More important than ever as Ida destroyed stockpile of items

The Seventh Annual Washington (Warren County) Business Improvement District’s Operation Jersey Cares campaign, which begins on Veteran’s Day and continues into December, has had always had a terrific response among the Washington area business community, and the community at-large, even during the COVID crisis last year. 

This year, collecting items is more important than ever as the recent Ida storm – and flooding – destroyed Operation Jersey’s Cares stockpile of supplies for the troops.

“They are desperate for items,.” said Melanie Thiel, Executive Director of the WBID. “We are going to make a tremendous effort to do our part to help. We are confident that our community will respond in a huge way.”  

Since its inception, the WBID campaign has collected literally tens of thousands of items to the highly regarded New Jersey sponsorship program. 

“The outpouring from the community has been second to none from Day One,” said Thiel. “We expect another huge response this year. Our businesses have been so amazing 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 tantamount to the success of the program. Residents from the Borough and the region have always stepped up to the plate.” 

Thousands of items were collected last year 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 that will be collecting items this year are Empanada Mamasita, Beansie’s Coffee Shop,  214 Farm to Market, Esoteric Jiu Jitsu, Gibson’s Fitness Center, Honor Yoga, Gaia’s Gifts,  Philberts Pub, Warren County Dental Center, Andy’s Barber Shop, Fliegauf Jewelers, Get A Grip & More, Lost Ladies Café, Lina’s Chop Shop & Color Studio, William’s Irish Tavern, Two Country Chicks, Castle Family Dentistry, Smith Motors, Pasta Grill by Enzo, Washington Kid Care, Habitat for Humanity Office, Frantoni Fashion for Men, Rossi Chevrolet, Advanced Eyecare of Washington, Park Avenue Consignment, Serendipity Gift Shop, Free Spirit Salon, Hairmazing, Michael Yates & Company, Coppers Salon, Creations Salon, Warren County Liquors (W. Washington Ave.), Good Impressions Print Communications, West Washington Family Dentistry, Home Instead Senior Care 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, Swift Print Solutions, and Good Impressions Print Communications, Shembre & Gannon, LLC, Visions FCU Season of Giving Program, BASF, DM Solutions, LLC

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.