Operation Shoebox New Jersey has been awarded a $30,000 grant by the New Jersey Heroes Foundation in recognition of their work on behalf of US troops deployed overseas.

OPSHBX NJ is one of 12 non-profit New Jersey organizations to share $100,000 in grant money awarded by New Jersey Heroes, founded in December, 2010 by New Jersey First Lady Mary Pat Christie.
“New Jersey Heroes has been a great vehicle to recognize people in all walks of life who are doing really great things throughout our state, whether it’s for cancer, domestic violence, autism or any number of great causes,” Mrs. Christie said. “Through these New Jersey Heroes grants, we’re helping organizations to increase their visibility and continue to keep doing remarkable work by developing and enhancing needed programs in their communities.”

Based in Somerset County, OPSHBX NJ is a grass-roots volunteer organization that ships personal care packages to US troops deployed in Afghanistan, the Mideast and bases throughout the world. Since 2005, it has shipped more than 67,000 personal care packages overseas.

“New Jersey Heroes is awarding $30,000 to Operation Shoebox New Jersey so that the troops will continue to receive the necessities the need, especially as bases in places like Afghanistan begin to shut down,” explained Casey Mahoney, executive director of New Jersey Heroes.

The mission of New Jersey Heroes is “to recognize, celebrate, and promote the Heroes of New Jersey who inspire fellow New Jerseyans to give back to their community.”

The First Lady selected Rod Hirsch, founder and executive director of Operation Shoebox New Jersey as a New Jersey Hero in December, 2011. She and her staff visited Operation Shoebox New Jersey headquarters on Dec. 15, 2011 to help pack personal care packages that were shipped overseas.

In a congratulatory letter to Hirsch, Mahoney wrote:
“Our selection committee felt very strongly about providing you with these funds that are necessary to continue helping out troops by sending them care packages with all the essentials.

“You serve as an excellent example of what a New Jersey Hero is,” the letter continues. “The First Lady joins me in thanking you for your efforts. You are a real inspiration to us and people throughout New Jersey. Keep up the good work.”

“The grant from New Jersey Heroes and the First Lady speaks highly of the hard work, integrity and dedication of all Operation Shoebox New Jersey volunteers,” Hirsch said. “This recognition is a tribute to all volunteers’ unselfish efforts and determination to see to it that our supply line of personal care packages overseas continues uninterrupted.”