By:Melissa Edmond
Some Manville residents stopping by The Closet on South Main Street are walking out with less than they carried in to the clothing store.
They’re helping members of the U.S. Armed Forces deployed overseas through Operation Shoebox, a national nonprofit organization founded in 2003.
Operation Shoebox supports American troops in need of basic necessities and inspiration. Mary Harper founded the all-volunteer program when her five children were deployed to Iraq.
Victor Buckovecky, owner of Bucky’s/The Closet at 45 S. Main St., says that the store has been helping with Operation Shoebox for a month now and is accepting donations during store hours.
Organizers say donations will be accepted as long as troops are stationed in Iraq.
The 26 most important items listed on the Web site that soldiers need include: suntan lotion, Chap Stick, feminine products, Q-tips, small packets of laundry detergent, bug wipes and bug strips, wipes, razors, toilet paper, eye drops, bug spray, spices, tea bags, coffee, small drink mixes, socks, clothesline and pins, snack food/gum, cereal or protein bars, fleece blankets, microwaveable food, hard candy, writing materials/pens/pencils, batteries, toothbrushes/toothpaste, and telephone calling cards (AT&T).
More information and a much longer list of items can be found at www.operationshoebox.com. Residents also can download fliers to hand out to friends and family in order to make people more aware about how and why they can help the soldiers.
Residents also can drop off supplies at the Learning Express in Hillsborough.
The Learning Express is located at 315 Route 206, Suite 903, in the Hillsborough Promenade and is accepting donations during its store hours: Monday-Thursday, 9-8; Friday and Saturday, 9-9; and Sunday, 10-6.
Rick Grossman, the store manager, said that they have been doing this for two months.
"It was just the right thing to do," Mr. Grossman said. "It’s part of the mission of the store to always support the community."

