Mission accomplished (really)

Operation Shoebox for overseas soldiers easily tops goal with help of volunteers.

By: Mary Ellen Zangara
   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."
   There was a special soldier attending the event. Sgt. Steve Ritter was actually a recipient of the shoe boxes that were sent previously.
   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.