Middletown ships a ton of supplies to soldiers in Iraq

MIDDLETOWN - One ton of supplies is on the way to Middletown's adopted soldiers in Iraq, thanks to an outpouring of support from the community.

Middletown families, civic organizations, Boy and Girl Scout troops, schools and local businesses generously donated everything from snacks to personal hygiene items to Nerf footballs and video games. New Jersey state flags donated by state Sen. Joseph Kyrillos (R-Monmouth/ Middlesex), drawings from the Middletown Arts Center's Summer Camp programs, and cards from the Middletown Senior Center were also included in this first shipment to Iraq.

Middletown adopted 59 paratroopers from Charlie Company, 1st Brigade, Special Troops Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division through America Supporting Americans, a non-profit organization that links communities around with the nation with military units.

Donations were boxed by volunteers from Middletown's Office of Emergency Management. Shipping costs were donated by Middletown Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2179.

"We hope this will be [the] first of many shipments Middletown can make to Charlie Company and their fellow soldiers through the continued support of the community," Mayor Gerard P. Scharfenberger said in a press release. Charlie Company will be stationed overseas for more than a year.

Donations can be brought to township facilities including town hall, parks and recreation facilities, and the main library. Items to donate include dental care, batteries still in their original packaging, foot powder, cotton or wool socks, non-perishable snacks, reusable storage bags, eye drops and lip balm. No aerosol cans will be accepted. Cards and letters are also appreciated.

A full list of items to donate can be found at www.middletownnj.org. For more information, call the mayor's office at (732) 615-2024 or e-mail.