OPERATION SHOEBOX NJ

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=3 height=160 BGCOLOR="#0033FF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B> </B><B> <marquee>Operation Shoebox New Jersey launches Victory Campaign 2010 with Somerset Patriots . . .90 golfers tee off to support OPSHBX NJ at Neshanic Valley Golf Course July 13 . . . Volunteers brave 100-degree heat, pack 460 care packages at TD Bank Ballpark, Bridgewater July 24 . . . . Volunteers needed for Shopping Sprees in September and October . . . Visit OPSHBX NJ volunteers Oct. 2 & 3 during Military Families Support Weekend at Flemington Department Store, Route 31 . . . Upcoming packing dates: Sept. 11 Patriots Day, North Branch, Heart of New Jersey Girl Scout Council; Oct. 16, St. Mary's R.C. Church, Colt's Neck; Oct. 23, CitiBank/CitiCard campus, Warren . . . OPSHBX NJ hosts Sixth annual Christmas Packing Nov. 13, Kavanaugh VFW Post, Manville . . . </marquee>  </p>  </B><B> </B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Comic Sans MS" ><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Comic Sans MS" ><B> <a href="id19.htm" target="_top" csb-linktype="CSBPage"><img src="HTMLobj-2630/o.jpg" alt="Upcoming Events" border="0" align="bottom" csb-maintain-proportions="1" width="100" height="20" csb-button="Candy-Blue" csb-font="" csb-font-bold="False" csb-font-italic="False" csb-font-strikethrough="False" csb-font-underline="False" csb-font-size="8" csb-font-color-o="16777215" csb-font-color-h="0" csb-font-color-p="0" csb-font-horiz="Center" csb-font-verti="Center" csb-font-left="0" csb-font-top="0" csb-img-hover="1" csb-img-press="1" csb-img-preload="0" csb-img-backcolor="16777215" onmouseout="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2630/o.jpg'" onmouseover="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2630/h.jpg'" onmouseup="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2630/h.jpg'" onmousedown="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2630/p.jpg'"></a>  </B><A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us"><B> <a href="id21.htm" target="_top" csb-linktype="CSBPage"><img src="HTMLobj-2544/o.jpg" alt="Contact Us" border="0" align="bottom" csb-maintain-proportions="1" width="100" height="20" csb-button="Candy-Blue" csb-font="" csb-font-bold="False" csb-font-italic="False" csb-font-strikethrough="False" csb-font-underline="False" csb-font-size="8" csb-font-color-o="16777215" csb-font-color-h="65535" csb-font-color-p="33023" csb-font-horiz="Center" csb-font-verti="Center" csb-font-left="0" csb-font-top="0" csb-img-hover="1" csb-img-press="1" csb-img-preload="0" csb-img-backcolor="16777215" onmouseout="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2544/o.jpg'" onmouseover="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2544/h.jpg'" onmouseup="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2544/h.jpg'" onmousedown="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2544/p.jpg'"></a>   <a href="_latest_news.htm" target="_top" csb-linktype="CSBPage"><img src="HTMLobj-2545/o.jpg" alt=" Latest News" border="0" align="bottom" csb-maintain-proportions="1" width="100" height="20" csb-button="Candy-Blue" csb-font="" csb-font-bold="False" csb-font-italic="False" csb-font-strikethrough="False" csb-font-underline="False" csb-font-size="8" csb-font-color-o="16777215" csb-font-color-h="0" csb-font-color-p="0" csb-font-horiz="Center" csb-font-verti="Center" csb-font-left="0" csb-font-top="0" csb-img-hover="1" csb-img-press="1" csb-img-preload="0" csb-img-backcolor="16777215" onmouseout="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2545/o.jpg'" onmouseover="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2545/h.jpg'" onmouseup="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2545/h.jpg'" onmousedown="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2545/p.jpg'"></a>   <a href="http://opshoeboxnj.org/Photos/Letters/index.html" target="_top" csb-linktype="URL"><img src="HTMLobj-2546/o.jpg" alt="From The Front" border="0" align="bottom" csb-maintain-proportions="1" width="100" height="20" csb-button="Candy-Blue" csb-font="" csb-font-bold="False" csb-font-italic="False" csb-font-strikethrough="False" csb-font-underline="False" csb-font-size="8" csb-font-color-o="16777215" csb-font-color-h="0" csb-font-color-p="0" csb-font-horiz="Center" csb-font-verti="Center" csb-font-left="0" csb-font-top="0" csb-img-hover="1" csb-img-press="1" csb-img-preload="0" csb-img-backcolor="16777215" onmouseout="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2546/o.jpg'" onmouseover="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2546/h.jpg'" onmouseup="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2546/h.jpg'" onmousedown="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2546/p.jpg'"></a>   <a href="id23.htm" target="_top" csb-linktype="CSBPage"><img src="HTMLobj-2547/o.jpg" alt="Items needed" border="0" align="bottom" csb-maintain-proportions="1" width="100" height="20" csb-button="Candy-Blue" csb-font="" csb-font-bold="False" csb-font-italic="False" csb-font-strikethrough="False" csb-font-underline="False" csb-font-size="8" csb-font-color-o="16777215" csb-font-color-h="0" csb-font-color-p="0" csb-font-horiz="Center" csb-font-verti="Center" csb-font-left="0" csb-font-top="0" csb-img-hover="1" csb-img-press="1" csb-img-preload="0" csb-img-backcolor="16777215" onmouseout="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2547/o.jpg'" onmouseover="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2547/h.jpg'" onmouseup="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2547/h.jpg'" onmousedown="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2547/p.jpg'"></a>   <a href="id17.htm" target="_top" csb-linktype="CSBPage"><img src="HTMLobj-2548/o.jpg" alt="Calendar" border="0" align="bottom" csb-maintain-proportions="1" width="100" height="20" csb-button="Candy-Blue" csb-font="" csb-font-bold="False" csb-font-italic="False" csb-font-strikethrough="False" csb-font-underline="False" csb-font-size="8" csb-font-color-o="16777215" csb-font-color-h="65535" csb-font-color-p="33023" csb-font-horiz="Center" csb-font-verti="Center" csb-font-left="0" csb-font-top="0" csb-img-hover="1" csb-img-press="1" csb-img-preload="0" csb-img-backcolor="16777215" onmouseout="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2548/o.jpg'" onmouseover="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2548/h.jpg'" onmouseup="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2548/h.jpg'" onmousedown="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2548/p.jpg'"></a>   <a href="id30.htm" target="_top" csb-linktype="CSBPage"><img src="HTMLobj-2549/o.jpg" alt="Supporters" border="0" align="bottom" csb-maintain-proportions="1" width="100" height="20" csb-button="Candy-Blue" csb-font="" csb-font-bold="False" csb-font-italic="False" csb-font-strikethrough="False" csb-font-underline="False" csb-font-size="8" csb-font-color-o="16777215" csb-font-color-h="0" csb-font-color-p="0" csb-font-horiz="Center" csb-font-verti="Center" csb-font-left="0" csb-font-top="0" csb-img-hover="1" csb-img-press="1" csb-img-preload="0" csb-img-backcolor="16777215" onmouseout="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2549/o.jpg'" onmouseover="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2549/h.jpg'" onmouseup="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2549/h.jpg'" onmousedown="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2549/p.jpg'"></a>   <a href="id22.htm" target="_top" csb-linktype="CSBPage"><img src="HTMLobj-2550/o.jpg" alt="Photo Album" border="0" align="bottom" csb-maintain-proportions="1" width="100" height="20" csb-button="Candy-Blue" csb-font="" csb-font-bold="False" csb-font-italic="False" csb-font-strikethrough="False" csb-font-underline="False" csb-font-size="8" csb-font-color-o="16777215" csb-font-color-h="65535" csb-font-color-p="33023" csb-font-horiz="Center" csb-font-verti="Center" csb-font-left="0" csb-font-top="0" csb-img-hover="1" csb-img-press="1" csb-img-preload="0" csb-img-backcolor="16777215" onmouseout="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2550/o.jpg'" onmouseover="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2550/h.jpg'" onmouseup="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2550/h.jpg'" onmousedown="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2550/p.jpg'"></a>  </B></A></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#330000" FACE="Comic Sans MS" ><A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us"><B> <a href="awards.htm" target="_top" csb-linktype="CSBPage"><img src="HTMLobj-2551/o.jpg" alt="Awards" border="0" align="bottom" csb-maintain-proportions="1" width="100" height="20" csb-button="Candy-Blue" csb-font=" " csb-font-bold="False" csb-font-italic="False" csb-font-strikethrough="False" csb-font-underline="False" csb-font-size="8" csb-font-color-o="16777215" csb-font-color-h="0" csb-font-color-p="0" csb-font-horiz="Center" csb-font-verti="Center" csb-font-left="0" csb-font-top="0" csb-img-hover="1" csb-img-press="1" csb-img-preload="0" csb-img-backcolor="16777215" onmouseout="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2551/o.jpg'" onmouseover="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2551/h.jpg'" onmouseup="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2551/h.jpg'" onmousedown="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2551/p.jpg'"></a>  </B></A></FONT><FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Comic Sans MS" ><A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us"><B> <a href="golf.htm" target="_top" csb-linktype="CSBPage"><img src="HTMLobj-2552/o.jpg" alt="Golf" border="0" align="bottom" csb-maintain-proportions="1" width="100" height="20" csb-button="Candy-Blue" csb-font="" csb-font-bold="False" csb-font-italic="False" csb-font-strikethrough="False" csb-font-underline="False" csb-font-size="8" csb-font-color-o="16777215" csb-font-color-h="0" csb-font-color-p="0" csb-font-horiz="Center" csb-font-verti="Center" csb-font-left="0" csb-font-top="0" csb-img-hover="1" csb-img-press="1" csb-img-preload="0" csb-img-backcolor="16777215" onmouseout="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2552/o.jpg'" onmouseover="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2552/h.jpg'" onmouseup="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2552/h.jpg'" onmousedown="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2552/p.jpg'"></a>   <a href="bocce.htm" target="_top" csb-linktype="CSBPage"><img src="HTMLobj-2553/o.jpg" alt="Bocce" border="0" align="bottom" csb-maintain-proportions="1" width="100" height="20" csb-button="Candy-Blue" csb-font="" csb-font-bold="False" csb-font-italic="False" csb-font-strikethrough="False" csb-font-underline="False" csb-font-size="8" csb-font-color-o="16777215" csb-font-color-h="0" csb-font-color-p="0" csb-font-horiz="Center" csb-font-verti="Center" csb-font-left="0" csb-font-top="0" csb-img-hover="1" csb-img-press="1" csb-img-preload="0" csb-img-backcolor="16777215" onmouseout="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2553/o.jpg'" onmouseover="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2553/h.jpg'" onmouseup="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2553/h.jpg'" onmousedown="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2553/p.jpg'"></a>  </B></A></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>                                                                          </B></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=188 BGCOLOR="#BBBBBB" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>See Our YouTube Video</B></div> <bR> <div> <B> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYcM-88b-gM" target="_top" csb-linktype="URL"><img src="HTMLobj-2010/o.jpg" alt="You Tube" border="0" align="bottom" csb-maintain-proportions="1" width="100" height="20" csb-button="Candy-Blue" csb-font="" csb-font-bold="False" csb-font-italic="False" csb-font-strikethrough="False" csb-font-underline="False" csb-font-size="8" csb-font-color-o="16777215" csb-font-color-h="0" csb-font-color-p="0" csb-font-horiz="Center" csb-font-verti="Center" csb-font-left="0" csb-font-top="0" csb-img-hover="1" csb-img-press="1" csb-img-preload="0" csb-img-backcolor="16777215" onmouseout="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2010/o.jpg'" onmouseover="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2010/h.jpg'" onmouseup="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2010/h.jpg'" onmousedown="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-2010/p.jpg'"></a>  </B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="6ec96030.jpg" border=0 width="150" height="3" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://videos.lehighvalleylive.com/express-times/2010/05/operation_shoebox.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://videos.lehighvalleylive.com/expre"><B>Video</B></A></div> <div> <B>May 15 </B><B>Girl Scouts  packing  </B></div> <div> <B></B><B><IMG SRC="6ec96030.jpg" border=0 width="150" height="3" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.newjerseybocceinvitational.com/video_gallery.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.newjerseybocceinvitational.co"><B><IMG SRC="6e789670.jpg" border=0 width="137" height="103" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.newjerseybocceinvitational.com/video_gallery.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.newjerseybocceinvitational.co"><B>Bocce Video Library</B></A></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="6ec96030.jpg" border=0 width="150" height="3" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="6e895540.jpg" border=0 width="149" height="84" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>Buy your own OPSHBX NJ Shirts, hats & more online!</B></div> <div> <B> <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/opshoeboxnj" target="_top" csb-linktype="URL"><img src="HTMLobj-864/o.jpg" alt="Visit Our Store" border="0" align="bottom" csb-maintain-proportions="1" width="100" height="20" csb-button="Candyround-Red" csb-font="" csb-font-bold="False" csb-font-italic="False" csb-font-strikethrough="False" csb-font-underline="False" csb-font-size="8" csb-font-color-o="16777215" csb-font-color-h="0" csb-font-color-p="0" csb-font-horiz="Center" csb-font-verti="Center" csb-font-left="0" csb-font-top="0" csb-img-hover="1" csb-img-press="1" csb-img-preload="0" csb-img-backcolor="16777215" onmouseout="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-864/o.jpg'" onmouseover="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-864/h.jpg'" onmouseup="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-864/h.jpg'" onmousedown="javascript:this.src='HTMLobj-864/p.jpg'"></a>  </B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="6ec96030.jpg" border=0 width="150" height="3" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <A HREF="id30.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Our Supporters"><B>VISIT </B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id30.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Our Supporters"><B>OUR SUPPORTERS</B></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=320 width="100%" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>Auctioneers sell sports memorabilia to benefit Operation Shoebox New Jersey</B></div> <div>  </div> <div>      <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Comic Sans MS" >BRIDGEWATER – Alfred Finocchiaro of Alfred’s Auctions in Hightstown is the winner of the New Jersey State Society of Auctioneers 2010 Bid Calling Contest held in conjunction with an auction of sports memorabilia at TD Bank Ballpark on Sunday, Aug. 15 to benefit Operation Shoebox New Jersey.</FONT></div> <div> Runner up was Zachary Shelly of Auctioneer List Services in Eatontown.</div> <div> The sale – held during a rain delay on the concourse of the ballpark - raised $1,562.50 for Operation Shoebox New Jersey. The money raised will be used to ship personal care packages to U.S. troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan.</div> <div> Auction highlights included a Patriots team-signed bat, $140; a Jeff Nettles signed bat, $80; a Josh Pressley signed bat, $80; two Patriots team-signed baseballs for $120 each; a Sparky Lyle signed baseball for $65 and the “Somerset Patriots Experience” package, $450, which included a luxury suite and an opportunity to meet Lyle, the Patriots’ manager, on the field prior to a ballgame.</div> <div>      Finocchiaro is the owner of Alfred’s Auctions, based in Hightstown, and has been gaveling auctions since 1980. He was first exposed to the business by his father, who bought and sold wholesale produce.</div> <div> “My earliest memories are of him buying and selling, from Pittsburgh to Washington and Boston,” he explained. His father also owned a farm, and was a frequent visitor to local auctions where he’d buy tractors and other farm machinery.</div> <div> “<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Comic Sans MS" >There was an auction about two miles from our house, and that was his favorite thing, every Thursday night. I was 8 when I went to my first one, and by the time I was 13 I was working there,” he recalled. “I worked there for 16 years and I don’ think I missed any more than two Thursday nights.”</FONT></div> <div> This is the second year the NJSSA annual statewide bid-calling contest benefited Operation Shoebox New Jersey.</div> <div>      Central New Jersey auctioneer Joe Bodnar of Bodnar’s Auctions, winner of last year’s competition and president of the NJSSA presided over the competition.</div> <div>   Each auctioneer was judged on their personality, the clarity of their call, and how well they “worked” the crowd in an effort to get the highest price possible, according to Bodnar.</div> <div>  “We congratulate Alfred and all the auctioneers who competed,” said Rod Hirsch, founder and executive director of Operation Shoebox New Jersey. “We are very grateful for the support of the NJSSA and are proud of our partnership which has resulted in more than $3,600 in donations the past two years.”</div> <div> Since it was founded in February, 2005, Operation Shoebox New Jersey has shipped over 35,000 personal care packages to U.S. troops deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan and other Mideast locations.</div> <div> Operation Shoebox New Jersey is a registered 501c3 non-profit corporation. </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>      </div> <div> <IMG SRC="71850370.gif" border=0 width="80" height="55" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B> </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="comic sans ms" ><IMG SRC="a1691ed0.jpg" border=0 width="657" height="493" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></FONT></div> <div> Army Sgt. Sais Singh, a graduate of Somerville High School and former resident of Branchburg, sent this photograph of a group of Marines at Al Asad Airbase in Iraq displaying a signed Operation Shoebox New Jersey flag. The flag was presented to Sais recently when he visited New Jersey while on leave. The flag will be returned and displayed at OPSHBX NJ headquarters in Hillsborough. This marks the second time the flag has been unfurled in Iraq; last year, Air Force Capt. Will Simmons, formerly of Martinsville, had members of his unit sign the flag during his deployment in Baghdad. </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="71850370.gif" border=0 width="80" height="55" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Banner signed by U.S. Marines in Afghanistan</div> <div> on display at Freehold Raceway Mall</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="a23e6700.jpg" border=0 width="486" height="368" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="4" VSPACE="3">FREEHOLD – Stained by diesel fuel, dirt and grime a banner signed by dozens of Marines stationed throughout Afghanistan is the centerpiece of a display at Freehold Raceway Mall center court during the Christmas/Holiday shopping season.</div> <div> The 4-by-8 foot banner, which displays the logo of the popular Monmouth County mall, was sent overseas by Operation Shoebox New Jersey to Marine Capt. George Saenz after it had been signed by mall employees and local residents with messages of support earlier this year.</div> <div> Michael Schaffer, operations manager of the mall, is a volunteer with OPSHBX NJ, a non-profit volunteer organization that ships care packages overseas to U.S. troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan.</div> <div> Schaeffer hopes the banner and accompanying photos and letters of thanks from troops on display adjacent to the fountain will encourage holiday shoppers to toss their loose change into the fountain, money which will then be donated to Operation Shoebox New Jersey.</div> <div> More than $6,000 in change has been collected from the fountain the past year and donated to Operation Shoebox New Jersey, according to Schaeffer. </div> <div> The organization has shipped over 30,000 personal care packages to U.S. troops overseas since it was founded by executive director Rod Hirsch in February, 2005.</div> <div> Schaeffer and other volunteers will staff an information table and collect donations on Black Friday, beginning at 4 a.m., again on Saturday and throughout the month of December.</div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="71850370.gif" border=0 width="80" height="55" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="a1b2d730.jpg" border=0 width="557" height="371" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> Students from the New Road School in Parlin, New Jersey, shown here with Operation Shoebox New Jersey founder and executive director Rod Hirsch, at left, collected eight boxes of supplies that will be sent to U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The students also wrote letters to the soldiers and Marines that will be enclosed in the packages.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="71850370.gif" border=0 width="80" height="55" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>Operation Shoebox New Jersey Joins with Guardian Wear to Provide U.S. Troops </B></div> <div> <B>with High-Quality Polos and Shorts</B></div> <div>  <B><IMG SRC="74e42640.jpg" border=0 width="66" height="100" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="8" VSPACE="0"></B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#330000" FACE="Comic Sans MS" ><IMG SRC="74d4e660.jpg" border=0 width="78" height="102" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> </FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Comic Sans MS" >Guardian Wear and Operation Shoebox New Jersey are providing an opportunity to show your support and say “Thanks” to  U.S. troops deployed overseas with the purchase of high-quality, lightweight American Hero polo shirts </FONT><IMG SRC="7585b770.jpg" border=0 width="91" height="119" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Comic Sans MS" >and shorts. With a tax-deductible contribution of $20 or more, a card (see below) personalized with your name and city will be included in each care package shipped overseas along with the Guardian Wear American Hero garment</FONT>. Each care package also includes two large bags of personal care items with toiletries and snacks packed by volunteers. Please tell us if there is a specific member of the military to whom you want the package shipped; otherwise, the garment and care package will be sent to any of the soldiers or Marines on our shipping list. Fill in this <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Comic Sans MS" ><A HREF="guardian_wear.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Guardian Wear">form</A> </FONT>then print it and mail it with a check for $20 or more made out to:</div> <bR> <div> Operation Shoebox New Jersey</div> <div> P.O. Box 273</div> <div> Somerville, N.J. 08876</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="71850370.gif" border=0 width="80" height="55" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>HELP US TO HELP THEM</B></div> <div> O<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#330000" FACE="Comic Sans MS" >peration Shoebox New Jersey is in urgent need of funds to pay for the care packages we ship to our troops overseas. Each package costs $9.80 to ship Flat Rate U.S. Priority Mail. Thousands of Central New Jersey residents continue to be generous helping to maintain our supply line with donations of food and toiletry items; our storage facility is well stocked, but to ensure the continuous flow of care packages, we must continue to raise funds. Please be as generous as you can, and help put a smile on the face of a Soldier or Marine. </FONT></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Operation Shoebox NJ is a registered non-profit organization. All contributions are tax deductible.   Make a donation on-line by clicking on the button below <form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post"> <input type="hidden" name="cmd" value="_s-xclick"> <input type="image" src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/btn/x-click-butcc-donate.gif" border="0" name="submit" alt="Make payments with PayPal - it's fast, free and secure!"> <img alt="" border="0" src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" height="1"> <input type="hidden" name="encrypted" value="-----BEGIN PKCS7-----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-----END PKCS7----- "> </form>  or mail your contribution to:</div> <div> <B>Operation Shoebox New Jersey</B></div> <div> <B>P.O. Box 273</B></div> <div> <B>Somerville, N.J. 08876</B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="71850370.gif" border=0 width="80" height="55" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <IMG SRC="6a65c510.gif" border=0 width="92" height="81" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div>  <a href="HTMLobj-1689/osb_letter_to_troops.dot"><u>Download</u> </a>  stationery to write to a member of the Armed Forces</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="71850370.gif" border=0 width="80" height="55" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>Who We Are and What We Do . .</B></div> <bR> <div> Welcome to Our Web Site, Operation Shoebox New Jersey, founded in February, 2005, is an all-volunteer grass roots organization dedicated to collecting donated supplies and shipping care packages to U.S. troops based in Iraq, Afghanistan and other Middle East countries. We are committed to sending packages overseas as long as there is a need.</div> <div> Several times each year, volunteers gather to sort donated supplies and pack them in boxes that are shipped overseas. </div> <div> We rely on your compassion and patriotism to maintain our supply line, and applaud your continuing support and generosity; we thank those individuals, families, civic groups, small businesses and corporations that continue to ensure the success of our packing events. </div> <div> This web site helps you to support our mission by providing up to date information on items needed and <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Volunteer">events</A> where your help is needed as well as our <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Calendar">calendar</A> showing all Shoebox activities.     It also provides <A HREF="id30.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Our Supporters">links</A> to our supporter's sites, our <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Photo Album">Photo Album</A><B> </B>as well as<B> </B> information on how to <A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us">contact us</A><A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us"><B> </B></A><A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us">or register </A>for an event.<B>   </B>You can also <B><U>  <a href="HTMLobj-724/osb_letter_to_troops.dot"><u>download</u> </a>  </U></B> stationery to write to a member of the Armed Forces. </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B> </B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="71850370.gif" border=0 width="80" height="55" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>Important Statistics</B></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#330000" FACE="Comic Sans MS" >Operation Shoebox NJ has shipped more than </FONT><B>31,570 </B>total packages<B> </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#330000" FACE="Comic Sans MS" >to U.S. military personnel serving in Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan and other posts in the Middle East. </FONT></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="71850370.gif" border=0 width="80" height="55" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>Packing Events</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>June 22, 2010 </B>- Students, faculty and staff from the North Plainfield, N.J. school district assisted by OPSHBX NJ volunteers packed <B>500 care packages</B> at North Plainfield High School. The students also signed a banner that was sent to a teachers' husband now deployed in Afghanistan. Hundreds of cards and letters written by the students were placed in each box. The students also collected more than <B>$3,100</B> to help pay postage for the boxes.</div> <div>  </div> <div> <B>May 29, 2010 </B>- Volunteers from Princeton and surrounding communities helped OPSHBX NJ and the Spirit of Princeton Committee pack <B>116 care packages</B> following the Princeton Memorial Day Parade at the Princeton Senior Citzen Resource Center</div> <bR> <div> <B>May 15, 2010 </B>- Girl Scouts, parents and friends from the Heart of New Jersey Council, Star Valley servce unit helped OPSHBX NJ pack <B>501 care packages</B> at the Alpha Volunteer Fire Company in Warren County to commemorate Armed Forces Day. The girls also signed a white king size bedsheet, crafted American flag pins and wrote hundreds of cards and letters that were placed in each box. The community also collected more than <B>$1,500</B> to help pay postage for the boxes.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#800000" FACE="Comic Sans MS" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>April 24, 2010</B> - Parishioners at St. Rose of Lima R.C. Church in Short Hills helped OPSHBX NJ pack <B>219 care packages</B> at the second annual Stewardship Day, which involved several projects devoted to helping others. Parishioners also signed a bedsheet and wrote hundreds of cards and letters that were placed in each box.</div> <bR> <div> <B>March 26. 2010 - </B>Girl Scouts from Troop 60326 and Troop 60812 in Basking Ridge visited OPSHBX NJ headquarters in Hillsborough to pack 36 personal care packages; they were joined by Michael Puetz, a Montgomery soldier home on leave from Iraq who thanked the girls and their leaders for their efforts in support of U.S troops overseas.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Feb. 20. 2010</B> - More than 700 volunteers including Girls Scouts from the Heart of New Jersey Council, Boy Scouts from the Patriots Path Council, the Old Bridge High School Air Force ROTC corps and the Canal Walk Veterans Club of Franklin Township helped pack <B>1,075 personal care packages</B> at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2290 in Manville in commemoration of the 5th anniversary of Operation Shoebox New Jersey. Jackie Baldwin of the U.S. Army FreedomTeam Salute presented certificates of appreciation to the volunteers of OPSHBX NJ for their continuing efforts in support of U.S. troops overseas.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Dec.1, 2009</B> - Students from North Hunterdon High School participating in "Operation Lion Pride" packed <B>252 Christmas gift packages</B> in the school cafeteria alongside the volunteer staff of Operation Shoebox New Jersey, The two-month supply drive and packing event was coordinated by teacher Amy Dalgewicz whose boyfriend is serving in Afghanistan</div> <bR> <div> <B>Nov. 21, 2009</B> - Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2290, Manville hosted the 5th annual Operation Shoebox New Jersey Christmas packing and Santa's Workshop; more than 700 volunteers were on hand and helped pack <B>1172 holiday gift packages</B> for shipment overseas.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Oct. 24, 2009 - </B>More than 100 members of youth groups from 12 AME churches in Monmouth County gathered at the Bethel AME Church in Freehold and assisted by Operation Shoebox New Jersey volunteers wrote cards and letters and packed 151<B> personal care packages</B> for shipment overseas.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#330000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>Oct. 10, 2009 - </B>The five-time champion Somerset Patriots baseball club of the Atlantic League hosted a volunteer packing at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, with<B> 612 boxes </B>packed for shipment overseas. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Sept. 26, 2009 - </B>More than 100 Girl Scouts and their adult leaders from the Heart of New Jersey Council, assisted by Operation Shoebox New Jersey volunteers wrote cards and letters and packed <B>290 personal care packages </B>for shipment overseas at the North Branch Service Center.</div> <bR> <div> <B>June 24, 2009 -</B> Two dozen members of the Morris County 4-H Change Club and their adult leaders, with the assistance of Operation Shoebox New Jersey, raised money and purchased enough supplies to pack <B>78 personal care packages</B> for shipment overseas.</div> <bR> <div> <B>June 20, 2009 -</B><B> </B>Hundreds of volunteers braved heavy rain and gathered beneath a circus tent to pack <B>924 boxes</B> that will be shipped overseas to U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. Held in conjunction with the III annual Bocce Invitational at Colonial Park, Franklin, volunteers included members of the Essex County Sheriff Department Police Recruit class and the Boys and Girls Club of America, Union County chapter. </div> <bR> <div> <B>May 29, 2009 </B><B>- </B>Students and teachers at Bernards High School in Bernards collected and sorted supplies to pack <B>143 personal care packages</B> for shipment overseas. The students also collected <B>$800</B> for postage<B>..</B></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="9d4785a0.jpg" border=0 width="120" height="90" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="2" VSPACE="0"><B>May 16, 2009 </B>- Girl Scouts, parents and friends from the Heart of New Jersey Council,  Star Valley servce unit helped OPSHBX NJ pack <B>456 care packages</B> at the Alpha Volunteer Fire Company in Warren County to commemorate <B> </B>Armed Forces Day. The girls also signed a white king size bedsheet, crafted American flag pins and wrote hundreds of cards and letters that were placed in each box. The community also collected more than <B>$1,500</B> to help pay postage for the boxes. </div> <bR> <div> <B>May 9, 2009</B> - Students from the Scoth Plains/Fanwood school district in Union County along with their parents helped OPSHBX NJ pack <B>3</B><B>27 care packages</B> at the Park Avenue school. The students also signed white king size bedsheets and wrote hundreds of cards and letters that were placed in each box. The students also collected more than <B>$500</B> to help pay postage for the boxes.</div> <bR> <div> <B>April 25, 2009</B> - Parishioners at St. Rose of Lima R.C. Church in Short Hills helped OPSHBX NJ pack <B>185</B><B> </B><B>care packages</B> at the first annual Stewardship Day, which involved several projects devoted to helping others. Parishioners also signed a bedsheet and wrote hundreds of cards and letters that were placed in each box.</div> <bR> <div> <B>March 27, 2009 </B>– Operation Shoebox New Jersey volunteers helped Caitlin Reid, 17-year-old junior at Ridge High School working on her Girl Scout Gold Award community service project pack <B>148 boxes</B> at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Basking Ridge, N.J.  A member of Troop 753 for 12 years, she organized the collection of donated supplies at area supermarkets and supervised the entire packing event. Friends and classmates helped pack and wrote cards and letters that were enclosed in the boxes.</div> <div>  </div> <div> <B>March 26, 2009</B> - Students, teachers and PTO moms at the Mt. Horeb Elementary School in Warren helped OPSHBX NJ pack <B>200</B><B> </B><B>care packages</B> at their school. The students also signed white king size bedsheets and wrote hundreds of cards and letters that were placed in each box. The students also collected more than $2,300 to help pay postage for the boxes.</div> <bR> <div> <B>March 3, 2009</B> - More than 1,000 kindergarten, first- and second-graders at the Orchard Hill Elementary School in Montgomery helped OPSHBX NJ pack <B>378 care packages</B> at their school along with teachers, staff and members of the PTO. The students also signed white king size bedsheets and wrote hundreds of cards and letters that were placed in each box. The students also collected more than $1,000 to help pay postage for the boxes.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <B> </B></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="848" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 80 WIDTH="844"><div> <B>Feb. 21, 2009</B> - Hundreds ofvolunteers packed and shipped <B>968 personal care packages</B> at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2290 in Manville during the Operation Shoebox New Jersey 4th anniversary packing. Special thanks to Bridgewater musician Alan Grant who debuted his patriotic song, "United We Stand," with his band, "Primitive Soul." Copies of the CD including the song were included in some of the boxes sent overseas.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> <B>Nov. 15, 2008</B> - More than 1,000 volunteers packed and shipped <B>1,032 holiday gift boxes</B> at the Veterans of Foreign</div> <div> Wars Post 2290 in Manville at the 4th annual Christmas Holiday Gift Packing. Girl Scout troops from the Rolling</div> <div> Hills Council donated more than 3,000 boxes of cookies in support of the event. Special thanks to the Old Bridge</div> <div> High School Air Force ROTC color guard and to the students of Robert Treat Academy in Newark for their efforts. <B> </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Nov. 8, 2008</B> - OPSHBX NJ staff, joined by the Family Readiness Group from the Hackettstown Army National Guard Armory, Girls Scouts, Boy Scouts and other volunteers, packed <B>383 care packages</B> for shipment overseas at Gearhart Chevrolet, Route 46, Denville. Special thanks to Gearhart owner Judith Tilton and employees for their hospitality and donating $1,340 and Debra Bond, a member of the FRG and Gearhart employee for her hard work coordinating the event.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Oct. 28, 2008</B> - Hundreds of K-8 students at the Hillside Elementary School and the Tenakill Middle School in Closter, N.J. helped OPSHBX NJ pack <B>277 care packages</B> at each of their schools along with teachers, staff and members of the PTO. The students also signed white king size bedsheets imprinted with red and blue hands which were sent overseas along with hundreds of letters placed in each box. The students collected all of the supplies during a two-week period leading up the packing day. This was the first-ever packing for OPSHBX NJ in Bergen County.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <B>Oct. 5, 2008</B> - The Young Women's Group of the National Council of Jewish Women, Essex County section, joined with OPSHBX NJ to pack <B>157 care packages</B> at their first-ever Family Volunteer Day at the Schecter Day School in West Orange. Several area synagogues were involved in the collection effort, as well as students who wrote letters included in each box. </div> <div> <B>Sept. 27, 2008</B> - OPSHBX NJ staff, joined by hundreds of Girl Scouts and adult leaders from the Rolling Hills Council, packed <B>524 care packages</B> for shipment overseas at the Rolling Hills headquarters in North Branch. The girls also colored over 1,000 Hero cards and made hundreds of multi-colored beaded bracelets for the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan</div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="1016" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 42 ><NOBR><div> <B>Aug. 23, 2008</B> - OPSHBX NJ staff and volunteers packed <B>530</B> <B>boxes</B> at Commerce Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater for </div> <div> shipment overseas. The packing event was sponsored by the Somerset Patriots and Somerset County Freeholders.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="70bb1850.jpg" border=0 width="177" height="133" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="5" VSPACE="0">July 2, 2008 </B>- Girl Scouts Melissa Huereca and Melissa Warn, assisted by Operation Shoebox New Jersey volunteers held a packing at OPSHBX NJ headquarters in Hillsborough and shipped <B>50 boxes</B> to U.S. troops abroad. In the picture Girl Scouts Melissa Huereca, left and Melissa Warn display a banner signed by residents of Hillsborough that was sent in one of the packages sent to U.S. troops overseas. The girls undertook the project to satisfy the community service requirement necessary for the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award and collected supplies and donations the past several months. Special thanks for all their hard work go to Abigail Podejko, 7, Zoe Podejko, 10 and Jaclyn Mishak, 12.</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><B>June 28, 2008</B> - OPSHBX NJ staff and volunteers packed <B>577</B> <B>boxes</B> at Veterans Memorial Plaza in Somerville for shipment overseas. The packing event was sponsored by the Somerville Business Association. Special thanks to Stephanie Verb, SBA executive director; the Somerset County Freeholders; the Somerset County Sheriff Department Color Guard; the cadets of the Essex County Police Academy for their help packing; Leigh McLachlan of Annie's Balloon Affair for decorating the plaza; John Harrity of the Somerville School of Music for entertaining the volunteers and Jeff Neary of The Wine Room in Bound Brook for the use of his tent which helped to keep everyone shaded during a hot summer day.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <B>May 17, 2008</B> - OPSHBX NJ staff, joined by hundreds of volunteers attending the Second Annual Bocce Invitiational Tournament at Colonial Park, Franklin, packed <B>856 care packages</B> for shipment overseas</div> <div> <B>April 12, 2008</B> - OPSHBX NJ staff, joined by volunteers from St. Magdalen's R.C. Church in Flemington packed <B>250</B> <B>boxes</B> for shipment overseas. The supply drive and packing event was coordinated by Chris McPherson of the Knights of Columbus. Special thanks to Marty Resnick of Flemington Department Store for transporting supplies from OPSHBX NJ headquarters in Hillsborough to the parish hall and back again.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <B>Feb. 23, 2008</B> - OPSHBX NJ volunteers assisted students at Scotch Plains/Fanwood High School pack <B>520</B> <B>boxes</B> for shipment overseas. The supply drive and packing event was coordinated and supervised by Debora Brody, president of the Scotch Plains Fanwood PTA Council and included all eight schools in the district. Students donated supplies and also wrote cards and letters that were inserted into each package. </div> <div> <B>Feb. 18. 2008</B> - OPSHBX NJ volunteers assisted a group of students at Frelinghuysen Middle School in Morristown pack <B>225 boxes</B> for shipment overseas. The supply drive and packing event was coordinated and supervised by science teacher Carol Guarino; members of the Army National Guard unit in Morristown participated in the packing event, and transported the boxes to OPSHBX NJ headquarters for mailing. Students donated supplies and also wrote cards and letter that were inserted into each package.</div> <div> <B>Feb. 2</B><B> ,2008</B> - More than 800 volunteers packed and shipped <B>1,017 boxes</B> at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2290 in Manville to help commemorate the third anniversary of Operation Shoebox New Jersey. Volunteers were assisted by the Manville Post Office. </div> <div> <B>Jan. 18. 2008</B> - OPSHBX NJ volunteers assisted a group of 9th-12th-grade students at Bernards High School in Bernardsville pack <B>100 boxes</B> for shipment overseas as part of the school's observation of Martin Luther King Day. Students donated supplies and also wrote cards and letter that were inserted into each package</div> <div> <B>Nov. 17</B> <B>, 2007</B> - OPSHBX NJ volunteers and more than 100 Citi employees at the company's Warren campus participated in the company's Global Community Day by packing <B>500 boxes</B> for shipment overseas. The packing was one of 1,000 volunteer events chosen by 55,000 employees worldwide. Citi employees donated supplies and also wrote cards, letters and holiday greetings that were inserted into each gift package.</div> <div> <B>Nov. 15</B><B>, 2007</B> - OPSHBX NJ volunteers helped the 7th grade CCD (Catholic religious education) class from St. Joseph's Parish in East Millstone, N.J. pack <B>51 boxes</B> at Operation Shoeobox NJ headquarters in Hillsborugh as part of each student's community service requirement. Each holiday gift box contained a letter from the class, which read in part: "We want you to know that you are not forgotten and that what you are doing is appreciated. We will continue to pray for you and all our military personnel, asking the Lord for your well-being and to bring you home soon."</div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="4f34c640.jpg" border=0 width="76" height="100" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="5" VSPACE="0">Nov. 15</B><B>, 2007</B> ( In memoriam ) - Family and friends of Rudy Riemer, an Iwo Jima Seabee who passed away earlier this year, joined together at Operation Shoebox New Jersey headquarters in Hillsborough to honor his patriotism and celebrate his life, sending <B>20 care packages</B> overseas in his memory. The family enclosed a letter in each box which read: "Rudy always loved and supported our armed forces and would be delighted that we would honor his memory by sending this token of our support for all you do."<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#330000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <B>Nov. 10</B><B>, 2007</B> - More than 800 volunteers packed and shipped <B>921 holiday gift boxes</B> at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2290 in Manville. Girl Scout troops from the Rolling Hills Council donated more than 3,000 boxes of cookies in support of the event. Volunteers were assisted by the Manville Post Office. </div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="4ec36640.jpg" border=0 width="54" height="100" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="5" VSPACE="0">Nov. 4</B><B>, 2007</B> ( In memoriam ) - Family and friends of Joseph Guarino, who passed away earlier this year, joined together at Operation Shoebox New Jersey headquarters in Hillsborough to honor his patriotism and celebrate his life, sending <B>36 care packages</B> overseas in his memory. "Mr. G" served in the U.S. Navy from 1950-1955.</div> <div> <B>Oct. 13</B><B>, 2007</B> - Girl Scout Brittany Cozza organized and hosted a packing today at the Old Turnpike School in Tewksbury in conjunction with OPSHBX NJ volunteers and packed <B>104 boxes</B> that will be sent to U.S. troops abroad. Brittany undertook the project to satisfy the community service requirement necessary for the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award; she was assisted by other Girl Scouts and their parents.</div> <div> <B>Sept. 19</B><B>, 2007</B> - OPSHBX NJ volunteers help Merck employees pack and ship <B>173 boxes</B> aboard the USS New Jersey Battleship in Camden as part of a team building exercise conducted for employees of the pharmaceutial company. Volunteers were assisted by the Camden Post Office.</div> <div> <B>Aug. 18</B><B>, 2007</B> - Volunteers packed and shipped <B>756 boxes</B> at Commerce Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater. Hosted by the Somerset Patriots, volunteers were assisted by the Somerville Post Office. </div> <div> <B>June 3</B><B>, 2007</B> - Volunteers packed and shipped <B>632 boxes</B> during the Bocce Invitational Tournament at Colonial Park in Franklin with the assistance of the Somerset Post Office. </div> <div> <B>May 27</B><B>, 2007</B> - Members of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Somerset Hills in Somerville sorted and packed <B>45 boxes</B> to be shipped overseas.</div> <div> <B>May 20</B><B>, 2007</B> - 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 <B>$1,000</B> to spend on postage needed to ship <B>106 boxes</B>.</div> <div> <B>May 18</B><B>, 2007</B> - Students, parents and teachers at the McAfee School in Franklin (K-4th grade) packed <B>41 boxes</B> 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.</div> <div> <B>March 31,2007: </B>Students at North Hunterdon High School packed and shipped <B>200 boxes</B> assisted by Annandale Post Office.</div> <div> <B>Feb. 24, 2007</B>: Operation Shoebox New Jersey celebrates its second anniversary, hosted by VFW Post 2290, Manville and assisted by the Manville Post Office. More than 700 volunteers helped pack and ship<I><B> </B></I><B>1,143 boxes</B></div> <div> <B>Dec. 2, 2006:</B> Third Reformed Church, Raritan. Volunteers assisted by the Raritan Post Office packed and shipped <B>475 boxes</B>.</div> <div> <B>Oct. 21, 2006: </B>Commerce Bank Ballpark, Bridgewater, hosted by Somerset Patriots. Volunteers assisted by the Somerville Post Office packed<B> </B>and shipped<B> 673 boxes</B>.</div> <div> <B>May 27, 2006</B>: Commerce Bank Ballpark, hosted by Somerset Patriots. The United States Postal Service set up an "Operation Shoebox Station" auxiliary facility, and helped more than 750 volunteers pack and ship <B>1,192 boxes</B><I><B>.</B></I></div> <div> <B>Feb. 4, 2006</B>: Operation Shoebox New Jersey celebrates its first anniversary, hosted by VFW Post 2290, Manville. More than 1,000 volunteers helped pack and ship<I><B> </B></I><B>1,465 boxes</B><I><B>. </B></I></div> <div> <B>Nov. 5, 2005:</B> Hosted by American Legion Post #327 in Bradley Gardens, volunteers packed<B> 1,000 boxes</B>.<I> </I></div> <div> <B>Aug. 12, 2005:</B> Hosted by the Somerville Business and Professional Association and the downtown Somerville District Management Corp., volunteers packed<B> 536 boxes</B> at this event. </div> <div> <B>May 14, 2005:</B> Hosted by the Somerville Business and Professional Association and downtown Somerville District Management Corp., volunteers packed<B> 600 boxes</B>.</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="71850370.gif" border=0 width="80" height="55" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>Donations</B> </div> <div> Operation Shoebox New Jersey has raised over <B>$110,000</B> since its inception. </div> <div> - The largest single donation, <B>$5,000, </B>was received from the Somerset Patriots and its owner Steve Kalafer<B> </B>;</div> <div> - <B>The "Champagne Open"</B> golf tournament hosted by Tony D'Angelo at Beaver Brook Country Club, June 7, 2005 </div> <div> raised over <B>$11,000</B>;</div> <div> - F.O.E. Eagles Aries 2317, Somerville, $2,000</div> <div> - Veterans' organizations in Somerset, Hunterdon and Middlesex counties have <B>donated over $15,000</B>, including:</div> <div> - The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5479, Dunellen, <B>$5,600</B>;</div> <div> - The American Legion Post 12, Somerville, <B>$3,000</B>;</div> <div> - The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3484, Saddle Brook, <B>$1,500</B>;</div> <div> - American Legion Post #327 in Bradley Gardens, <B>$1,000</B>;</div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#330000" FACE="Arial" >    </FONT> -  Rolling Thunder National Chapter, Neshanic Station; thanks to Artie Muller, National Executive Director <B>$1,000</B></div> <div> - The Fugle-Hummer American Legion Post 65, Metuchen, <B>$500</B>;</div> <div> - The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post 10122, <B>$50</B>.</div> <div>       -  Hunterdon Coun y Bulldogs Marine Corps Detachment 927,<B>$200</B></div> <div>      -  Hunterdon Hills VFW Post 6059,<B>$400</B></div> <div>      -  American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Unit 304, Manville, <B>$75  </B></div> <div> -  Thrivent Financial Services for Lutherans , Hunterdon County Chapter <B>$ 3700</B></div> <div> <B>- Hundreds of checks</B> have been received from individuals, some for as little as <B>$5</B>, some ranging upwards of <B>$500</B>.</div> <div> - <B>Thousands of dollars</B> have been raised by Girl Scouts, Brownies and Boy Scouts, families, neighborhoods, senior </div> <div> citizen clubs, school groups, religious organizations, business, merchants'\ and civic  associations, including:</div> <div>    -  Manville PBA Local 236, <B>$500</B></div> <div>    -  McManus Middle School, Linden, students & faculty, <B>$800</B></div> <div> <B>  - </B>Unitarian Universalist Church of Somerset Hills, <B>$705.95</B></div> <div>     </div> <div>   <script type="text/javascript"> sc_project=3679045; sc_invisible=1; sc_partition=44; sc_security="84e184c4"; </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.statcounter.com/counter/counter_xhtml.js"></script><noscript><div class="statcounter"><a href="http://www.statcounter.com/free_hit_counter.html" target="_blank"><img class="statcounter" src="http://c45.statcounter.com/3679045/0/84e184c4/1/" alt="free hit counter script" ></a></div></noscript>   </div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" width=188 BGCOLOR="#A0A0A4" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B><IMG SRC="9ec86cf0.jpg" border=0 width="134" height="207" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="a7286020.jpg" border=0 width="134" height="2" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="awards.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Awards"><B><IMG SRC="a7186650.jpg" border=0 width="134" height="101" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></A></div> <div> <B>AWARD PAGE</B></div> <div> <B>CLICK ABOVE</B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="a7286020.jpg" border=0 width="134" height="2" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>Help out with our Shopping Sprees </B></div> <div> <B>...see Events</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="76486620.jpg" border=0 width="134" height="98" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> Girl Scout Troop 596</div> <div>  Shopping  Spree in Flemington<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" ><IMG SRC="a7286020.jpg" border=0 width="134" height="2" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></FONT></div> </td> </tr></table></body>