Today, Feb. 4, is the 19th anniversary of Operation Shoebox New Jersey.

What a journey it has been – 185,000 care packages shipped to members of the US military around the world and across the country by over 100,000 volunteers, including many of you who devoted hundreds of hours of your time, and many more than that, to ensure the success of fund raising events, weekend shoppping sprees, packings, loading and unloading trucks, baging candy, taping boxes, manning the OPSHBX NJ table at the ballpark, fairs and other venues.

The last few years have been tough on an organization whose business model is dependent on volunteer, hands-on participation, but we have survived, planning to gear up even more in 2023.

Attached to this email is a photo taken onboard the USS Nimitz, which is on station in the southern Pacific Ocean. Jared Burchette, graduate of Hillsborough HS and son of Greg Burchette, a former member of the Hillsborough Rotary, received 100 car packages to share with his shipmates last month. Jared is an air traffic controller who works excluively with the F-35. Jared used to help at the annual Hillsborough Rotary packing events at a young age with his dad.

I have always answered people that Operation Shoebox New Jersey would remain in business as long as there was a need – without droning on about the state of affairs in this country and around the world, rest assured we’re not going away any time soon.

Take a moment or two and reflect on your time spent supporting Operation Shoebox New Jersey; each of you has contributed in some way to our success, and I thank you for your contribution.

Please continue to support OPSHBX NJ with your donations and financial support.

Wishing you the best of everything.

Regards,

Rod Hirsch

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Hoorah!

HOO-rah!!
Four Marines at a base in Afghanistan are excited to receive personal care packages from Operation Shoebox New Jersey

 

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Thank you from Southwest Asia

Along with the rest of the crew of USCGC MAUI, we would like to extend our warmest thank you to everyone who was involved in sending us so many care packages! On a year-long deployment, your packages, thoughts, and support are most heartily welcomed. The candy and cookies are always a morale booster, and in an area with high winds, sand, and of course, the salty seas, the body wash and moisturizer all went very quickly.

We hope everyone is safe and healthy back at home, making preparations for Halloween! It is an honor and privilege to serve.
Fair Winds and Following Seas,
LTJG Jamie Kim
Executive Officer
USCGC Maui (WPB-1304)
Patrol Forces Southwest Asia

 

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Thank you from Bahrain

I wanted to say thank you so much to Troop 489- Brothers Ben and Sam Elliott as well as their parents Rob and Shelly Elliott, My fellow Girl Scouts in Service Unit 72, Fire Company #2 in Hillsborough NJ, and your community that donated items for the care package myself and fellow brothers and sisters in arms received!! We are very thankful; you made smiles come across all our faces as we head into these holidays abroad.
A special thank you to Ben, Orchard Hill Elementary School, Mrs. Kotch’s 1st Grade class. Ben please be on the look out for my card to you and your classmates :); Ava and the Basilone family, thank you for your heartfelt wishes; Makensie we love you too; Alexa Ramirez thank you for your kindness; Selina C. thank you for the drawing it is on my desk :); and I received another drawing with no name but to that special little someone thank you. I will send a photo of my staff and collection of cards afterwards.
Your gift was a true touch and we can’t thank you enough. Happy holidays and remain safe. Until we write again
Rachel Singh, PS2 USN Bahrai