.

All Hirsch did to earn the title, after all, was honor the people he considers heroes.

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.”

Christie even paid the organization a visit Thursday morning, rolling up her sleeves to help assemble a few more care packages to send overseas. Each included a letter from the firstlady and Gov. Chris Christie thanking members of the military for their service, plus one gallon-sized bag containing food items and a second bag containing personal-hygiene products.

“With the sacrifice that’s going on overseas, you’re just instilled with such pride,” the first lady said, marveling at the smoothness with which Operation Shoebox handles enormous volumes of donations. One large plastic bin in a packing room contained nothing but thousands of cough drops, with other labeled bins separating items as specific as toothpaste, popcorn, soap, dental floss and even Ramen noodles.

Similarly, stacked from the floor to the ceiling in a hallway were endless rows of boxes of Girl Scout cookies — Thin Mints, Tagalongs and Do-si-dos included.

“I’m struck by the incredible efficiency,” Christie remarked. “Rod definitely has it down to a science.”

Christie enjoyed a few laughs with fellow volunteers and wasn’t shy about asking questions (as it turns out, chocolate mailed to Iraq or Afghanistan won’t melt as long as you package it properly).“She’s delightful,” Hirsch said of her visit, “and real as can be.”

12/15/11-New Jersey First Lady Mary Pat Christie packs items for Shoebox New Jersey. She was there to honor Rod Hirsch of Operation Shoebox New Jersey as her next "New Jersey Hero" at Veterans Industrial Park in Hillsborough. View Photo Gallery

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer Pat DeChirico, a veteran of military operations in Korea, Vietnam and Iraq, said the joy that comes with receiving a care package while serving overseas can’t be overstated. The notion inspired DeChirico to become director of operations for Operation Shoebox, which keeps him busy after a 1997 retirement from the military that followed a 42-year service career. “This is something that really, really strikes at the heart of the troops,” DeChirico explained, describing the receipt of packages of fresh pepperoni, salami and provolone sent from family members while he was serving in Asia. “It’s hard to describe,” he said. “The adrenaline in your body starts flowing and your hands start shaking, because you know what’s in there is something from home.” Mark Spivey; 908-243-6607; mspivey@njpressmedia.com