Monmouth County’s constitutional officers want to make certain that American military personnel who are serving overseas are not forgotten during the holidays.
Clerk Christine Hanlon, Sheriff Shaun Golden, Acting Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni and Surrogate Rosemarie Peters have kicked off a flash and food drive in support of troops stationed overseas, according to a press release.
Four collection sites are accepting donations now through Dec. 20. The collection sites are:
Monmouth County Clerk’s Office, 33 Mechanic St., Freehold, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office: 2500 Kozloski Road, Freehold, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office: 132 Jerseyville Ave, Freehold, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Monmouth County Connection: 3544 Route 66, Neptune, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
After the collection of items has concluded, representatives of American Recreational Military Service (ARMS) and Operation Gratitude will deliver them, according to the press release.
Items that would be appreciated include flash drives, non-perishable food (particularly microwaveable food), canned goods, pre-packaged dinners, ready-to-eat meals, popcorn, oatmeal, fruit snacks, cracker packs, cookie packs, trail mix, bottles of water, candy, pudding cups, granola bars, tuna pouches, chicken salad quick meals, tuna salad quick meals, raisins and beef jerky.
“Our military men and women who defend our country and sacrifice for our freedom every day deserve the utmost appreciation. As a way of saying thank you, we will be collecting flash drives, as well as nonperishable foods, to send to those brave men and women overseas,” Hanlon said.
Gramiccioni said, “Being a member of the U.S. Navy, I know firsthand what it is like to be deployed during the holidays. We need to honor those sacrifices the armed forces make and continue to support them through these types of efforts year round, to show them they are not forgotten.”