Adopt A Unit/Deployed Soldier Support Program
Our Chapter, with support from our Corporate members, High School students, the Brownies, the Girl Scouts, the Boy Scouts and many individuals from the Fort Monmouth Community took on the Herculean task of adopting ten (10) deployed units, which represents approximately 1,400 service men and women, during the July 2006 to June 2007 timeframe. Fort Monmouth continues to be in the forefront when it comes to supporting our Warfighters.
 
The 67th Signal Battalion, out of Fort Gordon, GA, was more than happy to hear about our willingness to support them during their deployment. This group is the latest unit to be adopted. To date, the Chapter has sponsored the purchase of the following wish list items for two (2) of their six (6) units: a huge assortment of personal care items, puzzle books, snacks, batteries and patriotic tableware and decorations. A total of seven (7) boxes have been shipped so far, with a total weight of over eighty (80) pounds. The employees of Corporate member, Blackhawk Management Company, went on a shopping spree and bought so many items I recommended sending their shipment to the 67th Signal’s Headquarters, which is the largest of their six units.
 
The Chapter purchased and shipped several hundred dollars worth of phone cards during the holiday season for SgtMaj Robinson, and his unit of Marines and Sailors, while they were deployed to Iraq. They also received approximately ten (10) dozen of my home made cookies during the holidays. SgtMaj Robinson joined us during our May Board meeting and it was wonderful to finally meet my pen pal.
 
The Chapter also adopted two Officers, formerly from the United States Military Academy Preparatory School (USMAPS). Major Sonny Lee, the former Operations Officer, and Major Mark Manns, a former Company Commander, and their units deployed to Iraq.
 
Major Lee, and his unit, the 25th Infantry Division (Light) have received numerous boxes containing holiday tableware and decorations for all the holidays, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, Valentine Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day and 4th of July (I have to ship early), along with DVDs, books, snacks and personal care items. Individual cash donations from members of the Fort Monmouth Community also enabled the Chapter to supplement its purchases with DVDs, books, snacks and personal care items. Additionally, the unit received approximately ten (10) dozen of my home made cookies during the Holidays.
 
Major Lee’s friends from the Sun Eagles Golf Course, located at Gibbs Hall, Fort Monmouth, donated slightly used golf clubs, along with golf balls, tees, a golf flag and boxes of clothing for the Iraqi children.
 
Once again the students and teachers from Middletown High School South came through with support to our Soldiers. Their artwork, letters and a collection drive, netting three boxes of personal care items and items for the Iraqi children were shipped to Major Lee. Additionally, The Marine Technology and Science Academy (MAST) students wrote letters and provided artwork to Major Lee and his unit. Students from Middletown High School North also pitched in with letters, magazines, puzzle books, a puzzle, playing cards, books, games, writing materials, gum, yoyos, a wiffle ball and a Frisbee.
 
Brownie Troop 1895, Red Bank, New Jersey, conducted a service project, which netted forty-five (45) pounds of comfort items to include coffee, tea bags, power bars, hard candy, playing cards, razors and shaving cream, air freshener, hand sanitizer and white t-shirts for Major Lee and his unit.
 
Brownie Troop #33, Green Township, sent eighty (80) boxes of Girl Scout cookies to Major Lee.
 
The Monmouth Council of Boy Scouts donated eight (8) cartons of microwave popcorn shared by both Major Manns and Major Lee’s units.
 
Corporate support from Software Professional Solutions, Engineering and Professional Services and the Holiday Inn assisted in making Major Manns, and his unit a little more comfortable by providing approximately thirty (30) boxes of personal care items, gum, snacks and candy.
 
Major Manns and his unit received two (2) boxes of books donated by Ms. Jayne Casey. Ms. Casey, Ms. Kelly Clary and Ocean Township Elementary School (Dow Avenue) put together a box for Major Manns and his unit containing phone cards, letters from the students, personal care items and some baked goods.
 
Communications High School, Wall, New Jersey, conducted a collection drive benefiting both Major Manns and Major Lee and their units. Ms. Stefanie Dazio, the daughter of one of our Corporate members, Mr. Mike Dazio, and her co chairperson, Ms. Amanda Roselli, organized the three (3) week project during the month of March. Stefanie and Amanda set up a central collection point and the students really out did themselves filling the cartons full of items, which when boxed, netted a total of forty-two (42) boxes that were divided between Major Lee and Major Manns’ units. Some of the donations included: phone cards, books, DVDs, CDs, personal care items, snacks, t-shirts, personal notes, and two hand print American Flag posters. Girl Scout Troop 1802 donated one hundred and one (101) boxes of cookies and the Scouts also included personal letters with their donation. Kathy Reidy, VP Communications and CSM Linza Chapman traveled with some of the students, parents and teachers to the Post Office so that the Chapter could pay for the shipping. Kudos to the students of Communications High School, especially Stefanie, Amanda, and the student volunteers that helped sort, package and seal all those boxes. Thanks also to the employees of the Belmar, New Jersey, P.O., for their patience, assistance and their all around kindness during our shipping marathon.
 
Ms. Aimee Gaudio, daughter of our VP for Policy and Awards, Mr. Rich Gaudio, and some members of her Girl Scout Troop 1059 along with members of 4 other Troops and support from our Chapter, conducted a project constructing Neck Coolers. The Neck Coolers get soaked in water for about 45 minutes and are reusable. These items will keep our Warfighters a little more comfortable in the high temperatures in Southwest Asia. The entire project reaped 250 Neck Coolers. T he Chapter has shipped all 250 of these comfort items oversees. This was Aimee’s project for her Gold Award from the Girl Scouts.
 
We also provided wish list items to Rosalie Martinsen and her unit, the 50th Personnel Services Battalion (PSB), a New Jersey National Guard unit, stationed in Afghanistan. Some of those items included: all kinds of personal care items, DVDs, snacks and gum. Corporate support was provided by Software Professional Solutions in the form of holiday decorations, personal care items, snacks, books and DVDs.
 
Updated Jun 07
 
During the winter of 2005 two of our former First Sergeants and their units were deployed to Iraq. MSG Rich Heller and MSG Mike Martin and their respective units were inundated with care packages through the efforts of our Chapter energizing our corporate members and our community. Some examples of the support included:
 
“Wish List” shopping projects for Units by AUSA with assisted funding received from NCMA and the Young AFCEANS, Girl Scout Troops donated cookies, baked goods, gift bags, and wrote personal notes, Boy Scout popcorn donation, High School Students letter writing campaign, and phone card donation campaign.
 
Corporate support from CACI sponsoring two collection drives collecting items of comfort. Both units were very grateful for our support and sent home Certificates Of Appreciation.
 
Our Chapter will continue to make deployments a little more comfortable. To help out contact Kathy Reidy: Kathleen.reidy@us.army.mil, 732 532-8966.

Army Soldier Show
The Chapter donated and hosted a delicious buffet meal and dessert for the entertainers of the Army Soldier Show on May 15, 2005 at the Fort Monmouth Expo Theater.  The 30 plus show cast and staff left Ft. Monmouth knowing that our Chapter had set a new standard for how to host the soldiers. The U.S. Army Soldier Show is a musical review showcasing the talents of active duty soldiers who are selected by audition from throughout the Army. These performers are the best the Army has to offer and when this show stops here next year we encourage you to attend.  http://www.armymwr.com
  

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
Our Chapter donates funds to the Fort Monmouth Garrison to help defray costs of their holiday party.
  

Officers Candidate School, New Jersey National Guard
Our Chapter attends and participates in the Officer Candidate School commissioning ceremony for the NJ National Guard at Sea Girt, NJ.
  

Patterson Army Medical Clinic
Our Chapter presents quarterly awards of a Savings Bond, a one year membership to AUSA and a trophy to the NCO and the Soldier of the quarter.  Our Chapter also provides monetary support to help defray costs for the Clinic’s holiday party.
  

Quilts Of Honor
Our Chapter forwards home made lap quilts to the Fisher House Foundation’s three residences at Walter Reed Medical Center to be used by our soldiers recovering and recuperating at their facilities.  If you quilt or know someone that does and would like to donate a lap quilt please contact:  Kathleen Reidy  Kathleen.reidy@us.army.mil , 732-532-8966
  

Recruiters of the Year
Our Chapter sponsors an annual Recruiter of the Year awards during our Veterans Day luncheon.  All winners receive a Savings Bond and a one-year membership in AUSA.
   

Rutgers University ROTC

Our Chapter attends and participates in the Award Ceremony at Rutgers University ROTC.  This year one of our Chapter Board Members presented the AUSA Cadet of the Year Award and the AUSA Military History Award to two recipients.
  

Shea Athletic Award
Each spring our Chapter presents the Richard T. Shea Athletic Award during the USMAPS Graduation ceremony.  Richard T. Shea was the first Prep School graduate to win the Congressional Medal of Honor.
  

Taste Of Heaven
Taste of Heaven is a Fort Monmouth Chapel sponsored event on Wednesday evenings from approximately 5 to 7  p.m. where the Cadet Candidates (CCs) of the United States Military Academy Preparatory School (USMAPS) are the guests of honor and invited to a home cooked meal in their dining facility.  The program begins in August and continues throughout their school year concluding the week before graduation. Our Chapter’s members participate by working at the reception table, signing in the CCs, providing them with nametags, bags of candy, and most importantly, welcoming conversation.  The CCs are so grateful for a little taste of home, the conversation and all the interest provided by our Chapter’s representatives. The class of 2007-2008 is approximately 240 strong.  If you would like to help, get to know our future officers and provide the CCs with a little bit of home. Chapter contacts are: Marcia Owen marcia.owen@ngc.com , 732 450-6464 or Kathy Reidy kathleen.reidy@us.army.mil , 732 532-8966.
   

United States Military Academic Preparatory School Support
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.
 

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