OPERATION SOS!!
(Support our Soldiers Update)

On May 21, 2005 our council conducted a fund raising event outside the ShopRite in Hillsborough and it was a HUGE SUCCESS! Volunteering to "shake the can" were Frank Greco, Dan Dermer, Steve Hutton, Rob Hooper and Monty Zaks. This event was conducted to collect funds for care packages for troops overseas. One, thing we did a little different this time was to hand out shopping lists and ask the shopper to pick items up while they were inside the store.

The reception and outpouring of generosity from the Hillsborough residents was truly amazing! All together we raised $702 in cash donations and over seven full shopping carts of donated items (estimated to be valued in range of $700 to $800). At this time all this merchandise has been packaged up and sent overseas.

Not content with this success, our council President, Dan Dermer, arranged a second event at the East Brunswick ShopRite on June 18th. This time we were soliciting donations for our general council fund (ear-marked for support of activities at NWS Earle) and merchandise for care packages for troops overseas. Again the outpouring of support was fantastic. We collected a similar amount of merchandise for care packages as we did in the May event, while we collected $725 in cash donations. Council volunteers at this event were Dan Dermer, Monty Zaks, Steve Hutton, Frank Greco, Bill Aiken (and Bill's son Austin).

We've received a number of letters back from some of the troops who have received care packages and they tell us these reminders of home and the knowledge that so many of us back here in the US remember them and keep them in our hearts, means a tremendous amount to them!

Look for more of these events in the future - as the weather cools off and as we can arrange them.

JULY 1, Update

Rob Hooper reports: As of today (July 1), we have sent out over 3300 lbs in 166 care packages to the troops stationed overseas. I am still collecting goods to be sent over, we are currently sending packages to 6 soldiers. I wanted to say THANK YOU to all of you who have so generously helped.

ITEMS BEING COLLECTED

• A letter to any American soldier with kind and encouraging words to help ease the days away from family and friends.
• baby wipes (no showers available)
• eye drops
• foot spray (no powder)
• books, magazines and/or comic books
• gum
• hard candy - no chocolate
• granola bars
• snack foods (Fritos, Doritos, etc..)
• deodorant
• toothpaste
• toothbrush
• band-aids
• sunscreen
• lip balm
• canned soups
• canned nuts
• playing cards
• Beanie Babies (good for handouts to Iraqi children)
• Deet insect spray
• disposable cameras
• hand sanitizer
• blank cards for writing home

Here are the names of the soldiers we are sending items to (this list is constantly changing as troops rotate out and are replaced on our lists by troops being deployed and added to our list):

• Specialist Daniel Fragoso
• 1 st Lt. Jared R. Thornton (Ryan)
• SGT Leonard Cyre
• SGT Brian Meeks
• 1st Lt. T. I. Grothe
• Lt. James A Capobianco

OP SOS & FUTURE
COUNCIL MEETINGS

At future council meetings we will gladly accept donations of any items on the shopping list for inclusion in care packages. Bring any number of items and we'll make sure they get included in upcoming mailings to troops overseas.

COMMUNITY AFFILIATE UPDATE

By Steve Hutton
I have been advised by our Council President, Dan Dermer, that we are in the process of adding Preferred Freezer as our council's newest Community Affiliate. The membership check is in hand and we are just working with Preferred Freezer to identify who will be named as council members within their company's membership. Welcome aboard and congratulations to Dan on this addition to our council! For more information about Preferred Freezer go to their web site at:

http://www.preferredfreezer.com

TAPS!!

It is with deep regret that I report to you the death of our fellow member John E. Niedzwiecki, Sr. John passed away peacefully on Monday, April 18, 2005 at the age of 92. It's always difficult to report the passing of a member to you, however, John's passing is very close to me personally. I'm honored to have known John personally for the past 60 years. While residing in Jersey City my family and John's family lived together in the same house on 2 separate occasions. John's son, John and I grew up together and to this day we are very closely related. John enjoyed his membership at the Central Jersey Council and strongly supported our Council by attending our meetings and special events on a regular basis. I'm going to miss his wit, wisdom and kind words. Rest in Peace Dear Friend, you will be missed but not forgotten.

We extend our sympathies to John's family and relatives, especially his son John, daughter-in-law Jane and brother Stanley who are presently members of the Central Jersey Council. Services were conducted on Friday and Saturday, April 22 & 23, 2005. If you wish to send a sympathy card, please send to:
John Niedzwiecki, 282 Jill Ct., Toms River, NJ 08753

RECENT & FUTURE EVENTS!

At the invitation of USNS Supply and NWS Earle PAO Nancy Eldridge, a group of Central_ Jersey Council members enjoyed lunch and a tour of Supply on Friday, August 26. Our council has retained sponsorship of the Supply even though she is part of Military Sealift Command and spends at least 257 days a year at sea. Liberty Region President and Council member John Niedzwiecki used the visit to reassure Supply's Captain, IOC and PAO that our Council will keep the officers and crew informed about council events, meetings, etc... hoping that they might be able to attend some of our functions while in port at Earle. They were gratified to know of our ongoing support and friendship.

Saturday, Sept. 3, brought some Council members to Freedom Park at Navy Lakehurst at the invitation of