News Archive

Mannion's host fundraiser Thursday January 21st

OPSHBX NJ sponsors 4th annual holiday packing & Santa's Workshop Nov. 15 at Manville VFW

MANVILLE - Volunteers are invited to join Operation Shoebox New Jersey staff Nov. 15 to make holiday ornaments, write greetings cards and help prepare personalCare packages for shipment to U.S. Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan in time for Christmas and the holidays.

The 4th annual Christmas and holiday packing will be Saturday, Nov. 15 at the Walter Kavanaugh VFW Post #2290, 600 Washington Ave., Manville.

To handle the large crowd and to better streamline the packing process, there will be two shifts - 11 a.m.-1 p.m., and 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Volunteers are asked to pre-register and specify the number of people in each group and which time period they will attend.

Volunteers will also be asked to sign in as they arrive that day.

A light lunch will be available, with proceeds benefiting the VFW.

Volunteer packers are asked to bring donations of personal care items for shipment that day, including snacks and toiletries. Check the shopping list on our website and bring along a bag of needed items.

The packages sent overseas will include cans of tuna, cans of fruit, trail mix, beef jerky, gum, candy, granola bars, powdered drink mixes, coffee, tea, oatmeal, hot chocolate, toothpaste, tooth brushes, ear swabs, moist wipes, sun block, eye drops, soap, shampoo, socks, stationary, envelopes, pens, batteries and other items.

SOMERVILLE TO HOST SPRING ARTS & MAIN ST.

SAVE THE DATE: 5 OCTOBER, 2008

SOMERVILLE, NJ - The Somerville Business Association is pleased to present the Annual Arts & Main Street Somerville which has become a favorite among the Garden State ’s top festivals. The event will be held on Sunday, October 5th from 11a.m. to 5 p.m. on Main Street between Doughty and Grove Street in downtown Somerville .

Art is the theme, with artisans, musicians and crafters transforming the streets of Somerville into a marketplace for over 200 vendors displaying paintings, pottery, photography, hand made jewelry, furniture and many other unique gifts. Food vendors will be selling a wide selection of culinary delights as stage and strolling performers will entertain Festival goers throughout the day.

The Arts & Main Street Stage will feature musical performances from the areas most popular bands; including Cellar Dwellers, High Maintenance, Tropical Storm, and Everlounge. A special all new KidZone will present an exciting selection of amusement rides, games and non-stop activities for the entire family!

The Somerville Business Association is also pleased to announce that This Is It! Productions will step in as this year’s event producer. This Is It!, based in Hoboken, NJ, has been producing some of the Garden State’s most unique, signature events for more than 15 years.

“The entire Association is excited to work with This Is It! Productions!,” said Stephanie Verb, Executive Director of The Somerville Business Association. “We are comprising an energetic event to entertain all ages.”

One new attraction will be the addition of the Somerville Pie in the Face being sponsored by The Somerville Business Association (SBA). Local celebrities will be invited to participate and the SBA is currently conducting a poll on their website www.somervillebiz.org to determine who the public wants in it. Please visit the site to cast your vote.

For more information, please contact This Is It! Productions at (201) 653-2699 or www.thisisitproductions.com or www.somervillebiz.org

Birthday 'gifts' given to soldiers

After celebrating her 85th birthday on May 24, Ruth Dwyer is shown here with the "gifts" collected for Operation Shoebox New Jersey. Guests were asked in lieu of gifts to bring something for Operation Shoebox. The response was overwhelming. Operation Shoebox is a Somerset County-based volunteer organization dedicated to collecting donated supplies and shipping care packages to U.S. troops based in Iraq, Afghanistan and other Middle East countries. For those interested in making a donation to Operation Shoebox, visit www.opshoeboxnj.org.

Posted by Craig Turpin/Somerset Reporter July 09, 2008

Girl Scouts gather Sept. 27 to box and ship packages to US troops deployed overseas

NORTH BRANCH - The Rolling Hills Girl Scout Council will host a Sept. 27 packing event at their headquarters to send personal care packages to U.S. troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Sponsored by Operation Shoebox New Jersey, volunteers will gather in the Downstairs Activity Room at the Girl Scout council's service center, 1171 Route 28 beginning at 11 a.m. The event is scheduled to conclude at 3 p.m.

All Girl Scouts, leaders and families are invited to participate. All participants must register prior to the packing day. The event is limited to 150 people at one time.. Register online or download a flyer/registration form from the Rolling Hills Council website, www.girlscouts-rh.org.

Volunteers are not required to work the entire four hours and can indicate on the registration form the hours they expect to participate.

“Our staff is looking forward to this packing event,” said Rod Hirsch, founder and executive director of Operation Shoebox New Jersey. “The Girl Scouts have been with us since we started three years ago, and have faithfully attended dozens of our packing events throughout New Jersey,” he added. “Their enthusiasm and contributions are unmatched. We thought it was time for them to host their own event at their headquarters.”

One of the most popular items included in the packages shipped overseas are boxes of Girl Scout cookies; many of the thank you letters received from U.S. troops overseas mention just how much the cookies are appreciated.

Operation Shoebox New Jersey, a statewide non-profit organization with headquarters in Hillsborough, has shipped over 20,000 boxes to U.S. troops deployed overseas.

Volunteers are asked to bring a bag of donated supplies that can be sorted and shipped for the packages that will be shipped overseas. Cards and letters are also welcome.

The following items are requested. All donated items must be in their original packaging:

Sun screen, foot powder, eye drops, beef jerky, bug spray (pump only), lip balm, ear swabs, moist baby wipes (travel size), razors in small packages, small drink mixes, socks, snack food including small bags of pretzels, crackers or popcorn; cereal/protein bars; microwaveable foods in cans or boxes; hard candy; chewing gum; writing materials, batteries, any size; coffee, individual packets - please, no cans; packets of hot chocolate and tea bags in small boxes of 48 bags or less.

For further information, contact Marcia Cocozza at The Rolling Hills Council, (908) 725-1226.

Macy's 20% sale tickets benefit Operation Shoebox New Jersey

Every Macy’s store nationwide on Sept. 20, 2008 is offering a 20 percent discount to help benefit local charities, foundations and non-profit organizations.

To be eligible for the discount, shoppers must purchase $5 tickets, which are good throughout the store from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. that day and must be presented to cashiers when making a purchase.

Tickets are available from Operation Shoebox New Jersey volunteers and can be ordered by phone at (908) 698-0333. Tickets will be mailed.

The sale applies to regular, sale and clearance women’s, men’s, and kids’ apparel and accessories, fine, bridge and fashion jewelry, bed & bath items, housewares, frames, luggage, china, crystal & silver, all kitchen & personal care electrics & technology items; 10 percent off regular and sale furniture, mattresses and rugs.

Tickets are also available at Operation Shoebox New Jersey headquarters at Veterans Industrial Park, 152 Route 206 South, Hillsborough. Call (908) 698-0333 for further information. All proceeds benefit Operation Shoebox New Jersey and will ensure the supply line of personal care packages sent overseas to U.S. troops will continue.

Volunteers Invited to Help Pack Boxes for U.S. troops Aug. 23

at Commerce Bank Ballpark

BRIDGEWATER – The Somerset Patriots are inviting volunteers to help pack boxes with personal care items that will be shipped to U.S. troops by Operation Shoebox New Jersey on Saturday, Aug. 23 at Commerce Bank Ballpark.

Volunteers are asked to bring a bag of donated supplies that will be added to the stockpile collected by volunteers during the past month.

Items needed include foot powder, tooth brushes, sun block, ear swabs, lip balm, moist wipes, eye drops, batteries, small cans of pop-top tuna and fruit salad.

Children will have the opportunity to color Hero Cards and adults will be asked to write short letters that will be included in each box being shipped overseas.

Volunteers are asked to arrive at 11 a.m. for registration and orientation. Packing begins at 11:30 a.m. and will conclude by 2 p.m.

The Patriots have been strong supporters of OPSHBX NJ since its inception, having hosted four packing events at the ballpark since 2005.

“We are grateful to the Somerset Patriots, owner Steve Kalafer and Patrick McVerry, general manager, for their continued support of Operation Shoebox New Jersey and its volunteers,” said Rod Hirsch, founder and executive director.

Operation Shoebox New Jersey merchandise will be available for purchase. Proceeds help pay postage for the packages shipped overseas. Tickets will also be sold for the Operation Shoebox New Jersey Volunteer Recognition “Night at the Ballpark” Aug. 28.

OPSHBX NJ volunteers have had a busy year so far, with packing events in Manville, Morristown, Bernardsville, Flemington, Scotch Plains, Franklin, Hillsborough and Somerville. More packing events are scheduled in September, October and November. Since its launch in February, 2005, OPSHBX NJ has shipped nearly 20,000 care packages overseas.

Further information is available by calling OPSHBX NJ headquarters at (908) 698-0333. Volunteers are asked to sign up for the Aug. 23 packing on the website, www.opshoeboxnj.org

Dunellen Hotel Offers Dining and Drinks Special to Support OPSHBX NJ

(DUNELLEN July 7) - The historic Dunellen Hotel will donate 10 percent of all lunches, dinners and drinks served Sundays and Mondays during July and August to help Operation Shoebox New Jersey.

Visited by the likes of Clark Gable and other celebrities, the Dunellen Hotel was also popularized by Jackie Gleason in a 1954 episode of "The Honeymooners." Walter Stone, a writer for the show, lived in Dunellen. The 1950s group The Playmates ("Beep, Beep - The Little Nash Rambler") got their start performing here.

First opened in 1869, the Dunellen Hotel offers a full Americana menu with family dining upstairs, and the original Rathskeller Old World Pub downstairs.

Customers must present the accompanying flyer to qualify for the offer.

Located at 120 N. Washington Ave. one block from Route 28, the "Shoebox Special" is available from 1-9 p.m. Sundays and 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Mondays. There is ample free parking behind the hotel. Be sure to tell the owners -Jim Daley, John Schneider

and Rich Hendricks - that you support Operation Shoebox New Jersey.

Call the Dunellen Hotel at (732) 968-2900 for further information.

FLYER

SOMERSET PATRIOTS HOST OPERATION SHOEBOX COLLECTIONS JULY 4TH & 5TH

BRIDGEWATER (July 2) - The Three-Time Atlantic League Champion Somerset Patriots will host a special collection for Operation Shoebox: New Jersey for the Patriots games against the Newark Bears on Friday, July 4th and Saturday, July 5th.

Any fan that brings an item for Operation Shoebox: New Jersey to the July 4th and 5th games will receive a special Buy One Get One Free ticket for either game.

Operation Shoebox: New Jersey will be collecting items at the ballpark to ship overseas. For a list of items to bring to the ballpark, please visit www.opshoeboxnj.org.

The July 4th game will be at 5:05 pm and include a Pre-Game Kids Baseball Clinic on the field with the Patriots players and coaches beginning at 3 pm. Fans will have a chance to win $10,000 at the game courtesy of Heineken Premium Light and also enjoy $1.00 hot dogs all game long.

The July 5th game is a double-header beginning at 5:05 pm and the first 2,000 fans in attendance will receive an All-Star Logo Baseball courtesy of United Teletech Financial. The double-header will consist of two seven-inning games.

The 2008 Somerset Patriots Season presented by Ford is currently underway with Somerset in first place in the Atlantic League's Freedom Division. The Somerset Patriots schedule can be viewed at www.somersetpatriots.com. For more information, call (908) 252-0700 or visit www.somersetpatriots.com.

Fantastic Sam's makes patriotic gesture

in support of Operation Shoebox New Jersey

HILLSBOROUGH (June 17) -Could it be that Fantastic Sam is a distant relative of Uncle Sam?

Based on Fantastic Sam's recent patriotic gesture, there's a good chance he has the same bloodlines as the nation's beloved red white and blue patriarch.

Janet Santora, owner of the Fantastic Sam's hair salon in the Amwell Shopping Center, 350 Amwell Road, is sponsoring a fund raiser for Operation Shoebox New Jersey, a non-profit volunteer organization based in Somerset County that collects supplies and ships them overseas to U.S. military personnel in Iraq, Afghanistan and other placeMideast locations.

For every customer who presents a Fantastic Sam's COUPON at the salon through July 14, Santora will donate 10 percent of their total bill to Operation Shoebox New Jersey.

Coupons have been handed out by Operation Shoebox New Jersey volunteers throughout Hillsborough and surrounding towns and will be available at the June 28 volunteer packing event at Veterans' Memorial Plaza in Somerville.

Coupons are also available at Operation Shoebox New Jersey headquarters in Veterans Industrial Park, 152 Route 206 South, and can be downloaded and printed off the website at www.opshoeboxnj.org.

“Operation Shoebox New Jersey is trying to help our troops and I will do anything that I feel will help them,” Santora explained. “The organization is a good one and I'd like to be a part of it,” she added.

Operation Shoebox New Jersey is registered as a non-profit 501 (c)(3) corporation in the state of New Jersey. Founded in 2005, the grass-roots organization has shipped 18,856 care packages to U.S. troops in the Mideast with the help of thousands of volunteers.

“We commend Fantastic Sam's for recognizing the importance of our mission - maintaining our supply line of packages overseas,” said Rod Hirsch, founder and executive director of Operation Shoebox New Jersey. “We are grateful to Janet for her willingness to become involved and raise money to help us ship the packages put together by our volunteers.”

Santora opened the salon just 14 months ago, having worked as a stylist herself for over 30 years. She has demonstrated a commitment to the community through donations of services to various charities and auctions, and maintains a discount program with the Hillsborough High School Raiders. The salon also performs free hair cuts for donors to the Locks of Love cancer program.

Fantastic Sam's is open seven days a week: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Further information is available by calling Fantastic Sam's at (908) 281-0148.

Visit the Operation Shoebox Jersey website at opshoeboxnj.org or call (908) 698-0333 to learn more about volunteer opportunities.

SOMERVILLE (June 17) - The Somerville Business Association has joined Operation Shoebox New Jersey to sponsor a packing event at Veterans Memorial Plaza adjacent to the county administration building on Saturday, June 28 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Hundreds of volunteers are expected to sort donated food and toiletry items and help box care packages that will be shipped overseas to U.S. troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and other Mideast locations.

The Somerville Business Association and Operation Shoebox New Jersey are asking those who participate in the packing to bring a bag or box of supplies that can be included in the packages that will be prepared for shipping that day. (See list of needed supplies at bottom of story).

This will be the third OPSHBX NJ packing event hosted by the Somerville merchants and business community.

“The Somerville Business Association is honored to work with Operation Shoebox in supporting our brave men and women overseas,” said Stephanie Verb, executive director of the SBA. “We urge the community and business owners to come out and display their patriotism.” Veteran's Memorial Plaza is the ideal venue to commemorate our troops, being the Somerset County seat and home to Operation Shoebox New Jersey,” Verb added

“We are grateful to the Somerville Business Association for this opportunity to bring the community together to demonstrate its support for US troops,” said Rod Hirsch, executive director of OPSHBX NJ.

Eight-foot tables with bins of toiletries, snacks and other items will be set up beneath a tent on the plaza, which is nestled in between the Somerset County Administration Building and Somerset County Jail on Grove Street. Volunteers will pack plastic bags which are then placed inside the boxes that will be received by military personnel, many of whom are from central New Jersey.

Founded in February, 2005, OPSHBX NJ is a volunteer, grass roots organization that relies on the generosity and support of individuals, families, veterans and civic organizations, schools, businesses and corporations to maintain its supply line. Wide-ranging support has enabled OPSHBX NJ to ship 18,856 packages to US troops overseas. Letters of thanks can be read on the OPSHBX NJ website, opshoeboxnj.org.

Items most requested by troops overseas include: sun screen, foot powder, eye drops, beef jerky, bug spray, lip balm, ear swabs, moist baby wipes (travel size), razors, small drink mixes, socks, snack foods, cereal/ protein bars, microwaveable foods (can or box), hard candy, gum, writing materials, and batteries (any size).

Operation Shoebox New Jersey is a registered non-profit 501(C) (3) New Jersey corporation; all donations are tax-deductible.

Young Actors' Performance Benefits Troops May 2 & 3

(BRANCHBURG) - Students in the township Recreation Department's Creative Theater Program have once again chosen to help Operation Shoebox New Jersey fill care packages sent to U.S. military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The young actors have been in rehearsals for several weeks and will be on stage at the Whiton Elementary School to perform James and the Giant Peach on Friday, May 2nd at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 3rd at 7 p.m.

The price of admission to either performance is a bag of personal care items as requested by U.S. troops overseas - bug spray, sun block, lip balm, drink mixes, gum, beef jerky, tuna and dry cereal are some of the most requested items. A full listing can be accessed on the website's Shopping List link.

This marks the fourth time the Creative Theater program has dedicated their performances to Operation Shoebox New Jersey. Financial contributions will also be accepted.

Further information is available by calling the Recreation Department at (908) 526-1300 extension 188.

Flemington Department Store, Jake’s, TGI Fridays help OPSHBX NJ raise funds

(Flemington March 7) – Three businesses on Route 31 are helping to raise funds for Operation Shoebox New Jersey over the next several weeks.

Flemington Department Store, along with Jake’s and TGI Friday will donate money from flyers brought into the store and restaurants on selected dates.

The donations will help to pay shipping costs of packages that will be boxed and shipped April 12 by members of the St. Magdalen’s R.C. Church.

The packing, sponsored by the Flemington Knights of Columbus Council 3294, in conjunction with Operation Shoebox NJ, will begin at 11 a.m.

Flemington Department Store, Route 31 across from the former site of Flemington Raceway, will donate 10 percent on all sales of apparel and shoes on April 4, 5 and 6 if you present a copy of the flyer which can be downloaded from this page.

TGI Fridays, on Route 31 N near the traffic circle, will donate 20 percent of all meals served from 5-9 p.m. on Thursday March 20th and March 27th. A copy of this story must be presented.

Jake's, on Route 31 S near Home Depot, will donate 10 percent of all meals served all night on Thursday April 3rd.

To help the Knights plan the event, please e-mail operationshoebox@stmag.org to let us know you wish to volunteer, though walk-ins will be welcome.

For more information please contact Chris McPherson at 908-806-3357

Please help support Operation Shoebox NJ by enjoying the great food at these restaurants. Just present this notice on the nights listed.

Copy of Article

Flyer

Operation Shoebox logo products are on sale at Flemington Dept Store

Somerset Patriots offer free tickets for fans who support Operation Shoebox New Jersey

(Bridgewater Feb. 21) - The Somerset Patriots are offering patriotic fans a free ticket in return for donating supplies to U.S. troops overseas.

The three-time Atlantic League champions will kick off single ticket sales for the entire 2008 season - including tickets to the July 16th All-Star game - on March 8 at Commerce Bank Ballpark from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Volunteers from Operation Shoebox New Jersey will be on hand to collect donated supplies. Any fan that brings an item that day to donate will receive a special Buy One Get One Free ticket offer good for any Sunday through Thursday game all season long.

Ticket prices for the 2008 season, including the All-Star Game are $12.50 for Premium Field Box Seats, $10 for Field Box Seats, and $9 for Upper Box Seats.

Normal game times for the 2008 season are 7:05 pm Monday through Saturday and 1:35 pm or 5:05 pm on Sundays. The Patriots will host special Commerce Bank Ballpark 10th Anniversary Celebration Nights, additional fireworks shows, giveaway nights featuring items such as Slider the Mascot Bobblehead Dolls and Sparkee the Mascot Wobbler Dolls, and theme nights to assure that there will be something happening at the ballpark for all 70 home games.

"We are looking forward to an All-Star season at Commerce Bank Ballpark. Following a record-breaking year for our team, we are looking to build upon the excitement from 2007. Having the All-Star Game and the celebration of the ballpark's tenth anniversary will help us have our very best year yet," said Patrick McVerry, President/ General Manager of the Somerset Patriots Baseball Club.

Operation Shoebox New Jersey is a grass roots, volunteer organization dedicated to collecting donated supplies and shipping care packages to U.S. troops based in Iraq, Afghanistan and other Middle East countries. It has shipped over 16,000 personal care packages overseas since it was founded in February, 2005. Fans wishing to donate supplies during the season can drop them off inside the Patriots ticket lobby at Commerce Bank Ballpark

For a list of items to bring to the ballpark - including lip balm, moist wipes. batteries, cans of tuna and snacks - please visit www.opshoeboxnj.org or call (908) 698-0333.

For more information on how to be part of the Patriots' 2008 season, call (908) 252-0700 or visit the website at www.somersetpatriots.com

launches campaign in 268 supermarkets across six states to raise funds for Operation Shoebox New Jersey

(MONTVALE Feb. 2) - A&P Supermarkets in New Jersey, along with food stores in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware and Maryland have launched a three-week fund-raising campaign in 268 stores to support Operation Shoebox New Jersey.

The "Send a Special Message to Our Troops" campaign is highlighted in coupon circulars that will be distributed to shoppers by mail and at each of the stores through Feb. 23; a total of 10 million circulars will be distributed over the next three weeks, according to an A&P spokesperson.

Shoppers are asked to request a postcard from cashiers and address their own personal message to a soldier. The postcard will be swiped by the cashier, with $8.95 donated to Operation Shoebox New Jersey. The postcards will be collected at each store and forwarded to Operation Shoebox New Jersey where they will be inserted into each care package.

The $8.95 represents the cost of shipping a package overseas to U.S. military personnel in Iraq, Afghanistan and other Mideast locations.

Each store will display posters in their windows and at the check-out line to advertise the program, which is running in tandem with A&P's annual "Great American Brand Sale."

The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company is one of the oldest supermarket chains in the United States. In addition to A&P food stores, several other chains, subsidiaries of A&P, are involved in the "Send a Special Message to Our Troops" campaign - Waldbaum's, Superfresh, A&P Super Stores and Food Mart.

Copies of each week's sales circular can be accessed on the A&P website - apsupermarket.com.

Volunteers pack 1,017 packages; OPSHBX NJ marks third anniversary

(Manville Feb. 2) - The generosity of the central New Jersey community was exhibited once again as hundreds of volunteers from young Daisy Girl Scouts to veterans of the Korean and Vietnam conflicts came together to pack 1,017 care packages for U.S. troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

This outpouring of support for U.S. troops deployed overseas helped commemorate the third anniversary of Operation Shoebox New Jersey, a grass-roots volunteer organization that has now sent over 16,000 care packages overseas since February, 2005.

Volunteers arrived loaded down with bags and boxes of supplies that were added to the supplies collected by OPSHBX NJ in preparation for the packing, one of several scheduled during 2008. Financial support, including $500 from students and staff of Gov. Livingston High School in Berkeley Heights were also donated during the event.

Hosted by the Kavanaugh Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2290, volunteers arrived between 10:30-11 a.m. to sign up; the packing began at 11 a.m. and was completed two hours later.

Staff volunteers, assisted by members and parents of the Hillsborough Soccer Club had loaded a 16-foot box truck at OPSHBX NJ headquarters in Hillsborough with supplies the night before the event; that same group helped unload and set up at the VFW building in preparation for the packing.

Each box that was packed included letters and cards as well as Valentine's greetings that were pasted together and written by volunteers during the event. The boxes also included toys and gifts for children in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Employees of the U.S. Postal Service were on hand to help expedite shipment of the packages.

Several more packing events are scheduled with others in the planning stages; those dates will be announced as final details are completed. Confirmed dates are: April 12, St. Magdalen's R.C. Church, Flemington and May 17, Colonial Park, Franklin, in conjunction with the Second annual Bocce Invitational Tournament.

Several “closed” packing events are scheduled at schools throughout New Jersey over the next several months, including: Feb. 15, Morristown middle school; Feb. 23, Scotch Plains/Fanwood High School and March 25, Kiddee Academy, Hillsborough.

More photos of the Feb. 2 packing can be seen by clicking on the Photo Album link.

Shopping Spree volunteers needed to collect supplies at supermarkets in March, April & May

Teams of volunteers are needed to help collect donated supplies outside supermarkets throughout central New Jersey this Spring.

Volunteers hand out shopping lists to shoppers as they enter the store and collect the donations as the shoppers exit. Teams work from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and can work in shifts. Below is the list of dates:

March 22 - -ShopRite, Bound Brook

March 29 & 30 -- ShopRite, Branchburg

April 5 -- ShopRite, Flemington

April 12 -- StopNShop, Raritan

April 19 -- ShopRite, Bound Brook

April 26 & 27 --ShopRite, Branchburg

May 3 -- ShopRite, Flemington

StopNShop, Raritan

Operation Shoebox New Jersey staff volunteers will help teams set up and break down the display table outside the store and pick up the supplies for transport to the OPSHBX NJ headquarters. OPSHBX NJ will supply all materials necessary to conduct a successful supply drive.

Sign up now! Help OPSHBX NJ ensure a steady supply line of personal care boxes for U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Call OPSHBX NJ headquarters at (908) 698-0333 for further information.

OPSHBX NJ Commemorates 3rd Anniversary with Volunteer Packing Feb. 2

MANVILLE - Volunteers are invited to join Operation Shoebox New Jersey staff to commemorate its third anniversary Feb. 2 and help prepare personal care packages for shipment to U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The packing event will be at the Walter Kavanaugh VFW Post #2290, 600 Washington Ave., Manville, with registration at 10:30 a.m., followed by opening ceremonies. Packing begins at 11 a.m. A light lunch will be provided.

Volunteer packers are encouraged to donate personal care items for shipment, including snacks and toiletries. Check the shopping list on our website and bring along a bag of needed items. The packages sent overseas will include cans of tuna, cans of fruit, trail mix, beef jerky, gum, candy, granola bars, powdered drink mixes, coffee, tea, oatmeal, hot chocolate, toothpaste, tooth brushes, ear swabs, moist wipes, sun block, eye drops, soap, shampoo, socks, stationary, envelopes, pens, batteries and other items.

Each package will also include a box of Girl Scout cookies donated by hundreds of Girl Scouts from the Rolling Hills Council that were sold during their recently-concluded sales campaign and individual bags of popcorn donated by the Patriots Path Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Volunteers will also have the opportunity to sit down and write a short letter or card to the troops; all cards and letters will be inserted into the boxes. We'll also add stuffed animals and other gift items for the troops to hand out to young Iraqi and Afghan children.

Personnel from the Manville Post Office will be on hand to help expedite the boxes for immediate shipment; each package shipped U.S. Priority Mail costs $8.95. All donations are tax deductible. Volunteers are asked to sign up in advance on the OPSHBX NJ website. Call Operation Shoebox New Jersey headquarters at (908) 698-0333 for further information or check the website www.opshoeboxnj.org.

Warren Technology Center of Citi Celebrates Global Community Day by Packing Boxes

On Saturday, November 17, 2007, Citi celebrated the second annual Global Community Day. Designed to demonstrate our unity and shared responsibilities across businesses and around the world, Global Community Day is observed in each of the 100 countries where Citi does business. On this day employees volunteer their time and talents with one goal in mind – to make a difference in the communities where we live and work. This year Citi mobilized more than 58,000 volunteers with upwards of 1,000 events in 600 cities.

The Warren Technology Center, located in Warren, New Jersey was proud to partner with Operation Shoebox New Jersey. Over 120 volunteers, including employees and their friends and families, gathered at the site to put together care packages for troops overseas. The success of the event was due in large part to the generosity of wealth and spirit shown by Citi employees. In addition to the 250 care packages that comprised the initial project, the onsite goods drive yielded supplies in such quantities that another 250 care packages were mailed the following week.

Jersey's helping hands

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

BY MICHELE HOWE Star-Ledger Staff

Who: Ana Duarte-McCarthy, Citigroup's chief diversity officer

What: Citigroup's second Global Community Day in Warren

Goal: Filling holiday packages for our troops.

Quote: "We recognize that our employees around the world volunteer on their own, and this is an opportunity on the corporate level to bring people together to take part in a wide range of opportunities," Duarte-McCarthy said.

Background: Citigroup employees, their family members and friends got together Nov. 17 at the company's Warren Technology Center to help a nonprofit group provide holiday packages to U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"We worked in partnership with Operation Shoebox NJ to fill the packages with snacks and toiletries to send to troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan," Duarte-McCarthy said.

The employees were encouraged to donate the requested items.

"Volunteers, including my daughter, Alissa, wrote personal notes and cards of appreciation to include in the care packages, and a local Girl Scout troop donated boxes of cookies. We ended up with 250 boxes that day and shipped them out, and an extra 250 boxes went out later," Duarte-McCarthy said.

Personal: Duarte-McCarthy lives in Basking Ridge with her husband, Michael McCarthy, and their daughter, Alissa McCarthy, 12.

How you can help: To donate to Operation Shoebox NJ, log onto http://www.opshoeboxnj.org.

Michele Howe may be reached at mhowe@starledger.com or (973) 392-5805.

Care in a Box

WEST MILFORD — Over the years, West Milford resident Jane Mamer has listened attentively as her husband, Fred, and his friend spoke about their tours in Vietnam. When an opportunity presented itself to do something positive for the troops currently on active duty, Jane was ready to roll. Nearly three years ago Jane was working at a weekly newspaper in Somerset. The executive editor, Rod Hirsch, had an idea, a way to show support and make life a little nicer for deployed military personnel. After a brainstorming session, Operation Shoebox New Jersey was born and Jane found her niche. Since that time, this all volunteer, non-political, nonprofit organization has shipped over 13,600 care packages to Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine personnel in Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan and other Middle East countries.

For more of this story, click on or type the URL below:

http://www.strausnews.com/articles/2007/11/29/west_milford_messenger/news/4.txt

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Branchburg's Traveling Bears Deployed to Iraq

(MANVILLE, Nov. 10) - Two special packages with the Branchburg Recreation Department's traveling bears Branesh and Dudley nestled inside were shipped to Iraq along with 921 other holiday gift boxes packed by volunteers during the annual Holiday Packing hosted by Operation Shoebox New Jersey at the Kavanaugh VFW Post 2290.

Sarah Sadler and Lucas Greenspan, members of the Recreation Department youth volunteer group looked on as the bears, equipped with extra clothing, helmets, passports and wearing dog tags were readied for their journey overseas.

The idea to send our bears to Iraq came about when 30 children from the Branchburg Recreation Department's new youth volunteer program were volunteering at the Operation Shoebox NJ office in Hillsborough, sorting donations, filling out custom forms and making greeting cards. The kids were discussing the traveling bears and where they had traveled when Rod Hirsch, the founder and Executive Director of Operation Shoebox NJ, overheard their discussion and asked if we would like the bears to travel to Iraq. Of course we said yes!

Twins Branesh and Dudley Bear and their brother Ken Beary Bear have enjoyed many happy adventures while vacationing with various families in Branchburg. Some of the places they have traveled to include Germany, Disneyland, California, Lake George, Vermont and many beaches and lakes in New Jersey. The children who have "borrowed" the bears have written stories about their adventures and have sent pictures that are displayed on a bulletin board in the recreation office.

Branesh Bear has been deployed to the Baghdad area and will be supervised by 22 year-old Manville resident Kimberly Kaminski who is serving with the United States Air Force. Dudley Bear is on his way to "serve" with Branchburg resident, Marine Cpl. Domenick Distano.

Our Branchburg Recreation Department ambassadors have been commissioned to interact with the troops and report back to us of their adventures.

Hopefully, Branesh & Dudley will be able to interact with the Iraqi children and visit the new schools that are being built in Iraq and will also report on the good deeds the United States Armed Forces are accomplishing overseas.

We are unbearably excited and are looking forward to receiving pictures, e-mails and letters from the troops serving in Iraq and learning first paw (hand) about Dudley and Branesh's adventures with the outstanding young men and women who are serving overseas with the United States Armed Forces.

This news item was submitted by Mary Beth Ferris, program coordinator at the Branchburg Recreation Department.

Seasons’ Greetings to U.S. servicemen . . .

Let’s not forget to send best wishes for the holiday season to U.S. military personnel around the world and close to home.

Xerox is providing a free public service for those who wish to send a card to any serviceman overseas. Visit their website, www.LetsSayThanks.com and you can select a thank you card that Xerox will print and send to a soldier serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

It’s free, so make sure to take advantage of the opportunity and tell your friends, relatives and co-workers. Let's all do our part

Charlie Company Marines at Camp Fallujah, Iraq unfurl “Greetings from New Jersey” banner signed by hundreds of OPSHBX NJ volunteers

(CAMP FALLUJAH, IRAQ, Oct. 15) - Before they packed up their equipment to return home to the United States recently, members of Charlie Company, 2nd Combat EngineerBattalion posed alongside their “Buffalo” with a king size bedsheet signed by hundreds of Operation Shoebox New Jersey volunteers during the Aug. 18 packing at Commerce Bank Ballpark, Bridgewater.

The banner was sent in one of the boxes received by the unit, under the command of 1st Lt. George A. Saenz, Jr., Route Clearance Platoon Commander C Co., 2nd CEB.

Saenz explains their job: “We are combat engineers whose mission it is to drive in heavily armored, blast resistant vehicles and purposely look for, and destroy, IEDs in and around the roadways. This allows friendly, follow-on forces to achieve the freedom of movement they need in order to accomplish their missions. This also translates into many long hours on the road, both day and night. So, needless to say, the boxes of snacks and other items get put to good use by my Marines.

“It gives us an overwhelming sense of comfort and pride knowing there are people back home that are willing to donate their time and effort to put care packages together for us,” he added in a letter sent to the OPSHBX NJ website earlier this year. “Whenever I receive one of the packages, I am sure to distribute the wealth amongst my platoon and the rest of the company of engineers. We all get a kick out of the notes and drawings the little kids make, too.”

OPSHBX NJ & VFW Post 2290 host Nov. 10 holiday packing

MANVILLE - Volunteers are invited to join Operation Shoebox New Jersey to spread holiday cheer overseas Nov. 10 and help prepare gift packages for shipment to U.S. troops who will be spending the holiday season in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Operation Shoebox New Jersey hosts it third annual Christmas & Winter holiday packing event at the VFW Post #2290, 600 Washington Ave., Manville, with registration at 11 a.m., followed by opening ceremonies at 11:45 a.m. Packing begins at 12noon.

Lunch will be provided.

Volunteer packers are encouraged to donate personal care items for shipment, including snacks and toiletries. Check the shopping list on our website and bring along a bag of needed items.

The packages will include cans of tuna, cans of fruit, trail mix, beef jerky, gum, candy, granola bars, powdered drink mixes, coffee, tea, oatmeal, hot chocolate, toothpaste, tooth brushes, ear swabs, moist wipes, sun block, eye drops, soap, shampoo, socks, stationary, envelopes, pens, batteries and other items.

Volunteers will also have the opportunity to sit down and write a short note with holiday greetings and best wishes; all cards and letters will be inserted into the boxes, along with the personal care items cards, letters and ornaments made the previous week at the Santa's Workshop hosted by OPSHBX NJ and the VFW. We'll also add candy canes, boxes of Girl Scout cookies and tiny stuffed animals for the troops to hand out to young Iraqi and Afghan children.

Personnel from the Manville Post Office will be on hand to help expedite the boxes for immediate shipment; each package shipped U.S. Priority Mail costs $8.95.

All donations are tax deductible.

Call Operation Shoebox New Jersey headquarters at (908) 698-0333 for further information.

OPSHBX NJ & VFW Post 2290 host pancake breakfast & Santa's workshop Nov. 3

Manville - Operation Shoebox New Jersey and VFW Post #2290, 600 Washington Ave., Manville will serve breakfast and put volunteers to work in Santa's Workshop Nov. 3 beginning at 8 a.m.

Guests are invited to sit down for a hearty breakfast before shifting over to Santa's workshop where they will make Christmas ornaments and write letters and cards that will be sent overseas to U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan when volunteers gather at the VFW building the following Saturday, Nov. 10 to pack and ship boxes during the third annual holiday packing event hosted by Operation Shoebox New Jersey.

Breakfast will be served until 11 a.m. and will include pancakes, sausage, fruit juice and hot beverages. Cost is $5 adults, $3 children; those under 3 are free.

The workshop will open the same time breakfast begins and will close at noon. All cards, writing supplies and ornament materials will be provided at no cost.

Participants are invited to attend both events and encouraged to donate personal care items for shipment, including snacks and toiletries. Check the shopping list on our website.

All proceeds from the breakfast will benefit the VFW Post 2290 and OPSHBX NJ. All donations are tax deductible.

Call Operation Shoebox New Jersey headquarters at (908) 698-0333 for further information.

Girl Scouts to hold supply drive in Belvidere Oct. 27

BELVIDERE (Oct. 12) - The Valley Ridge Service Unit of the Rolling Hills Girl Scout Council has decided again this year to designate Operation Shoebox New Jersey as the recipient for the Make a Difference Day campaign. Girl Scouts from several troops in Warren County will gather at the Belvidere Presbyterian Church, 2222 Mansfield St., beginning at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 27 to drop off and sort the supplies they have gathered which will be sent overseas to U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Girl Scouts will also write cards and letters that will be enclosed in the boxes that will be packed Nov. 10 during the annual holiday packing hosted by Operation Shoebox New Jersey at VFW Post 2290 in Manville.

Flyers are being sent home to parents from area schools, and distributed at churches and through other civic organizations. Last year, close to 200 Girl Scouts gathered at the church and packed enough supplies to fill up two pick-up trucks and a car.

Further information is available by calling Jackie Bronico at (908) 763-1232.

Visit Operation Shoebox New Jersey at the Historic Soldiers Weekend Oct. 27 in Burlington .

See poster 2007_poster.pdf

Branchburg Twins Celebrate Sixth Birthday; Parents Ask Party Guests to Bring Gifts for US troops

(BRANCHBURG Aug. 25) - Twins Emma and Nicky Shimsky celebrated their sixth birthday Aug. 25 with a big party in the expansive backyard of their home in Branchburg.

But there weren't any presents for the kids; instead, their parents asked all guests to bring gift bags and boxes loaded with supplies and personal care items for U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

By day's end, a huge pile of donations was spread across the floor of the Shimsky's kitchen.

The twins and their friends also filled out dozens of Hero greeting cards that will be sent in the boxes shipped to the soldiers and Marines overseas by Opeation Shoebox New Jersey volunteers.

Jennifer and Nick Shimsky explain here, in their own words, why they decided to honor the troops:

Emma and Nicky were born two weeks before 9/11/01. While watching the dramatic scenes unfold on the TV before us, we realized the world we were able to grow up in would be much different then theirs would be.

We have the greatest appreciation and gratitude for all the men and women in the armed services, that because of them, our children are able to know and appreciate the freedom of living in The United States of America.

We wanted to take the opportunity that Operation Shoebox New Jersey allowed us and collect donations for the troops in lieu of presents for Emma and Nicky's 6th birthday.

We truly appreciate all the donations made by friends and family as well as all the work that Operation Shoebox New Jersey does to encourage and support our troops.

- The Shimsky Family - Nick, Jen, Emma,Nicky & Elizabeth

OPSHBX NJ volunteers invited aboard USS New Jersey battleship to pack boxes for troops

(CAMDEN, Sept. 11) - The volunteer staff of Operation Shoebox New Jersey has been invited aboard the USS New Jersey battleship to assist a group of Merck employees pack boxes for shipment to US troops overseas.

The Sept. 19 packing event is part of a team building exercise for 60 Merck employees from the Camden/Philadelphia area. The group has been collecting supplies for one month in preparation for the packing.

OPSHBX NJ volunteer staff will set up and supervise a packing and shipping area on the fantail of the 888-foot battleship, the most decorated ship in the history of the United States Navy, with 19 battle stars representing the ship's service in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Middle East.

Built across the Delaware River at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard and launched in 1942, the USS New Jersey (BB-62) was decommissioned for the final time in 1991; nine years later, Secretary of the Navy Richard Danzig announced that the battleship would be donated to Home Port Alliance of Camden, N.J., opening as a museum and memorial in October, 2001.

Visit the website at www.battleshipnewjersey.org for further information.

Somerset Patriots to Host Aug. 18 Packing Event at Commerce Bank Ballpark

BRIDGEWATER (July 9) - Once again the Somerset Patriots are stepping up to the plate to help Operation Shoebox New Jersey pack and ship care

packages to U.S. troops deployed overseas. The Patriots will host OPSHBX NJ and hundreds of volunteers at Commerce Bank Ballpark Aug. 18; gates open at 11 a.m. with sign-ups through 11:30 a.m., followed by an orientation and instructions. Packing will begin at noon.

The Patriots and OPSHBX NJ are asking those who participate in the packing to bring a bag or box of supplies that can be included in the packages that will be prepared for shipping that day. (See list of needed supplies at bottom of story). To show their appreciation, the three-time Atlantic League champions will give each participant in the packing event a voucher good for a free ticket to any Patriot home game during the remainder of the 2007 season.

This will be the third OPSHBX NJ packing event hosted at the ballpark by the Patriots. Hundreds of volunteers –Girl Scouts, senior citizens, civic organizations, veterans and families - packed 1,192 boxes at the May 21, 2006 event and returned later that year to pack 670 boxes Oct. 21.

“We are grateful to the Patriots for this opportunity to bring the community together to demonstrate its support for US troops,” said Rod Hirsch, executive director of OPSHBX NJ. "We anticipate a good turnout and expect to pack at least 500 boxes,” Hirsch added. “Hopefully, we can do more than that; a lot will depend on the amount of supplies that are brought to the ballpark that day.”

Participants will also have the opportunity to write letters and cards of support that will be packed inside the boxes and sent to the soldiers and Marines in Iraq, Afghanistan and other Middle East locations. Hero post cards will be supplied by the Coloring Card Company of Flemington, courtesy of the Patriots.

Tables with bins of toiletries, snacks and other items will line the concourse of the ballpark, with volunteers forming two lines to pack plastic bags which are then placed inside the boxes.

Lunch will be available; a portion of the proceeds will be donated to OPSHBX NJ by Centerplate, the company that operates the ballpark concessions.

Founded in February, 2005, OPSHBX NJ is an all-volunteer, grass roots organization that relies on the generosity and support of individuals, families, veterans and civic organizations, schools, businesses and corporations.

Wide-ranging support has enabled OPSHBX NJ to raise over $100,000 and ship more than 11,000 packages to US troops overseas.

Letters of thanks from grateful soldiers and Marines can be read on the OPSHBX NJ website, www.opshoeboxnj.org

Items most requested by troops overseas: sun screen, foot powder, eye drops, beef jerky, bug spray, lip balm, ear swabs, moist baby wipes (travel size), razors, small drink mixes, socks, snack foods, cereal/protein bars, microwaveable foods (can or box), hard candy, gum, writing materials, and batteries (any size).

Make plans to participate in future OPSHBX NJ fund raising and packing events Nov. 3, Nov. 10 and Nov. 18.

Operation Shoebox New Jersey is a registered non-profit New Jersey corporation and a qualified 501(c)(3) corporation. All donations are tax-deductible.

Coloring Card Company provides 5,000 cards

ColorMe "Hero Heart Cards" Will Be Collected at Patriots' Home Games and Forwarded to Members of the U.S. Armed Forces by Operation Shoebox New Jersey

(BRIDGEWATER June 14) - The Somerset Patriots and the New Jersey-based Coloring Card Company have teamed up to enable kids to say thanks to U.S. troops stationed overseas. Paul Marciano, company president, has supplied 5,000 of the "Hero Heart Cards" to the Patriots and Operation Shoebox New Jersey for children to color and inscribe messages of thanks to soldiers serving in the U.S. military.

The "Hero Heart Cards" will be distributed for young fans to decorate and insert their own greetings to soldiers stationed abroad. The cards will be collected at Commerce Bank Ballpark and sent to soldiers stationed in Iraq in the boxes mailed overseas by Operation Shoebox New Jersey volunteers. The cards will be distributed at the following Somerset Patriots home games:

Monday, July 2 at 7;05 pm

Wednesday, July 25 at 7:05 pm

Other games are being scheduled.

"We are pleased to join forces with the Somerset Patriots on this exciting project to have children send greetings to soldiers abroad," said Marciano, the founder of the Coloring Card Company. "What could be more American than watching baseball and sending cards to members of the U.S. military?"

The "Hero Heart Cards" were created by a 6-year-old girl named Jordan Pearson with a message she originally wrote to her dad, an Air Force Intelligence officer stationed in the Middle East. "One day my daddy told me he had to go away. He said he had to keep me and my family safe. I missed him very much so I drew him this special heart to show him how much I love him. I colored it like the flag because my daddy says we love America and the flag. My daddy is my hero."

"The Patriots are supportive of efforts to give back to the community, particularly when honoring members of the armed forces. We encourage all our young fans at Commerce Bank Ballpark to participate in this effort to express our gratitude to service men and women and thank the volunteers from Operation Shoebox New Jersey for making it happen," said Patrick McVerry, President/General Manager of the Somerset Patriots Baseball Club.

"Greeting cards typically aren't fun for children," said Marciano "Since children typically only sign their names to store-bought cards, they have little personal meaning for the sender or for the adults who receive them. That's why this heartfelt card drawn by a little girl for her daddy serving in the Air Force is so special."

A child psychologist with a Ph.D. from Yale, Marciano began developing greeting cards featuring drawings submitted by child artists to stimulate children's creativity and engage them in a process that instills meaning into the card-giving process.

Sold in 8-pack sets for $7.95, each individual card costs far less than the price of a standard greeting card, and is inherently more valuable.

Marciano started Coloring Card Company in 2003 with child-drawn birthday and Valentine cards, thank you notes, and party invitations. He later expanded

ColorMe products to include pillowcases, T-shirts, Christmas stockings, and Slumber Party sets that have been a hit with pre-teen girls.

Popular designs include horses, puppies, "Beach girl" and USA map pillowcases and Freedom Isn't Free t-shirts. ColorMe products turn greeting cards, T-shirts and other items into one-of-a-kind keepsakes.

They can be ordered online by visiting

Coloring Card Company believes in the continual process of learning, improving, and "coloring outside the lines." It fosters simple but time-honored values such as having good manners, giving, saying "thank you", and patriotism. It is the only company in the U.S. that donates ten percent of gross proceeds to charities such as Book First, which provides books to children in low-income families, and The Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation which assists children of Marines or Federal law enforcement personnel killed in the line of duty.

Marciano comes from a family with a rich heritage in child educational growth. He is the grandson of Ludwig Bemelmans, creator of the beloved Madeline books that have delighted children for decades. Marciano's personal theme is "Freedom Isn't Free, But Saying Thank You Is."

He is hopeful the Hero Card will inspire children to express their gratitude to heroes of all types this Father's Day, and to "instill core values in

children, such as patriotism, saying 'thank you' and giving."

This story was published in The Reporter

Shoebox operating out of Hillsboro

V.A. Depot new home of organization that aids troops

HILLSBOROUGH -- Operation Shoebox has moved its business to Somerset County-rented space in the V.A. Depot at 152 Route 206 S., where a ceremony was held Monday to mark its opening.

Founded in February 2005, Operation Shoebox New Jersey is an all- volunteer grassroots organization that collects donated supplies for shipment to U.S. troops based in Afghanistan, Iraq and other Middle Eastern nations.

Volunteers gather several times a year to sort donated supplies and pack them in boxes for shipment to soldiers.

Monday's ceremony was attended by local and county officials, as well as Somerset Patriots mascot Sparkee.

ED PAGLIARINI/COURIER NEWS ED PAGLIARINI/COURIER NEWS

Rod Hirsch, founder and executive director of Operation Shoebox New Jersey, speaks Care packages for troops sit on pallets inside

during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday at the organization's new location at the V.A. Operation Shoebox's new facility in Hillsborough.

Depot in Hillsborough.

-- Staff report from the Courier News website www.c-n.com

Operation Shoebox New Jersey assists 3 packing initiatives

CENTRAL NEW JERSEY (June 5) - An elementary school in Franklin, a temple in Warren and a church in Somerville all turned to Operation Shoebox New Jersey last month for assistance in running packing events at their respective locations.

On May 18, students, parents and teachers at the McAfee School in Franklin (K-4th grade) packed 41 boxes for shipment overseas. Each box included cards, letters and pictures drawn by the students, as well as bars of soap that they made from scratch that night. The event was coordinated and supervised by PTO member Rande Kean.

Members of Temple Har Shalom in Warren sorted groceries that had been donated in the weeks leading up to their May 20 event at the temple, and collected over $1,000 to spend on postage needed to ship 106 boxes. Dozens of children colored pictures that day and wrote letters that were placed into each box. The temple conducted a food drive at the Shop-Rite in Flemington to help fill the boxes with donated supplies. The event was coordinated and supervised by Leslie Heilberg.

The following Sunday, members of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Somerset Hills in Somerville sorted and packed 45 boxes to be shipped overseas. The effort was led by Amy O'Connell, a member of the church's Religious Education Committee and Christopher Buja, director of Religious Education. The church conducted a food drive at King's Supermarket in Warren and raised over $300 in donations to defray the cost of postage.

The combined effort saw 192 personal care packages sent to soldiers and Marines whose addresses were obtained from the OPSHBX NJ data base. All three organizations filled out US Customs forms that were affixed to each package. The packing events were run under the supervision of Operation Shoebox New Jersey volunteers

Bocce fans roll one for the troops

Invitational tournament's proceeds will pay for care packages for troops

By KARA L. RICHARDSON

Staff Writer

FRANKLIN (SOMERSET) -- Hundreds of people rolled out support for U.S. troops by playing bocce all day Sunday at Colonial Park.

The first annual Bocce Invitational Tournament -- Operation Shoebox's new, signature fundraiser -- helps the organization box and ship supplies to troops serving overseas.

About 30 four-member teams participated. Some players came from as far as Florida. The winning team was Rompi Palle, a group of friends including Andy Cozzi of the Somerset section of Franklin, Frank Dolce of Sparta, Jon Ferrante of Roxbury and Dom Fadrazio of Denville.

The aim of bocce is to roll a ball (each of the four players gets two) as close as possible to a smaller ball, called a "pallina." The players' expertise Sunday ranged from Joe DaMato of North Brunswick, who grew up playing bocce in the town square in Salerno, Italy, to his friend and teammate, Anthony Stazzone of Bernardsville, whose relative took out the bocce set at family gatherings.

"The game promotes family and friendship," Stazzone said about the game, an Italian-American tradition.

The event also broke in Colonial Park's eight new bocce courts, which were completed about two weeks ago, said Cindie Sullivan, a Somerset County Park Commission spokeswoman. The crushed stone courts are between the park's rose gardens and perennial gardens.

Special guests such as former New Jersey Devils left winger Rob Skrlac and defenseman Tommy Albelin got a crash course in bocce. Rutgers football players Keith Taylor, Brian Tracey, Corey Hyman and Jamaal Westerman also got into the game.

"The first game was a warm-up," Tracey said a few moments before he rolled a ball just inches from the pallina, to the dismay of his opponents -- Montclair-area friends Frank Vecchione, Mike Caggiano, George Falco and Italian Tribune publisher Buddy Fortunato.

"I could take this up," Taylor said. It's relaxing, not as intense as football."

Phil Ferrari, the U.S. singles bocce champion and founder of the World Bocce League, supervised the judging. In bocce circles, he's known as America's Mr. Bocce.

Volunteer Frank Valanzola, event organizer and Rod Hirsch, Operation Shoebox founder and executive director, said players paid $100 to participate in the tournament. Event proceeds will pay for the mailing of boxes of supplies to soldiers.

As the game rolled on, volunteers packed 900 boxes for soldiers and Marines. The boxes contained snacks, lip balm, toiletries, writing pads and batteries.

Hirsch said that brings the total number of Operation Shoebox packages to about 11,100 since the organization's founding in 2005.

This story appared in The Courier News June 4, 2007

Bocce Invitational to Benefit Troops

Home News Tribune Online 05/28/07

By BOB CONSIDINE

GANNETT NEW JERSEY

The Bocce Invitational Tournament on June 3 might have a uniquely local appeal, but its benefits will be felt by those far away.

Funds from the tournament will go toward Operation Shoebox New Jersey, a nonprofit organization based in Somerville, which supplies personal care packages and letters to U.S. troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Since Feb. 2005, the organization has shipped nearly 10,000 packages overseas thanks to thousands of volunteers participating in community packing events.

"This is not any kind of political organization — that's not what we do," said Rod Hirsch, the founder and executive director of Operation Shoebox. "This is strictly about helping these guys out there and letting them know that we care.

"It's a pretty simple mission and Somerset County is a wonderful area for us to do something like this. It's very patriotic, very red, white and blue."

During the tournament, Operation Shoebox NJ will host a large-scale packing event adjacent to the bocce courts at Colonial Park in Franklin from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All participants are asked to bring a shopping bag full of items, which will be packed and shipped on that very day.

Suggested items included powdered drink mixes, lip balm, sticks of gum, moist towel packets, bars of soap, small shampoo bottles, writing pads, pens, batteries and food items such as small cans of pop-top tuna fish and fruit, beef jerky and granola bars.

Some proceeds of food and drink served by local restaurants during the event will also go to Operation Shoebox.

This could be one of the more successful drives in the organization's history. On Feb. 24, with VFM Post 2290 in Manville and the Manville Post Office helping to celebrate the organization's second anniversary, 700 volunteers helped pack and ship 1,143 boxes.

Last May, an auxiliary facility set up by the United States Postal Service at Commerce Bank Ballpark resulted in 750 volunteers packing and shipping 1,192 boxes.

Hirsch said the most rewarding part of Operation Shoebox is the feedback his organization gets from the soldiers because personalized letters are a part of the care packages.

"The letters are a big part of it," he said. "There can be anything from preschool kids drawing pictures to high school kids writing letters. I met one guy come back and showed me that he carried four letters in his wallet, just to show how important they were to him."

Bobby Valli to Perform “America, A Home for You and Me” at Bocce tournament; June 3 Benefit Supports US Troops Overseas

FRANKLIN (Somerset County) - New Jersey vocalist and songwriter Bobby Valli will perform “A Salute to Our Troops,” his stirring red-white-and-blue tribute to America's fighting forces at the Operation Shoebox New Jersey June 3 Bocce Invitational Tournament.

The day-long benefit, sponsored and hosted by OPSHBX NJ will help to raise funds needed to ship personal care packages to US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Valli, born and raised in Newark, is just one of dozens of Italian-Americans from New Jersey to step up and support the event; he will donate a portion of the proceeds from each recording sold to OPSHBX NJ.

“I'm not for or against the war; I wrote the song for these men and women in the armed forces who are risking their lives in the fight against terrorism,” Valli explained.

“It's really just to honor them.”

All proceeds - entry fees, sponsorships and revenue from the sponsors' program - benefit OPSHBX NJ, a non-profit New Jersey corporation dedicated to sending care packages to US troops overseas. Since its founding in 2005, the organization has raised $100,000 and shipped 10,000 boxes overseas.

In conjunction with the tournament, OPSHBX NJ will host a large-scale packing event adjacent to the bocce courts beneath a large circus tent. All players and spectators are invited to participate. Everyone will be asked to write a letter or greeting card to a soldier or Marine which will be enclosed in each package.

Valli, who performs in casinos, nightclubs and aboard cruise ships appears frequently with Joey Dee and the Starliters and includes the song in his show, as well as several songs from The Four Seasons; the “Brother-to-Brother” tribute honors his older brother, Frankie Valli, the signature voice of The Four Seasons.

Helping to run the tournament will be “America's Mr. Bocce,” Phil Ferrari, the U.S. Singles Bocce champion and founder of the World Bocce League. He is flying in for the event from Illinois and will supervise the tournament, providing instruction, and demonstrating the basic standards of play according to United States Bocce Federation guidelines.

He will also supervise all judging.

Vincent D'Aniello and his son Anthony, owners of Manville Pizza and Restaurant, will cater the awards dinner at the conclusion of the tournament, while Jeff Neary, owner of The Wine Room in Bound Brook, has agreed to donate a barrel of wine for players and spectators to enjoy during the benefit, which begins at 9 a.m. at the 691-acre Colonial Park in Franklin, owned and operated by the Somerset County Park Commission.

A whole cast of celebrity look-alikes will mingle with the players and spectators throughout the event, with soldiers recently returned from the placeMideast and their families on hand as guests of honor.

Celebrity look-alikes Joe Manuella (Robert DeNiro) and Vince Caravello (Joe Pesci) are reaching out to their extensive network of impersonators, entertainers and comics to help them host the tournament.

Compassion and patriotism is what attracts supporters to OPSHBX NJ, which is evidenced by the response of the Italian-American community to the bocce event, according to Valanzola.

“Each soldier, each Marine who receives a care package from this event will know that all Italian-Americans came together that day to not only raise money, but to show their support for our brave and dedicated military men and women overseas,” Valanzola said.

Patriotic Italian Americans and Italian-American organizations throughout New Jersey continue to commit resources and financial support to help ensure the success of the bocce tournament and packing event.

Bill Schievella, a sergeant for the state Parole Bureau in Passaic County, is president of the Italian-American Police Society of New Jersey, which has 5,500 members in all 21 New Jersey counties. Members include local police, state police and federal agents who work or live in the state, as well as those who work for other law enforcement agencies.

“We're excited about the Bocce Invitational on two levels; first, it's a patriotic endeavor, and it's important for us to reach out to our troops,” he said. “It's also a chance to bring together a large group of Italian-Americans to play an Italian-American sport.”

Vinny Nardone, a police sergeant in the Essex County Prosecutor's Office is coordinating the organization's involvement with the Bocce Invitational. He said several motorcycle police from several different departments will ride in on their bikes.

“We're going to make a donation, sponsor some teams, help pack some boxes, do anything we can to support Operation Shoebox New Jersey,” Nardone said.

Sponsors include Roma Bank and The Italian Tribune, a weekly newspaper published in New Jersey with a circulation of 100,000. Also planning to participate are several local chapters of UNICO, The Italian-American Association and Sons of Italy.

Other sponsors include The Somerset Patriots baseball team and Flemington Car & Truck Country.

“This is something that makes a lot of sense,” said Larry Paragano, chairman of the New Jersey Italian and Italian-American Heritage Commission. “Our poor boys are out there in Iraq and Afghanistan, and they've got enough problems with a country that sometimes doesn't stand behind their efforts to the nth degree as we should, regardless of whether we should be there.

“Our boys are laying their lives on the line,” he added. “We need to support this bocce fund-raising effort because it helps so much, it's one simple way to help send the troops an expression of our support and appreciation.”

The opening ceremonies will feature color guards representing all U.S. Armed Forces, as well as the Somerset County Sheriff Honor Guard and the Somerset County Pipe & Drum corps. A flyover of vintage airplanes, led by Joe Borin and his checkered red-and-white BT-13A WWII trainer will cap off the ceremonies.

Several dignitaries, celebrities and professional athletes are also expected to attend.

First- Second- and Third-place winners will be presented with gold, silver and bronze ribbon medallions during the awards dinner, which will begin at 6 p.m. A silent auction and 50-50 raffle will be held during the dinner.

Those who attend the tournament are asked to bring a shopping bag full of items that can be sorted by OPSHBX NJ volunteers before they are packaged and shipped that day.

Suggested items include powdered drink mixes, lip balm, small cans of pop-top tuna fish and fruit; sticks of gum, packets of moist towels, bars of soap, small bottles of shampoo, beef jerky, granola bars, writing pads, pens and batteries.

“Our bocce tournament team - Chairman Frank Valanzola, working along with OPSHBX NJ volunteers Pat DeChirico, (USMC Ret.) and Somerset County Sheriff Frank Provenzano - has spread a wide net across New Jersey, visiting dozens of Italian-American organizations,” said Rod Hirsch, founder and executive director of OPSHBX NJ. “Every player who signs up to play, and every company that signs on as a sponsor, validates the hard work of our dedicated volunteers and is assurance that our organization will have the resources to continue sending thousands of packages to our troops filled with a little piece of home.”

Food and beverage will be served by several local restaurants that will set up portable kitchens under a large food tent and donate a percentage of their receipts to OPSHBX NJ.

North Hunterdon HS sends 200 packages to troops

CLINTON TOWNSHIP (March 31) - Scattered at outposts and base camps throughout Iraq and Afghanistan, thousands of American soldiers and Marines far from home look forward each day to mail call.

It's the highlight of their day, and for five graduates of North Hunterdon High School deployed with U.S. troops overseas, mail call this week will have a few extra added surprises.

Each will be receiving more than a dozen care packages containing personal care items that were donated by students at their former high school. Their boxes also contained individual letters written by students.

A total of 200 boxes were packed and processed for shipping by students March 31, culminating a supply drive that kicked off in February with a school wide assembly attended by all 1,800 students.

Art Boyev, who is a senior at the school and vice president of the Student Council, organized the supply drive and packing event; after he graduates in June, he is headed to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point where he will train for the next four years to become an officer in the US Army.

Fellow seniors Harry Owusu-Dapaah, president of the Student Council, and George Vallone, president of The Future Leaders Club worked with Boyev, with Irene Dolan, assistant principal advising.

Soon after he began to formulate the collection drive and packing event, Boyev turned to Operation Shoebox New Jersey for help.

The non-profit agency, based in Somerville, has been hosting collection drives and packing events in New Jersey since February, 2005, and has raised over $100,000 and shipped more than 10,000 packages to US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

One dozen volunteers from OPSHBX NJ joined with Boyev and other students in the school cafeteria to sort the items collected over the past month, selecting items from several dozen bins, everything from canned tuna and granola bars to bars of soap, eye drops and hand wipes.

The students worked under the supervision of Spanish teacher Rachel Kayal.

The items were placed in plastic bags, which were packed into boxes along with boxes of Girl Scout cookies, playing cards, books, boxes of tissues and other personal care items.

Students also helped address US Customs forms which were attached to each box. The boxes were taped shut, and processed on site by personnel from the US Post Office in Annandale.

Boyev raised over $1,000 to cover the expense of shipping the boxes, with the largest donations coming from Christine and George Vallone, Chris Licata of Fleet Service, Elizabeth, Pulse Fitness and Thomas Walsh.

"It was a lot of hard work, but a lot of people chipped in to make it a success," Boyev said afterwards. "It was for a good cause. I know the soldiers will be happy with what they get in the boxes and they know that we're thinking about them back home."

School principal Michael P. Hughes addressed a letter to the troops, which read:

"To all of our brave men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan:

Our students and staff at North Hunterdon High School in Clinton, New Jersey, and our entire community are very proud of your commitment and courage.

We hoped to honor your service by collecting and shipping personal items that you might enjoy through Operation Shoebox.

The project began when one of our seniors, Art Boyev, approached the administrators about beginning a collection for the troops. Art, who will be attending West Point upon graduation, certainly understands the commitment that he and all of you who currently serve have made to protect this great nation. He also understands the sacrifices.

Art and North Hunterdon partnered with Rod Hirsch and the terrific volunteers at Operation Shoebox. Rod asked four returned members of the various branches of the military to present their personal stories of life overseas to our 1800 students during an assembly in February.

They spoke about the triumphs and camaraderie among their colleagues. They also spoke of the less than luxurious conditions in Iraq and Afghanistan. One marine mentioned the pleasure of brushing his teeth with a toothbrush that was not clotted with sand. Their stories touched us.

We know we cannot provide you with the luxuries you deserve, but we hope this gift of some necessities will brighten your day."

Mission accomplished (really)

By Mary Ellen Zangara

Special Writer

MANVILLE (March 1) - If any of the more than 700 people crowding the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2290 on Saturday for the Operation Shoebox project to send personal items to soldiers stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan wondered if the effort was worthwhile, they needed only to ask Marine Sgt. Steve Ritter.

"I was a recipient of 100 shoe boxes — it was like Christmas every day, the first couple trickled through," Sgt. Ritter said.

He said the boxes were arranged by Mike Impellizeri, a friend and co-worker at the U.S. Postal Service, and he became the envy of his squadron during his two tours in 2004 and 2005 in Iraq and Anbar Province for the supplies he received.

"When I got the first couple, it was really nice and then when they started coming in, 10, 12, 13 at a time," he added. "I was with 400 people and whatever we didn't use, we shared with others and everything was appreciated, and nothing went to waste."

Saturday's Operation Shoebox New Jersey packed the VFW with volunteers and donations for the care packages for the soldiers. By the end of the day, the volunteers packed 1,143 boxes that were shipped with the help of the Manville Post Office.

Many of the boxes also contained a letter — Girl Scout Julie Meier from Junior Troop 1065 in Bridgewater came to help along, with her grandmother Janet Meier and both wrote letters to the soldiers.

The event began at 10 a.m. with an opening flag ceremony by the members of VFW Post 2290 and a welcome by organizer Rod Hirsch.

After welcoming the crowd, Mr. Hirsch said his goal was to ship 1,000 boxes before extending his appreciation to the borough and the VFW.

"I would first like to personally thank the Borough of Manville, for helping us organize this event," he said. "I would like to thank the Mayor Angelo Corradino and everyone else in this great town of Manville. I would also like to thank the members of VFW Post 2290 they have been absolutely fantastic."

The volunteers were then shown how to gather and pack the items in plastic bag, which were then put in Priority Mail boxes. Each person received two large bags and collected toiletries in one and snacks/food items in the other from two large U-shaped tables set up in the middle of the hall.

The Girl Scouts also donated many boxes of their famous cookies to be sent to the soldiers. When the Scouts sold the cookies at local supermarkets, they asked their customers to consider purchasing a box to be sent to the soldiers.

VFW Ladies Auxiliary National President Linda Meader of New Hampshire made a stop at the post before traveling to her other commitments in New Jersey. Ms. Meader came to the post with the New Jersey Ladies Auxiliary President Eileen Courtney to take part in the event.

"Anything we can do for the troops, I am 150 percent behind because they are the ones that allow us what we are doing today," Ms. Meader said. "If it wasn't for the members of the military, we wouldn't know where we would be or what we would be doing today. Anytime we can do something like this, I am just delighted to be here today to be a part of it."

She thanked all the volunteers for coming out to help.

Ms. Courtney said she was amazed and could not believe all the young people that came out to help, including dozens of Girl Scouts troops from around the area, Boy Scouts, senior citizens, sports teams and other organizations came out to help pack the boxes.

Even families — like Newark Avenue residents Kevin and Lynn Sheehan and their sons, Kyle and Alex.

"We are here for Kyle's youth group from Christ the King. They asked if anyone wanted to help out and we thought that we would. It is a good thing to do," said Ms. Sheehan.

The VFW provided lunch for all of the volunteers.

Donations of funds and items for Operation Shoebox New Jersey are still being taken for future packages. If you would like more information about the program or to make a donation, visit the Web site www.opshoeboxnj.org.

This story appeared in the March 1 issue of The Manville News

Hillsborough Woman's Club adopts Operation Shoebox

Submitted by:

Carolyn Treffinger

Hillsborough

HILLSBOROUGH - The Woman's Club of Hillsborough has selected "Operation Shoebox" as their community development project.

Rod Hirsch, Founder/Executive Director of Operation Shoebox, will speak at the club's meeting on 2/27 at the Municipal Building at 7:30 p.m.

Operation Shoebox's mission is to collect and ship personal items to our men and women serving overseas. Items such as lip balm, sun block, bug spray, powdered drink mixes, hot chocolate packets, cans of tuna or fruit with pop-tops, athletic socks, gum and snack bars are items sent overseas.

Any monetary donations are tax-deductible. The Woman's Club of Hillsborough will be collecting these items from their members as well as donations from township residents at various locations.

Information about Operation Shoebox is on their website www.opshoeboxnj.org.

This story appeared in The Courier News.

Irish Pub in Somerville sells Soldiers' Shamrocks

SOMERVILLE (Feb. 25) - One of New Jersey's most popular Irish pubs is promoting the weeks leading up to St. Patrick's Day as a time to wave the red, white and blue flag.

Mannion's, 150 West Main Street, Somerville, is selling personalized shamrocks in increments of $1, $5, and $10 which will be hung on the walls of the bar and restaurant, with all proceeds donated to Operation Shoebox New Jersey (www.opshoeboxnj.org) . Donors will be asked to write their names on the shamrocks before they are displayed.

"We want to do what's good for the soldiers, get some money together to get out more packages to Iraq and Afghanistan so that they have some of the comforts of home," said owner Pat Mannion.

Mannion, a founding member and longtime supporter of Operation Shoebox New Jersey, has held several fund raising events for OPSHBX, including last year's "Soldiers' Shamrocks," and a performance by the Willie Lynch Trio.

If you ask him, Mannion will also mix up a "Soldier's Salute" cocktail for $6, a red, white and blue mixed drink unlike anything else on the bar menu, with $1 from each drink donated to OPSHBX.

Founded in 2005, Operation Shoebox New Jersey, a non-profit corporation, has shipped 9,300 packages overseas. All donations are tax deductible.

Mannion said buying a shamrock is a great way to celebrate your heritage - even if you aren't Irish - as well as salute the service of America's troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Mannion has issued a challenge to his bartenders and servers, with drinks and dinner for two the prize for selling the most shamrocks.

He expects the shamrocks will spread across the walls quickly on March 11, when Somerville hosts Central New Jersey's largest St. Patrick's Day Parade.

Further information is available by calling Mannion's at (908) 231-0700.

Volunteers Pack 1,143 Care Packages For US Troops Overseas

MANVILLE (Feb. 24) - More than 700 volunteers helped to box and ship 1,143 care packages for U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan during the second anniversary packing event sponsored by Operation Shoebox New Jersey at the Kavanaugh VFW Post 2290.

More than two dozen Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops participated, as did members of several veterans' organizations, senior citizen groups, active service personnel and families. Personnel from the Manville Post Office were on hand to help expedite the boxes for immediate shipment.

Volunteers also wrote cards and letters which were packed in the boxes with thousands of letters and cards already submitted by schools located in Somerset, Hunterdon, Middlesex and Union counties.

Each box contained dozens of toiletries, snack and food items and a box of Girl Scout cookies. Troops in the Rolling Hills Council donated more than 2,000 boxes of cookies over the past three months. Each box also contained a package of powdered ice tea mix donated by Boy Scout Troop 29, Dunellen. Students from the McManus School in Linden donated more than 60 bags of supplies from a two-week supply drive held at the school.

The packages also included cans of tuna, cans of fruit, trail mix, beef jerky, gum, candy, granola bars, powdered drink mixes, coffee, tea, oatmeal, hot chocolate, toothpaste, tooth brushes, ear swabs, moist wipes, sun block, eye drops, soap, shampoo, socks, stationary, envelopes, pens, batteries and other items. Thousands of Central New Jerseyans donated every item packed in each box; monies donated to Operation Shoebox New Jersey pay for the shipment of each package sent overseas - $8.10 per box.

Donations totaled over $4,000, including $800 from the McManus School in Linden; $500 from Manville PBA Local 236; $200 from the Hunterdon County Bulldogs Marine Corps Detachment 927; $100 from a second lieutenant now serving in Iraq; $100 from the Hunterdon Hills VFW Post 6059; $75 from the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Unit 304, Manville and $50 from The Hair Palace, Manville.

The event was filmed by Steve Kaiser, producer of "On the Loose" which appears on PCTV, Channel 22, Cablevision; the show will be seen three times a week during the month of March.

Operation Shoebox New Jersey will host another packing event at the VFW post Nov. 3; several other packing events will take place this spring and summer, as well as many fund raising events.

Continue to check the web site for updates.

Somerset Patriots Tickets on Sale March 10; Ballclub Hosts Collection Event for Operation Shoebox New Jersey, Offers Buy One, Get One Free Deal for Donations

The Somerset Patriots announced Feb. 13 that individual tickets for the 2007 season will go on sale 9 a.m.-4 p.m. March 10 at Commerce Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater.

During the opening day of ticket sales, the Patriots will host a special collection event for Operation Shoebox: New Jersey, an all-volunteer grass-roots organization dedicated to collecting donated supplies and shipping care packages to U.S. troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and other Middle East countries.

Operation Shoebox: New Jersey will be collecting items to ship overseas from the ballpark event. For a list of items to bring to the ballpark, please visit

www.opshoeboxnj.org. Fans who bring an item for Operation Shoebox: New Jersey on March 10 will receive a special buy one, get one free ticket offer for any Sunday through Thursday game all season.

Ticket prices for the 2007 season are $12.50 for premium field box seats, $10 for field box seats, $9 for upper box seats, and $5 for lawn seating. Game times for the 2007 season are 7:05 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1:35 p.m. or 5:05 p.m. on Sundays.

The first 100 people who purchase tickets on the opening day of ticket sales will receive a complimentary Somerset Patriots T-shirt. Sparkee, the team's mascot, will be on hand to meet and greet fans throughout the day.

This story appeared in the Feb. 13 editions of The Courier News, Bridgewater

North Senior Leads Homefront Charge

Teen helps to organize collection for troops before joining West Point Academy

Art Boyev will graduate North Hunterdon Regional High School this summer, say good-bye to family and friends, and head to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in New York to train as an officer in the Army. But before he does so, he’s mobilizing the entire student body at the school to collect personal items, snacks and toiletries which will be boxed and shipped to soldiers and Marines who are stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“As a civilian, it’s the least I can do to help out,” he explained. “I’m going in the service, and when I get out of West Point and I go over there, I hope people will send me boxes and stuff.”

Boyev, who is vice president of the student council and his friend, George Vallone, president of the school’s Future Leaders of America club, will coordinate the food and fund-raising drive, which kicks off with an assembly at the Clinton Township school Tuesday, Feb. 13.

The students will be working with Operation Shoebox New Jersey (OPSHBX), an all-volunteer organization founded in 2005 and based in Somerville, which has shipped more than 8,600 packages to U.S. troops in the Middle East.

Members of the volunteer organization, as well as soldiers and Marines, some of whom have served in the Middle East, will attend he assembly and relate their experience overseas.

Boyev and Vallone intend to distribute a letter to the 1,800 students at the school, soliciting donations from a shopping list based on requests received from troops and compiled by OPSHBX.

Items will be collected daily at the school, and at wrestling matches and basketball games, according to Boyev. The students will also raise money to help defray shipping costs; each box that is sent overseas costs $8.10. The food drive will continue for two weeks, and conclude March 3, when students will gather at the school to pack the boxes with the items collected, according to Boyev.

Residents of Hunterdon County have supported the efforts of OPSHBX since its inception.

The Hunterdon County Bulldogs Detachment 927 has partnered with OPSHBX at several of its packing events; member Dick Brandt maintains the organization’s website, http://opshoeboxnj.org

The ShopRite supermarket on Route 202/31 in Raritan Township has hosted several Soldiers’ Shopping Sprees and donated food; Mike Zambas, owner of the Clinton Station Diner off Exit 11 of Route 78 has sponsored several fund-raising events at the diner to benefit OPSHBX. Nick Dworski, owner of PosalAnnex+ in Frenchtown, has coordinated an ongoing effort to collect donations which are sent overseas.

“We’re really excited to be working with Operation Shoebox New Jersey,” said Dworski. “We found out about their organization through a newspaper article after an event that they did with the Somerset Patriots earlier this year and we wanted to see what we could do to become involved and assist them with their collection efforts.”

Steve Kalafer, owner of the Patriots as well as owner of Flemington Car & Truck Country on Route 31 in Raritan Township, has contributed to OPSHBX, as has comedian Joe Piscopo, a resident of Hunterdon County.

The Champagne Open Golf Tournament, held at Beaver Brook Country Club in the Annandale section of Clinton Township, and hosted by “Champagne” Tony D’Angeleo, has raised $15,000 the past two years; D’Angelo’s son recently returned from serving in Iraq.

"This story appeared in the Feb. 7, 2007 issue of "Today in Hunterdon."

Supermarket Shopping Sprees

SOMERVILLE (Jan. 20) - Help us to help US troops overseas and sign up to he;lp gather donated supplies during one of our upcoming Supermarket Shopping Sprees.

There are nine dates in March, April and May; each spree requires at least 4 people - more is better.

Each spree requires four hours of work outside the supermarket passing out the shopping list of items requested by troops overseas, and collecting bags from the donors as they leave the store.

We also have a money jug for cash donations at each of these events, as it is imperative that we collect money to pay for the postage required; remember, each box that is sent costs $8.10.

Families, friends, business associates, school groups, church groups, senior groups, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, firemen, police, and other organizations are encouraged to sign up. This is a great opportunity for those needing credit for volunteer hours at school, church or in the workplace.

Please contact Julia Simmons at bobshon@optonline to let her know what dates are good for you. Julia will make arrangements for setting you up with a table, shopping lists, jugs and other materials, as well as a time for dropping off the collected goods The list appears below:

March 31 (Saturday) 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Stop & Shop, Raritan

April 7 (Saturday) 10 am-2 pm, ShopRite, Branchburg

April 7 (Saturday) 10 am-2 pm, ShopRite, Bound Brook

April 14 (Saturday) 10 am-2 pm, ShopRite, Flemington

April 21 (Saturday) 10 am-2 pm, ShopRite, Branchburg

April 21 (Saturday) 10 am-2 pm, ShopRite, Bound Brook

April 28 (Saturday) 10 am-2 pm, ShopRite, Flemington

April 28 (Saturday) 10 am-2 pm, Pathmark, Somerville

May 5 (Saturday) 10 am-2 pm, Pathmark, Somerville

OPSHBX NJ Signs Deal for 15 Dates at Commerce Bank Ballpark

BRIDGEWATER (Jan. 19) - Operation Shoebox New Jersey hopes to draft hundreds of volunteers for key positions at ballpark concession stands this spring and summer to help raise money to ship care packages to US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Centerplate, the company that owns the concession stands at Commerce Bank Ballpark, home of the Somerset Patriots, has signed a contract with OPSHBX NJ to man the first- and third-base concession stands, as well as the portable stands lining the concourse during 15 home games, including five fireworks nights.

Volunteers are needed to handle cash registers, prepare food, pour drinks, dip ice cream and pop popcorn. OPSHBX NJ earns a percentage of the total gross sales which are calculated at the end of each game.

Several "veterans" will be returning this year to man the grill and the registers, with dozens of "rookies" signing up to fill out the roster of volunteers.

OPSHBX NJ encourages other organizations - church groups, community groups, school groups, business and company groups, senior groups, families, friends, co-workers and individuals to sign up for at least one game. All volunteers must be at least 16 years of age. Volunteers must also adhere to a dress code, which is required by Centerplate.

Volunteers must arrive at least one hour prior to game time to help set up and prepare food.

These are the dates, including location and the minimum number of volunteers required for staffing:

Ballpark Dates

Saturday, April 14, noon, Third base stand, minimum of 15 volunteers;

Saturday May 5, 7:05 pm, Portables, minimum of 12 volunteers;

Sunday, May 6, 1:35 pm, First Base stand, minimum of 24 volunteers;

Thursday, May 10, 7:05 pm, Third Base stand, minimum of 20 volunteers;

Sunday, May 20, 1:35 pm, First Base stand, minimum of 24 volunteers;

Wednesday, May 23, 7:05 pm, First Base stand, minimum of 24 volunteers;

Wednesday, June 13, 7:05 pm, First Base Stand, minimum of 24 volunteers;

Sunday, June 24, 6:35 pm, Fireworks! Portables, minimum of 12 volunteers;

Friday, July 27, 7:05 pm, Fireworks! Portables, minimum of 12 volunteers;

Thursday, Aug. 2, 7:05 pm, Fireworks! Third Base stand, minimum of 20 volunteers;

Friday, Aug, 10, 7:05 pm, Third Base stand, minimum of 20 volunteers;

Friday, Aug. 24, 7:05 pm, Fireworks! First Base stand, minimum of 24 volunteers;

Sunday, Aug. 26, 5:05 pm, Portables, minimum of 12 volunteers;

Saturday, Sept. 15, 7:05 pm, Fireworks! Portables, minimum of 12 volunteers.

Although the start of the season is more than 100 days away, it's not too early to begin circling the calendar; please reserve a few dates and make plans to support this worthwhile fund raising effort.

VFW 'Operation' needs volunteers

Members of Post 2290 will be packaging and shipping supplies to soldiers stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of Operation Shoebox New Jersey.

By Mary Ellen Zangara

Special Writer

MANVILLE (Feb. 22) - The members of the Veterans of Foreign War Post 2290, on Washington Avenue, are looking for a few good volunteers for a special project Saturday.

The post will be packaging and shipping supplies to soldiers stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of Operation Shoebox New Jersey, the nonprofit program launched in 2005 to supply soldiers stationed overseas with personal care items and snacks to show support for the troops. OPSHBX has shipped more than 8,600 packages to U.S. military personnel serving in Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan and other posts in the Mideast.

Volunteers are needed to help pack boxes of items donated, and prepare the boxes for shipment overseas to the soldiers and Marines.

Those willing to help out should register by 9:30 a.m., as an opening ceremony with the VFW Post 2290 color guard is scheduled to begin promptly at 10 a.m.

The project is expected to take until about 3 p.m. The VFW post is providing the use of the building — and food for all of the volunteers.

Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, VFW members, senior citizens and other community groups have already volunteered to help pack the boxes.

Organizer Rod Hirsch is expecting as many as 500 or more volunteers. A similar event last year drew more than 1,000 volunteers.

"We rely on your compassion and patriotism to maintain our supply line and applaud your continuing support and generosity," said Mr. Hirsch. "We thank those individuals, families, civic groups, small businesses and corporations that continue to ensure the success of our packing events."

The following is a list of items that is frequently requested by soldiers and Marines — all items must be in their original packages and small (for ease of shipping):

Lip Balm, sun block, moist wipes, bug spray, bars of soap, small bottles of shampoo, nonaerosol deodorant, powdered drink mixes, cereal, snack and granola bars, instant oatmeal (individual packets), boxes of hot chocolate containing individual packets, small cans of tuna with pull-tab tops, small cans of fruit (also with pull-tab tops), microwave popcorn (individual bags), athletic socks, batteries of all sizes, gum, candy, small boxes of cereal, small bags of trail mix, peanuts and pretzels.

Items to be packed and shipped from this weekend will need funds for postage to be sent. Each care package costs $8.10 to ship flat rate U.S. priority mail. If you would like to make a monetary donation that is tax deductible, you can stop by and drop it off on Saturday or mail a contribution to Operation Shoebox New Jersey, P.O. Box 273 Somerville, NJ 08876.

For more information about Operation Shoebox New Jersey, visit the Web site, www.opshoeboxnj.org

This story appeared in The Manville News on Feb. 22, 2007.

OPSHBX NJ Feb. 24 Packing Event Commemorates 2nd Anniversary

MANVILLE - Operation Shoebox New Jersey will commemorate its second anniversary with a packing event Feb. 24 hosted by the Manville Veterans of Foreign Wars Thomas J. Kavanaugh Post 2290.

Volunteers are asked to arrive no later than 9:30 a.m. to register; packing will begin at 10:00 a.m., and will conclude by 2:00 p.m. Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops are encouraged to participate; all youth groups must be accompanied by adult leaders.

VFW Post 2290 is located at 600 Washington Ave., Manville.

Volunteers are needed to help pack and tape boxes for shipping, as well as affix address and U.S. Customs forms to each package. Participants are also invited to write letters to the Soldiers and Marines and place them in the boxes being shipped.

Packers will select items from 50 bins containing snacks, toiletries and personal items; special items to be included in this shipping are thousands of boxes of donated Girl Scout cookies from troops in the Rolling Hills Council and stuffed animals from the Bridgewater Methodist Church and Hunterdon County Bulldogs Marine Corps Detachment #927.

Thousands of cards and letters with greetings from school children throughout Central New Jersey will also be included.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

Volunteers who attend are asked to please bring items included on the shopping list, which can be found on this website by clicking on the “Items Needed” page.. Donated items will be sorted and included in this shipping.

Volunteers are also asked to help defray the cost of shipping each package sent overseas. Postage for each package shipped via the United States Postal Service is $8.10 (Flat Rate).

Operation Shoebox New Jersey is a registered non-profit New Jersey corporation; all donations are tax deductible.

We are also seeking the names and addresses of service men and women who are serving in the Mideast; we will gladly add their names to our shipping list.

Help Operation Shoebox New Jersey celebrate two years of service, and help honor the sacrifices of U.S. troops serving overseas.

Pre-registation for groups and individuals is requested; please fill out the pre-registration form found on the website's “Contact Us” page.

Warren County Girl Scouts Make A Difference

BELVIDERE - (Oct. 26) Girl Scouts from troops in three Warren County towns got together "To Make A Difference" and their combined efforts

generated about 50 large boxes of food and supplies for the local food bank and Operation Shoebox New Jersey.

More than 100 girls and their troop leaders from Belvidere, White Township and Harmony Township collected items at their schools, churches and other locations leading up to "Make A Difference Day," with each girl who participated receiving a commemorative red, white and blue Operation Shoebox New Jersey patch for their vests. The Girl Scouts also sponsored a town wide collection, with residents bringing donations to drop-off sites.

In addition to sorting and packing the food and toiletries, the Girl Scouts all wrote letters that will be included in the packages that will be to U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The girls took turns at several work stations set up at the Belvidere United Presbyterian Church to sort items for the food bank, OPSHBX and for writing letters.

Army Maj. Tom Hallowell, who with his Pennsylvania Army Reserve unit returned from Iraq in July, spoke to the girls about the importance of their efforts, and brought along photos, military awards and other items he gathered during his deployment, including Iraqi currency and newspapers.

Operation Shoebox volunteer Jane Mamer spoke to the group about the organization, which has collected over $100,000 in donations and shipped more than 7,500 boxes to U.S. troops overseas since February, 2005.

"Make A Difference Day" got started in August when Denise Cook, one of the Girl Scout leaders, stopped by the Operation Shoebox New Jersey exhibit at the Somerset County 4-H Fair. She talked about a coordinated effort to collect items for the troops with Michele Kieffer, service unit leader for the troops in all three towns that participated.

Jacki Bronico, a parent whose daughter is in Troop 4477 in Harmony coordinated the two-month project that involved 13 troops including Brownies, Juniors, Seniors and Cadets. "The response was bigger than I anticipated," Bronico said. "Personally, I'm all for it, I have a brother-in-law who's been in Afghanistan and Iraq, so I know how he it felt when he received a package. "Operation Shoebox is doing important work, and it was important that the girls understand that," she added. "I think they knew they made a difference, and that they understood what they did was a good thing."

Retirement Community Honors Veterans, Collects Donations for Operation Shoebox New Jersey

MANCHESTER - River Pointe by Del Webb, one of New Jersey's newest retirement communities, will host Veterans Appreciation Day on Nov. 12 at the reception center of the self-contained community in Ocean County.

"River Pointe is proud to honor the brave men and women who served our country with "A Patriotic Tribute to Our Veterans," said Rebekah Shwarootz, Lifestyle Director for Del Webb Communities, Metro NY NJ Division.

The event is scheduled from 1-4 p.m. The afternoon will be full of remembrances and tributes to local veterans. Keynote speaker will be Naval Petty Officer Jim Cava, (Ret.) who served as a corpsman with the 5th Marines in Vietnam.

River Pointe will be collecting donations for Operation Shoebox New Jersey, a non-profit organization that gives much needed personal care items to those serving our country overseas. Each guest that donates three or more items will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a special prize.

The development is adjacent to the Lakehurst Naval Station on Ridgeway Boulevard, which runs between Routes 70 and 571.

Further information is available by calling (732) 748-1186.

Princeton Corridor Rotary Club Collects and Delivers Donations for Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan

PRINCETON (Nov. 1) - Florence and Harvey Cohen of the Princeton Corridor Rotary Club delivered a van full of supplies donated by 37 of its members to Operation Shoebox New Jersey last month that were included in the Oct. 21 shipment of 637 packages were sent to U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The local chapter of the international service organization adopted the project at the urging of Mrs. Cohen, who had heard about Operation Shoebox New Jersey from another Rotary club.

"I think that no matter what your personal politics are, we all owe it to our troops to support them," she said. "The vast majority of people agree with that; we certainly need to support the people out there on the front lines, and for that, I would think everyone would want to help out," she said.

The project leader said the club collected the items over the course of six weeks, with several giving donations that she used to buy additional items at the supermarket. The items were mixed in with other donations received prior to the Oct. 21 packing event, hosted by OPSHBX and The Somerset Patriots Ballclub at Commerce Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater.

The Colossus of Clinton

Hunterdon County diner cooks up The World's Largest Hamburger

Tipping the scales at 105 pounds, the "Colossus of Clinton" was unveiled at the Clinton Station Diner Oct. 28 during a world championship eating contest that drew contestants from around the country. King Van Laar (a.k.a. George Van Laar of Roselle), has a closer look at the burger, which included 60 pounds of chopped meat; a 30-pound roll; 10 pounds of American cheese, and trimmed with lettuce, tomatoes and onions.

Mike Zambas, owner of the diner, has submitted documentation to the Guinness Book of World Records and is waiting to hear whether the "Colossus" qualifies as "The World's Biggest Hamburger." The Colossus is the heaviest burger on the diner's menu, dwarfing the 50-pound Mt. Olympus and 12.5-pound Zeus.

Operation Shoebox New Jersey volunteers were on hand to collect donations as part of the day's festivities, which commemorated the 1000-day anniversary of the diner's grand opening.

Van Laar, along with teammates Arnie "Chowhound" Chapman of Long Island and Ian "The Invader" Hickman of Virginia, were one of four teams from the Association of Independent Competitive Eaters that arrived at the diner to compete in a speed eating contest that featured platters of the "Nano-bite Burger," each of which weighs .4 ounces and is advertised as "The World's Smallest Hamburger." The "Champion Stomachs" consumed 130 "Nano-bites" in 15 minutes, 25 seconds to win first place in the competition and the top prize of $1,000.

Zambas says the "Colossus" will easily serve 100 people, and asks that you call ahead by at least two hours for his kitchen staff to prepare the monster burger.

Further information is available by calling the Clinton Station Diner at (908) 713-0012

Volunteers Pack 637 Boxes for U.S. Troops in Iraq, Afghanistan

BRIDGEWATER (Oct. 21) - More than 300 volunteers helped pack, tape and stamp 637 individual care packages for U.S. troops serving in the Mid East in less than four hours at Commerce Bank Ballpark. Sponsored by Operation Shoebox New Jersey and The Somerset Patriots baseball club, volunteers lined up at a long line of tables that snaked around the concourse of the ballpark, picking items from dozens of bins containing everything from eye drops, soap, toothpaste and sun block to snack bars, canned tuna, chewing gum and hard candy.

The line of tables was more than 200 feet long, with volunteers lining up down the right field side of the concourse before ending outside the gift shop alongside the main entrance of the ballpark. Many of the volunteers - more than half were Girl Scouts from the Rolling Hills Council - also sat down at a table and wrote letters to the troops, which were slipped into each box before being taped shut. Most of the volunteers arrived at the ballpark carrying bags of items that were added to the bins.

The bins, along with hundreds of boxes of supplies, tables, hand trucks, packing materials and other items had been packed in an 18-foot truck the night before at the OPSHBX storage facility by volunteers and transported to the ballpark, where more volunteers arrived at 6 a.m. to unload the truck and prepare the concourse for the packing event. The bulk of the volunteers showed up between 11 am and noon, when the packing started, with the final package taped shut and loaded on a postal cart for shipping at 3:20 p.m.

The Patriots had also hosted an OPSHBX packing event at the ballpark May 27. "We are very happy to continue to do our part to show our support for the brave men and women in our Armed Forces," said Patrick McVerry, President/ General Manager of the Somerset Patriots Baseball Club.

Special thanks to Marc Russinoff, public relations director of the Somerset Patriots; Renny Dilks, of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2290, Manville; Marcia Cocozza of the Rolling Hills Girl Scout Council for helping to spread the word about the packing event; Linda Van Zandt of the Somerset County Public Information Office for posting the event on the electronic message board at the corner of Main Street and Finderne Avenue; Branchburg Central Middle School students Tyler Morgan, Sean Gornick, Steve Garfi, Jake Grady and Brian McGowan for packing the truck Friday night, and Somerville High School students Eric Karpinski and Jimmy Kirchner for delivering and setting up the tables at the ballpark; Larry Peters for taking photos, and Debby Zakashefski, Brittany Bahooshian and Bonnie Maisto for manning the registration table.

Since its inception in February, 2005, OPSHBX has raised over $100,000 and shipped over 7,500 care packages to U.S. armed services personnel in Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan.

Operation Shoebox seeks support

OPSHBX is a grass-roots volunteer organization that sends care packages to U.S. military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan. Chapman, an Army veteran, is asking that spectators bring with them bags of groceries worth at least $15 that will be collected by the volunteers. Parents are also urged to have their children write cards and letters to the soldiers that are placed in each care package shipped overseas. OPSHBX hopes to gather at least 1,000 cards and letters. (www.opshoeboxnj.org)

Zambas has supported the efforts of OPSHBX since its inception, sending thousands of fresh-baked cookies from his bakery to the soldiers and Marines, as well as providing financial support.

“This is a chance for everyone to come in, have a lot of fun, have a lot of laughs and it's also a chance for us to recognize and appreciate the sacrifices our soldiers are making for us, to enable us to do this in a free world,” Zambas said.

Chapman, an Army veteran added “I never had to deal with what these guys are dealing with in Iraq and Afghanistan, but as an ex-infantry soldier I can certainly understand what they're going through. We want to do whatever we can here to help them out.”

Seated around the tables at the Clinton Station Diner will be several world champion eaters eager to dig in. Undaunted by towering stacks of pancakes or hefty racks of ribs, Chapman knows first-hand that his fellow competitors are always hungry for the latest challenge to be served up on the culinary circuit frequented by competitive eaters. (www.competitiveeaters.com)

These food warriors have rubbed elbows and gnashed teeth in epic gastronomical battles at restaurant tables across the country, consuming everything from hot dogs, chicken wings and Latke to zucchini, pickles and strawberries - in massive quantities and in record time.

Biggest Burger in the World

The Diner's renowned lineup of hamburgers - topped off by the venerable 50-pound Mt. Olympus - is about to be dwarfed by an even larger burger concocted by owner Mike Zambas and his chefs in an effort to regain bragging rights as home of the Biggest Burger in the World, a title now claimed by a restaurant in western Pennsylvania.

To date, the diner's crowning achievement has been the Mt. Olympus, a culinary masterpiece and engineering task of epic proportions. (www.clintonstationdiner.com)

Zambas promises the record-breaker will be just as tasty as all the other burgers on the diner's menu.

Its creators are still tinkering with the top-secret project, with Zambas refusing to divulge any succulent details about the mystery burger.

“We're in research and development,” Zambas said. “We've been practicing for two months trying to figure out a way to make the bun, to still make it look realistic, attractive and nutritious and construct it so that it holds together.

“It's a matter of taste, too,” he added. “Yes, we're doing it for the record, but keeping the taste is important. That is something everybody says about our burgers, they're big, but they're tasty, much better than anyone else's out there.”

The diner is sponsoring a contest to name the World's Largest Burger, with a $300 prize going to the winner. Entry blanks are available at the diner - which features seating in a 1927 railroad dining car - at the Exit 13 ramp, Route 78 westbound.

The World's Smallest Hamburger

The World's Smallest Hamburger, the .4-ounce “Nano-bite Burger,” was added to the diner's menu earlier this year, posing the latest challenge for the AICE competitors.

The winning team will take home $1,000 and earn the title of “World Nano-bite Burger Team Eating Champions.”

Also featured will be a Children's “Nano-bite Burger” Stacking Contest for kids 11 and under, with 1,000 pennies as the top prize for the highest stack that doesn't topple over; if one of the young contestants is able to build a stack of 1,000 “Nano-bite Burgers” that doesn't wobble and topple over - the winner gets $1,000.

A $20 gift certificate will be awarded to the youngster with the best Halloween costume.

Directions: Westbound on Route 78, take Exit 13 and make an immediate right to enter parking lot. Eastbound, take Exit 11 or 12 and follow the service road (Route 173) on the north side of the highway.

Help Us Help Them

SOMERVILLE (Oct.2) - Do you know a soldier, Marine, sailor or airman serving in the Mideast? If so, we'd like to know, so that we can add their name and overseas address to our data base and make certain that they receive packages shipped overseas by Operation Shoebox New Jersey. Please send us the address(es), the length of their deployment, and when they are expected home.

Forward the information to: marmva@aol.com.

Volunteers Needed for Soldier's Shopping Sprees at Supermarkets

SOMERVILLE (Sept. 25) Operation Shoebox will launch its fall schedule of Soldiers' Shopping Sprees this weekend, and we need volunteers to help out at supermarkets in Somerset and Hunterdon counties. The Shopping Sprees are held on Saturdays and Sundays, beginning at 10 a.m. and lasting through 4 p.m. Volunteers are needed outside the store, where they hand out shopping lists of items needed by soldiers to shoppers as they enter the store.

When the shoppers leave the store, they drop off the bags of donated items to the volunteers, who then load the bags into their vehicles.

Volunteers will also be asked to collect cash donations from shoppers as they enter and leave the store, reminding shoppers that each box sent overseas costs $8.10.

It's that simple. We'll make arrangements to have you deliver the donated groceries to our storage facility in Raritan, where the bags can be sorted into bins for packing into the individual boxes that are shipped overseas. We will supply you with the list of needed items, as well as large 55-gallon trash bags to transport the smaller grocery bags. We'd suggest you bring a folding card table and a few folding chairs.

The Supermarket Shopping Sprees have been our most successful events in terms of man hours and the amount of goods collected.

Each of the supermarkets listed have offered to help out and are expecting volunteers to arrive at the store each of the days listed on the following schedule.

This is a great family activity, or for a group of friends. In the past, Brownies, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts have worked outside the food stores, as well as veterans, first aid squads and students required to earn credits for community service projects.

Please e-mail marmva@aol.com to register your group for a Shopping Spree.

Our soldiers and Marines serving in Iraq and Afghanistan need your help.

SEE EVENTS FOR SCHEDULE

Veterans donate $2,550 to Operation Shoebox New Jersey

SOMERVILLE (Sept. 8) - Operation Shoebox New Jersey continues to receive significant financial support from veterans' organizations. Over the past two months, OPSHBX has received a total of $2,550 from four veterans' groups:

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3484, Saddle Brook, donated $1,500;

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5479, Dunellen, donated $500;

The Fugle-Hummer American Legion Post 65 in Metuchen, donated $500;

The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post 10122 donated $50.

We encourage other veterans' organizations to follow the example of their comrades. All monies received pay for packaging and shipping costs for the care packages sent overseas to U.S. troops in the Middle East.

Checks should be made payable to:

Operation Shoebox New Jersey

The mailing address is:

16 Wagner Road

Stockton, StateN.J. PostalCode08559

All checks are tax deductible. Operation Shoebox New Jersey works in conjunction with The Hunterdon County Bulldogs Detachment #927, a registered 501 (c)(4) corporation as defined by the Internal Revenue Service.

OPSHBX Volunteers Work Concession Stands at Commerce Bank Ballpark

BRIDGEWATER (Aug. 21) - More than 100 volunteers have helped Operation Shoebox New Jersey staff the concession stands at Commerce Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater during the 2006 season, helping to earn money used to pay for shipping care packages to U.S. troops overseas.

By the time the Somerset Patriots' season ends in late September, OPSHBX volunteers will have worked 11 dates behind the first and third base concession stands, as well as the portable stands that line the concourse above the stadium seats. Work shifts were between four and five hours long, with volunteers prepping, cooking, wrapping and packaging food, icing drinks and serving soft drinks, beer, pretzels, ice cream, hot dogs, 'burgers, pizza, chicken baskets, popcorn and candy, restocking supplies and working the cash registers. In addition to earning money working behind the counters, OPSHBX was also able to collect donations from fans that dropped loose change and dollar bills in collection jugs placed alongside the cash registers.

OPSHBX volunteers worked at the ballpark on the following dates: April 30; May 5; May 26; June 22; July 30; Aug. 6; Aug. 15; Aug. 16 and Aug. 17.

Volunteers will also be working Friday, Sept. 8 and Sunday, Sept. 17. Volunteers are still needed both dates. Please contact us if you are interested.

Special thanks for all their hard work goes to:

Greg and Sandy Price; Bill and Fran Lytle and their daughter Maggie; Doe Bassano and her daughter Veronica; Julia and Bob Simmons along with several members of their church; Mary Beth and Tom Ferris; Audrey Henry; Manville Mayor Angelo Corradino; Lou Ann Provenzano, wife of the Somerset County Sheriff, and her sister, Joan Sterlacci; Maryann Hirsch and Heather Smith; Donna and Bill McFarland; Veronica Finley; Larry Peters; Susan Resavy; Ted Stirling; Pat DeChirico; John and Linda Dorrell; Nancy and Joe Yuzuik, daughter Kirsten and several students from Bound Brook High School; Tom and Sue Cunningham, Bill and Mary Lou Cunningham and several family members and co-workers; Linda Glodek and sister Kristen; Stephanie and Gregory Verb; Melissa Michaels, Elizabeth Johnson and Mark Mastrianni.

Led by Mary Sommers, fellow Realtors from the ERA-Van Syckel Agency, Route 22, Bridgewater, worked two consecutive nights Aug 16 and 17: Jim Higginbottom, Susan Szeles, Artea Lombardi, Mercedes Mejia; Gail Welsh and Matt and Debra Zavatsky.

Others included Deb, Eric and Ken Karpinski; John Roros; Jane Mamer; Amy Brown; Ryan Gavin; Tony Liu; Jonathan Estis and a large contingent of employees, friends and family who work in the Bethlehem Township offices: Lola Burd, Kayla Burd; Anthony Kreis, Diane Pflugfelder and Donna Surdich, Adam Hochron, Larry Doyle and James Crane.

For various reasons, several names are not included in this list; your hard work was appreciated and did not go unnoticed. Please contact us and we will complete the list at a future date.

OPSHBX at Somerset H-4 Fair

From 16through 18 August volunteers operated a booth at the Somerset 4-H Fair where the fair goers could learn about OPSHBX and how they could help. Over the course of the Fair many people stopped by and many new contacts were made. Thanks to Dick Brandt, Pat DeChirico, John Dorell and Joe Yuzuik for their work at this event.

Joe Yuzuik, Dick Brandt and Pat De Chirico at the Fair Booth

N.J. Journalists Present Public Service Award to Operation Shoebox New Jersey

The Stuart and Beverley Awbrey Award, which honors outstanding public service and civic involvement by a community newspaper in New Jersey, has been presented to Rod Hirsch, former executive editor of The Reporter, for spearheading Operation Shoebox New Jersey, "an inspiring multi-town community effort to collect personal items and snacks, pack them in individual boxes and to send to United States soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan."

Hirsch, founder and executive director of Operation Shoebox New Jersey, received the award July 13 from the Society of Professional Journalists, New Jersey Chapter.

"The judges felt that Operation Shoebox was an impressive and worthwhile effort that not only helped numerous soldiers overseas, but also served to unify the community around a cause that they could believe in, no matter what their opinion was concerning the wisdom of the war," said Guy T. Baehr, SPJ awards chairman.

"Doing that was not easy," he added, "but the judges felt you managed to make this effort a positive one that unified people rather than divided them, and so served your community - and the soldiers - well."

Since its inception in February, 2005, Operation Shoebox New Jersey has shipped more than 7,000 personal care packages to U.S. military personnel overseas with the help of thousands of volunteers. The award is named for the husband-and-wife team whose decade-long ownership and operation of the Cranford Chronicle made the 100-year-old weekly a model for how a local newspaper can make a unique contribution to the civic life of the community it serves by combining solid reporting with honest and constructive involvement in community affairs.

The New Jersey Chapter of SPJ was founded in 1959 and its annual journalism awards program has grown steadily over the years to become one of the most competitive and prestigious in the state. This year it attracted more than 500 entries.

BRANCHBURG DONATES TO OPERATION SHOEBOX

On Thursday, August 3 Branchburg Community Night was celebrated at Commerce Bank Ballpark as Branchburg businesses, organizations, officials, employees and residents enjoyed an evening of baseball.

This was Branchburg's seventh annual Community Night, an event that has become a Township tradition. Fans in attendance had the opportunity to win one of 20 door prizes that were donated by Branchburg businesses. One dollar from each ticket sold was donated to Operation Shoebox. Members of the Township Committee presented a check in the amount of $612.00 to Rod Hirsch, founder of Operation Shoebox 2005. Mr. Hirsch was happy to be part of Community Night and said this donation will help pay for the postage to ship care packages to our troops deployed outside the country.

Pictured: Rod Hirsch, John Sanford, Bob Bouwman

VFW Awards Bronze Medal to Rod Hirsch

WILDWOOD, N.J. - The Veterans of Foreign Wars, New Jersey chapter, awarded its Bronze medal Award of Commendation to Rod Hirsch, the founder and director of Operation Shoebox New Jersey 2005 at its annual convention last weekend.

More than 2,100 veterans from across the state attended the convention, including Renny Dilks, commander of Manville VFW Post 2290, and JimWisor, president of the Manville veterans. Dilks and Wisor nominated Hirsch for the award, which recognizes "Exemplary service" to America's war veterans.

Hirsch was presented the award by State Commander William Greiman, who attended the Feb. 4 OPSHBX packing event in Manville hosted by VFW Post 2290 where more than 1,000 volunteers helped prepare and ship 1,465 care packages to U.S. troops deployed in Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan and other Mideast countries.

Since its inception.in February, 2005, the grass roots organization has shipped over 7,000 packages overseas, and raised more than $100,000.

Operation Shoebox New Jersey 2005 solicits and accepts donations, prepares and ships care packages to U.S. military personnel in remote locations and on the front lines.

Thousands of Central New Jersey residents have participated in OPSHBX events, and continue to volunteer and drop off items that are shipped overseas.

Patriots Help Package and Ship 1,200 Boxes to US Troops

Bridgewater, NJ- The Three-Time Atlantic League Champion Somerset Patriots are proud to announce that the Operation Shoebox Packing Event held at Commerce Bank Ballpark on Saturday, May 27th helped ship 1,192 packages to US troops serving in the Middle East

Hundreds of volunteers from community organizations throughout New Jersey helped make the first ballpark packing event a success

The United States Postal Service provided staffing to help the packaging and shipping process

The day began with a ceremony that included recognition of veterans in attendance, a vintage military plane flyover, and the unveiling of the Purple Heart Stamp by the US Postal Service

Once the ceremony concluded, the volunteers gathered along the main concourse to pack boxes with toiletries and snacks to send to US troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan

Patriots Manager Sparky Lyle, third baseman Jeff Nettles, and other Patriots players helped pack a few boxes and thank the participants

The event was unbelievable. To see how many people came out to show their support for our soldiers overseas was very touching. We are proud to be a big part of Operation Shoebox and their work and we look forward to future events at the ballpark,said Patrick McVerry, President/ General Manager of the Somerset Patriots Baseball Club

All participants received a complimentary ticket to either tonight or tomorrow’s Patriots game to help thank the volunteers and celebrate Memorial Day weekend

USPS VOLUNTEERS HELP OPERATION SHOEBOX NJ

Volunteers showed up early in Bridgewater, NJ, on Memorial Day weekend. By day’s end, more than 1,200 care packages had been packed and mailed to U.S. servicemen and women in Iraq and the Mideast.

Left: A volunteer helps prepare the mailing. Below: Shoebox recipients in Qatar got their shipments June 2 — less than a week after volunteers packed and mailed them.

Each Priority Mail Flat Rate box held letters and cards written by students, seniors’ groups and veterans organizations, as well as snacks, batteries and toiletry items. The mailing was funded and led on the last Saturday in May by Operation Shoebox (OPSHBX), an umbrella group that has raised more than $90,000 and shipped 7,000 care packages to U.S. Armed Forces stationed overseas.

Central New Jersey Marketing Manager Ralph Moccio arranged for USPS participation, while Somerville Postmaster Doug Silva and Princeton Postmaster Mary Ann Soto oversaw parcel acceptance, and Kilmer Processing and Distribution Center Sr. Plant Manager Victor Pacheco took care of logistics and dispatch.

USPS mail handlers and drivers transported the shipment to Kilmer for transfer to the New Jersey International and Bulk Mail Center. From there, it was dispatched by the Department of Defense — and already has made it overseas.

The boxes “hit the spot perfectly,” said 759th Forward Surgical Team Medic SSG Erik Zlatkin in an e-mail to OPSHBX from Afghanistan. “There is no feeling that remotely compares with the acknowledgement and appreciation of our countrymen,” he said in his letter. “To all those who have kept us in their prayers, thank you.”