A U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter will circle and land at Central Jersey Regional Airport to help Operation Shoebox New Jersey launch a two-month effort to collect supplies for shipment to US troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bring your camera as pictures are encouraged.
The Hillsborough Rotary Club is hosting the “kid-friendly” event, which will also include displays by the U.S. Army, Civil Air Patrol and other organizations. The Blackhawk is scheduled to land at 10 a.m. and will take off at 1 p.m.
The Blackhawk, the workhorse of the US military, is attached to the New Jersey National Guard and will fly in from its base at Mercer County Airport. Flemington resident, CWO3 Tony Gianno, will pilot the plane.
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Visitors will be able to step inside the helicopter and sit at the controls in the pilot’s and co-pilot’s seat.
There is no admission charge. The Rotary is asking that visitors please bring donations suitable to be sent overseas in care packages by Operation Shoebox New Jersey. Needed items include lip balm, sun block, insect repellent, moist wipes, toothpaste, toothbrushes, white crew socks, small pop-top cans of tuna and fruit, beef jerky and gum. Financial donations will also be accepted.
Further information is available by contacting Operation Shoebox New Jersey at (908) 698-0333 and the website at www.opshoeboxnj.org. Donations can be dropped off at Operation Shoebox New Jersey headquarters, located in Veterans Industrial Park, 152 Route 206 South, Hillsborough, Building 1.
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Financial support is also needed to underwrite the expense of shipping the packages overseas. Operation Shoebox New Jersey is a non-profit 501C3 corporation. All donations are tax deductible.
