Many Weehawken residents are helping the war effort abroad right from their own homes. By organizing a donation drive in the township, many local residents are boosting morale and giving back to those serving our country.
The Weehawken Seniors and the Weehawken Needle and Craft, centered at the Nutrition Center on Highwood Avenue, are taking donations to send to soldiers in care and wellness packages. The program, now in its sixth year, has shipped dozens of care packages to grateful men and women abroad.
“There are a lot of kids from Weehawken overseas,” said World War II veteran Joe Bradley. “It’s important to keep them in our thoughts.”
“There are a lot of kids from Weehawken overseas.” – Joe Bradley
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“If someone in your family is overseas, or you know of someone who is, please get in touch with us so we can get them a package,” he said. “It’s a huge morale boost for the troops – especially in time for the holidays.” All donations must be sent in by the end of November.
Although the program is for a good cause, shipping and handling charges for the packages can add up – up to $300 a year – which is raised through donations. “We’re hoping to ship a lot of packages out this year,” Bradley said
One grateful soldier even thanked the Weehawken Seniors with a special gift, after getting a care package abroad. Jennifer Smith, of Weehawken, sent home an American flag that flew in a fighter jet over Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freed on Aug. 7, 2007. The flag is still flying outside the Nutrition Center, 201 Highwood Ave.
Gifts for the troops
Almost any donation is allowed, but there are a few regulations. Some things can’t be sent, like pork products, or alcohol, aerosol cans and liquid hand sanitizers because they might explode, and chocolate during the warm summer months. But almost anything else is a welcome surprise for a soldier overseas.
Bradley said that simple microwavable foods are especially important, because they remind the troops of home. Popcorn and instant macaroni and cheese are great for the homesick soldier.
“I remember all the care packages when I was in the service, used to be shipped with cracker jacks,” Bradley said. “And all the guys would grab a box looking for the surprise inside.”
In addition to food, toiletries can really help soldiers keep clean in a foreign environment.
Bradley said that dusting clothes and wipes are essential in the desert for removing sand that gets into “everything and every surface.”
“The packages are great for morale,” Bradley said, “because they let the guys know that we’re thinking about them. The only difference between packages then and now is that I could have pork.”
All year round
The Weehawken Seniors are active all year round. Around Memorial Day, the group holds a pizza party for close to 50 kids from local schools. Paid for by the seniors themselves, the parties are held to teach children about World War II.
“The kids get a good kick out of the party,” Bradley said. During Veteran’s Day, Bradley and fellow veteran Joe Fredericks talk to children in the classroom. Fredericks, who supplied munitions and supplies to resistance forces in France and Germany, is a lifelong resident of the township.
“I’ve been going to the schools for a long time,” Bradley said. “But when Joe told the kids what he did in the war, I even stopped and listened to him.”
For more information about the drive or the Weehawken Seniors, please call Kathy Gohte at the Nutrition Center at (201) 319-6060.
Sean Allocca can be reached at editorial@hudsonreporter.com