Residents at Applewood Estates, a CentraState Healthcare System retirement community in Freehold Township, have donated food and supplies to soldiers in the Army’s 68th Transportation Company who are stationed in Iraq. Each holiday season, the community unites to perform a significant community service project.
“Helping others fosters a strong sense of community and personal self-worth,” said Diane Distefano, the activities director at Applewood Estates. “Working together as a community, we are able to offer support to our soldiers who are far from home during the holidays.”
Distefano’s nephew is currently serving as a lieutenant with the 68th Transportation Company. Applewood residents understand the needs of the troops abroad as many have served in various branches of the military.
Donations were selected from published “wish lists” submitted by soldiers stationed in Iraq. Residents and Applewood staff collected and packed board games, playing cards, disposable cameras, socks, books, videos, toiletries, telephone calling cards and several pounds of dried fruit, nuts and candy.
The 68th Transportation Company is responsible for the delivery of all classes of supplies from ports of embarkation to key command locations positioned throughout Iraq, according to the Operation Iraqi Freedom Web site.