Operation Shoebox New Jersey has been awarded two $10,000 grants by the New Jersey Heroes Foundation and Investors Savings in recognition of their work on behalf of US troops deployed overseas.

OPSHBX NJ is one of 17 non-profit New Jersey organizations to share $100,000 in grant money awarded this year by New Jersey Heroes, founded in December, 2010 by New Jersey First Lady Mary Pat Christie.

According to reports from a stock research website, this marks the second year in a row that Investors Savings, based in Short Hills awarded $10,000 to OPSHBX NJ.  In 2013, OPSHBX NJ was the recipient of a $30,000 grant from the New Jersey Heroes Foundation.

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 76,000 personal care packages overseas.

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,” according to Casey Mahoney, executive director.

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.

“The grants from New Jersey Heroes and Investors Savings speak 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.”