BY JENNIFER DOME
Staff Writer
BRICK — A few weeks ago, members of a local fitness center decided to commemorate Memorial Day by helping American troops stationed overseas.
On the Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, Workout World’s Brick location collected personal hygiene items from their members. In total, more than five boxes of toiletry items such as toothpaste and soap were donated by the gym’s members.
“I thought it was a good idea to get members and staff together to show that Workout World cares,” said Kim Ormsby, a fitness instructor at the Brick location.
Members were notified of the collection by posters hung at the fitness center and by word of mouth, Ormsby said. Although the donations were supposed to come in just that Saturday and Sunday, members have continued donating ever since.
“I was very pleased. I was overwhelmed,” Ormsby said. “It wasn’t a project for them, it was a donation from their hearts.”
Ormsby enlisted the help of Brick Township Public Information Officer Bryan Dickerson to help her find a place to send the donations. She said she wanted to find a local unit or someone from Brick to send the supplies to.
“Depending on where you’re located in Iraq, some of the bases are more developed than others,” said Dickerson, who is a third class petty officer with the U.S. Navy Reserve. He explained that while some troops in Iraq and other countries, such as Kuwait, may have a post exchange where they can get personal hygiene items, some aren’t located near any stores.
“There still is a need over there,” Dickerson said.
One shipment went to the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, 2nd Combat Logistics Battalion, in Iraq. Another package of goods went to Army Reservist Dan Cunningham, a Brick Memorial High School 2001 graduate who is stationed in Kuwait. With that package, Dickerson said, he also sent letters from students at Emma Havens Young Elementary School.
Still another package was sent to a combat engineers’ unit of the Army National Guard that is based out of Washington state.
“They’re one of those units that’s working way out in the boondocks,” Dickerson said.
He added that another collection for the troops will take place during SummerFest this year. The event’s first night, July 5, will be “Military Night.” Information about what types of items are needed will be announced at a later date.
If anyone wants to take up a collection on their own, Dickerson said he’d be happy to help.
“I’ll find homes for whatever they collect,” Dickerson said.
Donations of phone cards, coffee and monetary donations are needed at the Toms River Armory. Checks can be made out to the “Family Readiness Group” and sent to: Family Readiness Group, Attention: Sgt. 1st Class Luis Arroyo, 1200 Whitesville Road, Toms River 08753.
The Toms River Armory will hold an open house this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be a retelling of the history of the New Jersey Army National Guard, and soldiers who recently returned from Iraq will be honored. A memorial for fallen soldiers, including local resident Christopher M. Duffy, also will be held.
In addition, there will be free entertainment for children, including pony rides and a free a paintball competition. Representatives from DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), a local K-9 unit and McGruff the Crime Dog will also be on hand.
For more information, call the Toms River Armory at (732) 349-4386.