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Send a Smile to a Soldier Overseas

Union County, NJ – The public is invited to join in the Support 4 Soldiers Packing Day event hosted by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the New Jersey National Guard Armory in Westfield, and the nonprofit organization Bonds of Courage at the Westfield National Guard Armory, 500 Rahway Avenue, from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 18.

The Packing Day event includes refreshments, entertainment, military vehicles and equipment to view, and a chance to meet soldiers from the 1-102 Cavalry Squadron.

“A package from home is a reminder that people care for you and are thinking of you,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak. “Support 4 Soldiers is a great way for the whole Union County community to pull together and show how much we appreciate the men and women who are serving our country far from their homes.”

Support 4 Soldiers is a campaign created by high school students, who have been rallying their schools, friends, and neighbors to collect toiletries and other basic items for active duty military members overseas. They will gather at the Armory on May 18 to assemble the care packages for shipping.

Thousands of items have already been collected and there is still time to donate. The Support 4 Soldiers collection is ongoing until May 15. More than two dozen distinctive “Support 4 Soldiers” collection boxes are in place at public buildings throughout the county.

To find the collection box nearest you, and to see the list of recommended items to donate, visitucnj2.org/uc-step.

Packing Day attendees are also invited to bring their donations to the Armory on May 18.

Support 4 Soldiers was conceived by students who were brought together by the countywide UC STEP (Union County Student Training and Enrichment Program) Summit last December.

The UC STEP students organized their campaign with the support of the Freeholder Board in partnership with the Bonds of Courage (bondsofcourage.org), which is based in Westfield.

Bonds of Courage is also celebrating its 10-year anniversary and moving into its new headquarters at the Armory on May 18.

For more information about the Packing Day, Support 4 Soldiers, and UC STEP visit ucnj2.org/uc-step, email ucstep@ucnj.org, or call 908-527-4103.

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