HILLSBOROUGH: Operation Shoebox gearing up for another shipment

   Volunteers are invited to join Operation Shoebox New Jersey staff to commemorate its fourth anniversary Feb. 21 and help pack gift boxes for shipment to U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
   The packing event will be at the Walter Kavanaugh VFW Post 2290, 600 Washington Ave., Manville, with registration at 10:30 a.m., followed by opening ceremonies. Packing begins at 11 a.m. A light lunch will be provided.
   OPSHBX NJ expects to hit a major milestone during the event, surpassing 25,000 boxes packaged and shipped since its founding in February 2005.
   Volunteer packers are encouraged to donate personal care items for shipment, including snacks and toiletries. Check the shopping list on our website and bring along a bag of needed items. The packages sent overseas will include cans of tuna, cans of fruit, trail mix, beef jerky, gum, candy, granola bars, powdered drink mixes, coffee, tea, oatmeal, hot chocolate, toothpaste, tooth brushes, ear swabs, moist wipes, sun block, eye drops, soap, shampoo, socks, stationary, envelopes, pens, batteries and other items.Each package will also include a box of Girl Scout cookies donated by hundreds of Girl Scouts from the Heart of New Jersey Council that were sold during their recently-concluded sales campaign.
   Volunteers will also have the opportunity to sit down and write a short letter or card to the troops; all cards and letters will be inserted into the boxes. We’ll also add stuffed animals and other gift items for the troops to hand out to young Iraqi and Afghan children.
   There are two shifts available for volunteers to sign up on the Web site: 11 a.m.-12:45 p.m. and 1-3 p.m.
   Financial support is also needed to help pay the costs of shipping the packages. All donations are tax deductible. Volunteers are asked to sign up in advance on the OPSHBX NJ Web site.
   Call Operation Shoebox New Jersey headquarters at 908-698-0333 for further information or check the website at www.opshoeboxnj.org.