Somerville Pig Races to Benefit Operation Shoebox, Other Nonprofits

Saturday's 'Festi-ville' includes dachshunds racing as 'hot dogs.'

Down the stretch they come...and the winner by a snout is - Piggly Wiggly, followed in second by Pork Roll & Cheese, with Squeals of Delight third and bringing up the rear, Pork Butt. Somerville’s inaugural Festiville, sponsored by the Downtown Somerville Alliance, will feature the first-ever Pig Races on West Main Street on Saturday, beginning at noon. There will be five races, one per hour, including a few “Hot Dog” races. A field of four Dachshunds will also trot out to the starting gate – complete with hot dog rolls strapped across their backs, topped off with a squiggle of mustard. Spectators are encouraged to crowd up to the edge of the track and watch Hold the Mustard,Stretch Limo, Mighty Dog and Tiny stretch out to grab the coveted…

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Operation Shoebox to Auction Iconic Photo

Feb. 23 fundraiser also includes raffles, basket auctions.

Two weeks before the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, Retired Marine Capt. Ben R. Cascio took a photo of the iconic towers as he flew by in his restored 1951 Marine l-17, a four-passenger, single engine propeller-driven low wing bubble canopy aircraft used by the Marine Corps in Korea and the early years of the Vietnam war. .Cascio's Aug. 26, 2001, image shows the towers in the background and the Marine Wing in the foreground. The photo will be sold to the highest bidder on Feb. 23 during the Wine Room Reception and Fund Raising Auction hosted by Operation Shoebox New Jersey at The Wine Room, 2 John St., in Bound Brook. Cascio, who was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry during the Vietnam War, will attend the dinner and …

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Operation Shoebox Cancels Saturday Packing Event

Organizers refocus on June 8 date.

A packing event to send supplies to U.S. military personnel overseas planned for Saturday at Manville's VFW post has been cancelled because of the winter storm. According to organizer Rod Hirsch, the group will instead plan an event for June 8. Saturday's event was to also celebrate the eighth anniversary of the non-profit group which collects donated personal supplies to send to the service men and women stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Donations can still be made to Operation Shoebox to help support the troops through the website.

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Y Hosts Operation Shoebox Packing Event

Supplies for overseas military personnel collected, packed and shipped today.

Marine Returns Operation Shoebox Banner to NJ's First Lady

Hillsborough-based group helps send care packages, helps keep spirites high.

Mary Pat Christie Honors Operation Shoebox NJ

New Jersey First Lady names Operation Shoebox NJ founder a New Jersey Hero.

For Rod Hirsch, helping the troops began in 1969, with an Eagle Scout project that had him sending care packs to friends in Vietnam. Years later, he’s still helping the military heroes via Operation Shoebox New Jersey, the charity he created in 2005—and his commitment had Mary Pat Christie, First Lady of New Jersey, recognizing him as one of New Jersey’s home-grown heroes. The First Lady presented Hirsch with the honor during a visit to Operation Shoebox’s Hillsborough headquarters Thursday, greeting the charity’s volunteer staff, family and packing several care packs that will be sent to the troops. “It is all about the volunteers,” Christie said. “It takes an army, so to speak, but it also takes a leader. It takes somebody with a will …

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Hundreds Help Send Packages to Troops Oversees

Hillsborough Elementary School hosts Operation Shoebox event.

Several hundred volunteers from throughout the region helped send packages to troops oversees through Operation Shoebox New Jersey at Hillsborough Elementary School on Saturday.

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Operation Shoebox Hosts Packing Day for Troops

Operation Shoebox anticipates several hundred volunteers at Saturday packing event, held at Hillsborough Elementary School.

Volunteers are invited to join Operation Shoebox New Jersey staff pack gift boxes and send Christmas greetings to U.S. troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan at Hillsborough Elementary School on Saturday, Dec. 3.  The packing is being held in conjunction with members of the Hillsborough Rotary with volunteer registration beginning at 10 a.m., followed by opening ceremonies at 11 a.m. A light lunch will be provided by the Pheasant’s Landing restaurant . The school is located at the corner of Amwell Road and Route 206 north. Operation Shoebox New Jersey  anticipates several hundred volunteers, including the employees from 12 Cheesecake Factory restaurants in New Jersey and New York and students from Burlington County Community College as …

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