| Programs | |
Milestone One : During the AUSA operating year of July 2007 through June 2008 we have 'hands on' supported approximately 1,900 deployed soldiers in 13 different units, quite a Herculean task. Those numbers do not include the soldiers supported by 4 groups that requested our assistance in paying their shipping expenses to their deployed units. If I included those numbers it would be a fair to say our Chapter well exceeded supporting 2,000 deployed soldiers during the July to June timeframe. Milestone Two : Our Chapter has shipped over 3 tons of care packages just during this 12 month period. Here is just a sample of the commitment to our Chapter's adopted deployed soldiers: We received almost 1,600 boxes of donated Girl Scout cookies from 25 Brownie and Girl Scout troops from all over New Jersey . The Boy Scouts donated cases of popcorn. Some Girl Scout Troops made holiday cards. Elementary school students from River Plaza wrote letters. Students from Ramtown Elementary School made Valentine cards and wrote letters. A pre school class from Monmouth Regional signed a patriotic poster, created by a local artist, and also created drawings for one of our adopted units. The students of the Academy of Allied Health and Science and Communications High School conducted collection drives. This was the 2nd annual 'Operation: On Hand' collection drive for the Communications' students. The Women's Club of Oceanport donated two shipments of Beanie Babies, the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church donated the results of their collection drive, employees from four local McDonald's donated $850 in phone cards, Starbucks and Borders held 'Donate a bag of coffee to a Soldier' collection drives. Corporate support came in the form of a collection drive conducted by Raytheon. Holiday Inn and our Chapter sponsored a collection drive through the hotel along with 2 very successful Happy Hour collection events. DRS Technical Services donated over 800 travel mugs. Courtyard by Marriott donated personal care items to the Communications High School collection drive. Relm Print assembled and shipped a care package. In addition to the above, with Chapter funds, I personally shopped for a very large assortment of freezer pops, juice boxes, Pringles, personal care items, DVDs, books, plus all the holiday fixings for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter and the 4 th of July. Our Chapter will continue to make deployments a little more comfortable. To help out, contact Kathy Reidy: kathleen.reidy@us.army.mil Click Here For Items For Deployed Soldiers Army Soldier Show Once again, our Chapter, in collaboration with other Ft. Monmouth professional organizations, co hosted a black tie gala dinner dance and fundraiser at Gibbs Halls on June 9, 2007, to benefit the Fisher House Foundation*. This is our third annual event, Support our Heroes Disabled Soldiers and their Families. The hosting organizations made significant contributions to offset the cost of the evening enabling the proceeds from the ticket sales, a silent action and the sale of stuffed bears called "MEDI-TEDDY" (the official mascot of the Army Fisher House Program) to be donated to the Foundation . Our Chapter's corporate members also assisted with championing the affair by purchasing tables, program booklet ads, boosters and sponsoring soldiers' attendance. This year's proceeds exceeded $100,000.00! In addition to this annual gala, our Chapter has supported the Fisher House during the year with the proceeds from the sales of original artwork by Mrs. Anna Justice and Mr. Steve Alpert, golf tournaments, a check from the Chapter and twelve beautifully hand crocheted lap quilts created and donated by Mrs. Cheryl Gregory. Chapter Contact: Ed Carnes ed.carnes@gdc4s.com, 732-380-9500. *The Fisher House Foundation is a nonprofit organization providing a network of comfort homes on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. These residences house the families of wounded service men and women so they can be close to their loved one while the service member is recovering from their injuries. Fort Monmouth Garrison Officers Candidate School, New Jersey National Guard Patterson Army Medical Clinic Quilts Of Honor Recruiters of the Year Rutgers University ROTC Shea Athletic Award Taste Of Heaven In addition to supporting the Taste of Heaven Program, our Chapter provides support to the Preparatory School by participating in Reception day, the Cadet Candidates' (CCs), staff and faculty holiday parties, and the CCs' graduation ceremony. |