9th Annual Washington Cares About Our Troops begins on Veterans Day

What started as a modest effort to collect items for New Jersey service men and women around the world has become one of Washington’s No. 1 community donation event. 

The 9^th Annual Washington Business Improvement District’s Operation Jersey Cares campaign, which begins on Veteran’s Day and continues into December, has always had a terrific response among the Washington area business community, and the community at-large. Over the years hundreds of boxes of products have been collected for troops. Initially a program that only draw interest from the Borough has now expanded well beyond the town’s borders.   

“Rallying around this cause has been second to none,” said Melanie Thiel, Executive Director of the WBID. “Businesses and community members from throughout the region have donated tens of thousands of items over the years.”

The WBID’s annual campaign has been so successful that it has become one of the state’s top collectors for Operation Jersey Cares, which has recognized Washington many times for its efforts.   

“We know that there will be another huge response this year because this is a program that so many people have connections to,” said Thiel. “Our businesses have been terrific over the years providing support for this important cause. Their dedication and commitment in helping to get the word out and providing space in their businesses for collections has been key to the success of the program. And of course, with the community’s support, it adds up to a big winner for our troops!” 

Last year, thousands of items were collected at many Borough businesses. Items collected this year will once again be given to officials of Operation Jersey Cares for distribution to troops around the world. Items requested include a variety of toiletries such as razors, toothbrushes, shampoo, shaving cream and female hygiene products, food such as snacks, peanut butter, canned spaghetti or ravioli, soups, batteries, notebooks and pens and pencils. For a full listing of “wish list item packages” visit www.washingtonbid.org.  Items will be accepted through Dec. 20.

Among the participating businesses  and groups that will be collecting items this year are Allie’s Cupcakery & Cafe, David Santini, CPA, Direct Millwork, Fur the Love of Dogs, Buttzville Brewing Co., GST Transportation, Juanito’s Mexican Restaurant, Laughing Goat Coffee Bar & Eatery, New Jersey School of Woodwork, Next Level Hair Designs, Scotty’s Stadium Club, Stew’s Autobody, Towing and Recovery, Today’s Family Dental, Visions Federal Credit Union, Esoteric Jiu Jitsu, Gibson’s Fitness Center, Gaia’s Gifts, Philberts Pub, Warren County Dental Center, Andy’s Barber Shop, Fliegauf Jewelers, Get A Grip & More, Lina’s Chop Shop & Color Studio, William’s Irish Tavern, Two Country Chicks, Castle Family Dentistry, Smith Tractor, Pasta Grill by Enzo, Habitat for Humanity Office (Belvidere Ave.), Frantoni Fashion for Men, Rossi Chevrolet, Park Avenue Consignment, Serendipity Gift Shop, Free Spirit Salon, Hairmazing Le Crepe Cafe, Creations Salon, Warren County Liquors (W. Washington Ave.), Good Impressions Print Communications, West Washington Family Dentistry, Home Instead Senior Care, Belvidere American Legion, Warren Hills Baseball Booster Club, and other locations that may be added. For the latest listing of collection sites, go to washingtonbid.org.

This program is sponsored by the Washington BID, Get a Grip & More, The Meat Shoppe by Arctic Foods, Printabilities, Swift Print Solutions, Good Impressions Print Communications, Shembre & Gannon, LLC, and Visions FCU Season of Giving Program.  

For more information about this program and other WBID initiatives, visit www.washingtonbid.org or call 908-689-4800. You can also check out the Washington BID Facebook page.