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.

By: Mary Ellen Zangara
   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, the nonprofit program launched in 2003 to supply soldiers stationed overseas with personal care items and snacks to show support for the troops. Operation Shoebox 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, visit the Web site, www.operationshoebox.com