On behalf of the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders and Monmouth County, Freeholder Lillian G. Burry is leading a donation drive in support of the Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II Memorial Fund.
The fund is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to improving the morale and welfare of members of the United States armed forces and their families, according to a press release from the county.
Donations are being accepted though Oct. 16 and care packages are expected to be shipped out in November in advance of the holiday season, according to the press release.
“Each year, I strongly encourage county residents to donate supplies as a sign of gratitude to the courageous men and women who sacrifice so much to protect our freedom,” Burry said.
“It is imperative to advocate for organizations like the Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II Memorial Fund that support our troops, especially during the holiday season when these heroic men and women are away from their families,” she added.
Donations may be delivered to collection boxes at several Monmouth County buildings, including the Hall of Records, 1 E. Main St., Freehold Borough; Agriculture Building, 4000 Kozloski Road, Freehold Township; Health Department, 50 E. Main St., Freehold Borough;
Social Services Building, 3000 Kozloski Road, Freehold Township; Library Headquarters, 125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan; Eastern Branch Library, 1001 Route 35, Shrewsbury.
Also, Colts Neck Library, 1 Winthrop Drive, Colts Neck; Marine Academy of Science and Technology, 305 MAST Way, Highlands; Colts Neck High School, 59 Five Points Road, Colts Neck; Colts Neck General Store, 171 Route 537, Colts Neck; Fort Monmouth Recreation Center, 2566 Guam Lane, Tinton Falls; and the Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, 331 Georgia Tavern Road, Howell.
The Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II Memorial Fund was founded in 2006 to honor the life and memory of Zilinski, a Middletown native who was one of four American soldiers killed by a roadside bomb during combat operations in Bayji, Iraq, on Nov. 12, 2005.
The drive is collecting food, drinks, snack, personal care items and more. Supplies will be assembled into bags, with handwritten notes of gratitude, and distributed to military members on foreign soil in time for the holiday season, according to the press release.
Donation items being collected include tuna meals in foil pouches, granola and protein bars, Slim Jims, beef jerky, cereal in individual packs or boxes, condiments and hot sauces of all kinds, cookies, pretzels.
Also, baby wipes, Q-tips, AXE deodorant, shampoo and body wash, hand sanitizer, Gold Bond foot powder, lip balm, ibuprofen, anti-diarrheal pills, dental floss, premium razors and cartridges (name brand preferred such as Gillette), Vaseline Intensive Care lotion for dry skin, white socks, sports bras (assorted sizes), white undershirts (assorted sizes) and underwear (assorted sizes).
And, Sudoku and crossword puzzle books, sticky mouse traps, twin sheets, pillows, blankets, duct tape and electrical tape.
Donation checks for the nonprofit organization can me made out to Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II, Memorial Fund and mailed to Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, P.O. Box 128, Colts Neck, NJ 07722.