Inspired by Bergen grandma, Operation Care Package helps service members around the globe

Operation Care Package is returning to Westwood and Washington Township this year for a fourth time, seeking donations to brighten the day of local servicemen and women stationed across the globe.

This year, however, it’s not just those on active duty who will be helped by the community; organizers also want to ensure needy and homeless veterans have the supplies they need to get through the day.

Operation Care Package started three years ago as an effort to help active members of the military from Westwood and Washington Township, and it has expanded to serve relatives and friends of people who live in the two towns as well, said Anthony Greco, one of the project's coordinators.

The effort began as a way to bring smiles to the faces of young service members from the area, many of them in their early 20s and spending their first extended time away from home. Operation Care Package has delivered to aircraft carriers in the Pacific Ocean, soldiers stationed in Kuwait and Coast Guard members on the West Coast, Greco said.

The group plans to assemble about 15 packages this year, about the same as last year, he said.

Inspired by his mom

The project was inspired by Greco’s mother, who lives in Washington Township and sent care packages to her grandchildren during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The kids loved it. My wife loved it,” Greco said. “We said it would be pretty cool when COVID was over if we can extend this to the servicemen.”

Greco, who has various family members in the armed forces, enlisted the help of a friend, Cheryl Hodges, to get the initiative going. Hodges is a Gold Star mom — a mother who lost a child in service of the United States.

“She said her son used to love getting the letters from kids at grammar schools,” Greco said.

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This year, Operation Care Package is expanding to help homeless veterans in the community as well. The organizers are partnering with Veteran's Haven North , a transitional housing program in Lebanon Township, and aim to get 25 bags ready with basic hygiene kits.

“We’re trying to get everyone a little something for Veterans Day,” Greco said.

One of the most rewarding parts of the effort is when the recipients send back photos of themselves sharing the gifts with other members of their squad, he said. The packages also include letters and pictures drawn by Westwood and Washington Township students.

“For me, that’s the best part,” Greco said.

Once collections end at the start of November, local kids also help prepare the packages for shipping.

When creating the list of items for homeless veterans, Greco’s wife, Kristen, suggested putting feminine products on the list. It was a move Vince Tirri, a Washington Township resident who helped connect the group with Veteran’s Haven North, appreciated.

“He said people don’t realize that there are just as many homeless female veterans,” Greco said. “A lot of them don’t seek help from the organization, so they slip through the cracks.”

How to donate to Operation Care Package

For active servicemen and servicewomen, Operation Care Package is seeking donations of items including:

• Gum
• Nuts
• Granola bars
• Trail mix
• Fruit snacks
• Beef jerky
• Cookies
• Popcorn
• Crackers
• Candy (no chocolate)
• Coffee packets/pods
• Tea bags
• Playing cards/Uno
• Rummikub
• Amex/Visa cards

For homeless veterans, items needed include:

• Combs/brushes
• Shampoo
• Body wash
• Shaving cream
• Razors
• Hand/body wipes
• Body lotion
• Feminine products (pads/tampons)
• Toothbrushes
• Toothpaste
• Mouthwash
• Deodorant

Donations should be dropped off by Nov. 1 at 26 Euclid Ave. in Westwood. For more information, Greco can be reached at 201-218-1796.

Stephanie Noda is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: noda@northjersey.com

Twitter: @snoda11

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Inspired by Bergen grandma, Operation Care Package helps service members around the globe