Upcoming Air Show to Fundraise for Military Personnel, Veterans

Written by Rod Hirsch

Vintage fixed-wing aircraft and modern-day Medevac helicopters will fly in to Central Jersey Regional Airport on Oct. 5 to help Rotary District 7510 raise funds for various charities and foundations dedicated to assisting the US military and veterans.

Visitors are invited to the Military & Veterans Appreciation Day from 1-5 p.m. to view the aircraft and other attractions, including antique and collector automobiles and bicycles.

Rain date is Oct. 6. Entrance to the airport is at 1034 Millstone River Road.

Other scheduled attractions include a remote control aircraft demonstration and a tethered hot air balloon ride.

The event will include outreach and information for members of the military, families and veterans provided by several organizations.

There will be food vendors, live bands, clowns, face painting and other activities for children.

Walgreen’s will also offer flu shots.

Participating organizations include Operation Shoebox New Jersey; Operation Chill Out, One Stop Career Center, and the Vets Chat and Chew project.

Rotary District 7510 includes 45 chapters in a five-county area comprising Somerset, Hunterdon, Union, Middlesex and Mercer counties.

Rotary International is a worldwide service organization of businessmen and women dedicated to community service and humanitarian causes.

Operation Chillout, based in Long Valley, is seeking new and unused clothing that will be donated to homeless veterans. Requested items include knit cap and gloves, wool/nylon blend socks, insulated underwear and hooded, zipper sweatshirts in sizes large and extra large.

Operation Shoebox New Jersey, based in Hillsborough seeks donations of food items that are placed in personal care packages shipped to members of the US military deployed overseas. Requested items include canned tuna, canned fruit, 1 oz. boxes of cereal, dried fruit, trail mix, granola bars, beef jerky and small snack bags of pretzels and chips.

Both organizations will host displays at the event where donated items can be dropped off.

Further information is available by calling Rotary members Fred Cassaday at (732) 699-1431 or Joe Horner at (908) 217-9400.