Operation Yellow Ribbon of South Jersey surpassed 50,000 pounds (25 tons) of care package items shipped overseas in the year 2016.
The announcement came Monday morning and marks the second straight year the group packaged and shipped more than 50,000 pounds of items for troops overseas.
The organization is spearheaded by Dave Silver and his second in command is Cinnaminson resident Terry McGinnis.
McGinnis got involved with the organization after care packages were put together and shipped to her son Ryan when he was overseas.
“My kids are older now and a few people still recognize me, that’s why I setup drop points in Cinnaminson at Edge Dance Studio and Action Karate.”
“With his first deployment, friends of mine from church were aware of Operation Yellow Ribbon. They contacted them about getting Ryan care packages while he was in Afghanistan. He got a box every four weeks for the nine months he was deployed.”
McGinnis said that she didn’t know many military people or families when Ryan was first deployed, but began to meet people after he started receiving care packages.
“Through that group I met a couple of the women and they were just so touching. We send care packages to deployed military personnel in the Middle East and if possible, in conjunction with their families, when they come back we throw a rockstar welcome home along with the Warriors Watch Riders Motorcycle Club.”
When Ryan came home, McGinnis said that Silver and Operation Yellow Ribbon of South Jersey wanted to put together a welcome home for him.
“Silver said the group wanted to do a welcome home for Ryan. I had never seen one before in person and was so moved by it that I said everyone should have it.”
“Whatever town we go to for a welcome, we get as many people as possible, including the police and fire departments and committee members. We do these great welcome home events. Sometimes it will be a ‘Mug and Hug,’ which is when they are out somewhere and we grab them for a celebration.”
When Ryan came home from his deployment to Afghanistan he received a hero’s escort from Philadelphia to Cinnaminson.
“Ryan was escorted all the way home from Philadelphia International by the motorcycle club.”
The group is all volunteer and works year round to build care packages for deployed troops.
“It’s a completely volunteer group and everything we get is through donations,” McGinnis said. “We do a cookie drive once per year. We put out 223 boxes in one day. Each box weighs an average of 32 pounds. So, in one day, we put out close to 6,000 pounds of care packages in one day. For the size of the group that it is, it’s very amazing at what can be accomplished.”
McGinnis continues to be overwhelmed with support the group receives from Cinnaminson and the tri-boro.
“The boys scouts and girl scouts in this town and the tri-boro are phenomenal in their support of us. They try to sell boxes of cookies or tins of popcorn for the troops. They put the items aside when purchased and give them to us.”
The care packages include basic personal care items like soap, shaving cream, foot powder, eye drops, deodorant, baby wipes and treats like beef jerky, Tastykakes, protein and sweets. Pringles are a very popular item in the care packages.
“People are touched more this time of year. It just brings you thoughts of sharing and caring of other people. September to December is a very good time.”
McGinnis said that the schools and churches in and around Cinnaminson have helped over the past couple of years.
“When New Albany does the fun day at the end of the year the physical education department organizes a drive for Operation Yellow Ribbon of South Jersey.”
“Our friends in the Jewish community have helped us in recent years. The kids at St. Charles have held drives for us as well. Some children for their birthdays will hold a drive instead of asking for presents. It’s up and down throughout the year.”
If you are interested in donating time or items to Operation Yellow Ribbon of South Jersey you can contact them through their Facebook page.
Image credit: Used with permission from the Operation Yellow Ribbon of South Jersey Facebook page.
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