Operation Shoebox New Jersey is a broad-based network of organizations and volunteers in Central New Jersey that supports United States armed forces personnel deployed overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Operation Shoebox New Jersey was founded in February, 2005 and since then has shipped close to 17,000 care packages overseas with volunteers maintaining a steady supply line of personal items, cards and letters that are shipped to soldiers, Marines, sailors and airmen overseas.

Operation Shoebox New Jersey is composed of volunteers from the Somerset Patriots Baseball Club, Flemington Car and Truck Country, several other corporate partners, families of active-duty military personnel, schools, veterans’ groups, and individuals throughout the community responsible for coordinating and staffing various tasks. Volunteers are involved in various initiatives such as soliciting donations, sorting donated goods, coordinating incoming letters from schools, packaging, transportation, and shipping.

Operation Shoebox New Jersey is asking people to bring the following items to one of the drop-off sites in the Central New Jersey Area: sun screen, paper back books, foot powder, telephone calling cards, eye drops, beef jerky, toothpaste, mouth wash, bug spray, lip balm, feminine products, ear swabs, laundry detergent, bug wipes/ bug strips, wipes (travel size), razors, toilet paper, spices, tea bags, coffee, small drink mixes, socks, clothesline/ pins, snack foods, cereal/ protein bars, fleece blankets, microwaveable foods (can or box), hard candy/ gum, writing materials, and batteries (any size).

Several drop-off sites have been set up for these care package items including Operation Shoebox New Jersey headquarters (Veterans’ Park,152 Route 206 South, Hillsborough), Commerce Bank Ballpark (1 Patriots Park, Bridgewater), Mannion’s Pub & Restaurant (150 West Main Street, Somerville), the Rolling Hills Girl Scout Council (Route 28, North Branch) and Flemington Department Store, (Route 31, Flemington).

Operation Shoebox New Jersey also partners with schools to schools to write letters and cards that are sent in each package. Schools also sponsor supply drives and fundraisers in conjunction with Operation Shoebox New Jersey. Arrangements will be made to pick-up all donations at the schools.

“We are honored to participate in this amazing program to show our support for our brave men and women fighting for our freedom in the Middle East. We encourage other corporations, organizations, and volunteers to join Operation Shoebox: New Jersey in our effort to truly make a difference for our soldiers overseas,” said Patrick McVerry, President/ General Manager of the Somerset Patriots Baseball Club.

To find out more about the program, or to participate in Operation Shoebox New Jersey, visit the website at www.opshoeboxnj.org or please contact: Rod Hirsch (908) 698-0333 (908) 812-1872 opshbxnj@yahoo.com