December 2008 - The Chapter paid the shipping of 5 holiday care packages sent to the Soldiers of Charlie Company 1-18 IN, 2 HBCT, 1 ID The care packages contained Christmas stockings, cookies, garland, holiday sandwich bags, holiday plates, napkins, and cups, holiday candy, tablecloths, holiday trays and a Christmas card from the Chapter. Seven Cadet Candidates from the United States Military Academy Preparatory School assisted with the postal run. The total weight was 63 pounds and the shipping cost was $50.30. This has been repeated for many units serving in the war zone.
Also, the Chapter paid the shipping for 93 care packages for the Soldiers of A Company, 2/113. The students of Ramapo College of New Jersey conducted a collection drive for one of their students that is now deployed. The shipping cost to the Chapter was $911.50.
October 2008 - The chapter president attended a fund raising event for a local soldier who was severely wounded in Afghanistan by an IED explosion. The soldier, 1st LT Brian Brennan, lost both legs and was in a coma for several months but is now undergoing rehab. The fund raising was to provide funds to help his family, and eventually create a fund to assist others, during the rehab period. The fund raiser was held at a local restaurant. The chapter donated $1000.
The AUSA Chapter, in conjunction with CJ Montana's a local restaurant that is also a corporate member, hosted a Dining for Dollars evening. 20% of all food purchases for the evening will be donated to the Fisher House foundation through the chapter. During the course of the evening the restaurant was full of AUSA supporters who came for this specific purpose. The owner stated that this is the largest Dining for Dollars event he has hosted and the restaurant also had a waiting time for customers which are terrific for a Monday night.
The Chapter paid the shipping for 7 care packages for deployed Soldiers, Airmen, Marines and Sailors with HQ, CSTC-A ANA DEV, currently deployed to Afghanistan. The care packages contained phone cards, personal care items, snacks, books, DVDs, CDs, girl scout cookies, magazines, letters and cards from the players of Berkeley Soccer Association and juice boxes. The Chapter also purchased Thanksgiving decorations which were included in the packages. Total weight of the care packages was 177 pounds and the cost of the shipping was $100.45. Cadet Candidates from the United States Military Academy Preparatory School assisted with the Post Office run.
May 2008 - At the General Membership meeting, which was a military ball and Fisher House fundraiser, over 460 people attended the formal event. Entertainment was provided by the 82nd Airborne Chorus from Ft. Bragg and also consisted of a fund raiser in support of the Fisher House Foundation. The attached check is of the Chapter President and the VP for Corporate Member support providing a check for $150,000 to the VP of Communications, Jim Weiskopf for the funds raised. The event began with a joint color guard and consisted of the formal with a silent auction being conducted in an adjacent tent that was attached to the ball room. Jim Weiskopf also provided an update on the last year of activities within the foundation. This was the culmination of a years of planning and preparation.
October 2007 - Sorted and boxed 4 boxes of donated items for the 2nd BCT, 2nd Infantry Division. One of our corporate members, Raytheon, conducted a collection drive on behalf of some of the deployed soldiers adopted by our Chapter. Donated items included a myriad of personal care items, greeting cards, a huge assortment of snacks, playing cards, truck and sports magazines, DVDs and phone cards.
December 2006 - One of our chapter members donated $100.00 for shopping purposes for one of the deployed units adopted by our chapter. The donated money allowed us to purchase DVDs and candy.
Five (5) crocheted lap quilts were donated to the Chapter to be shipped to the Fisher House, Walter Reed.
One of our Chapter Officers donated 6 dozen holiday cookies to be shipped to one of the deployed units adopted by our Chapter.
Shipped two large cartons of wish list items to one of the deployed units the Chapter has adopted.
The Chapter purchased phone cards for SGM Robinson, formerly from the Red Bank Reserve Center and a current resident of Fort Monmouth, now stationed in Iraq, and his unit of Marines and Sailors. Additionally, the Chapter adopted two Officers formerly from the United States Military Academy Preparatory School (USMAPS): Major Sonny Lee, a former USMAPS Operations Officer, now stationed in Iraq, and his unit, received holiday paper goods and decorations, DVDs, books, snacks and toiletry items. Major Mark Manns, a former Battalion Tactical Officer from USMAPS, and his unit, now stationed in Iraq, received toiletry items, gum and candy.
Ms. Aimee Gaudio, daughter of our VP for Policy and Awards, Rich Gaudio, and some members of her Girl Scout Troop 1059 along with members of 4 other Troops and support from our Chapter, conducted a project constructing Neck Coolers. The Neck Coolers get soaked in water for about 45 minutes and are reusable. These items will keep our Warfighters a little more comfortable in the high temperatures in Southwest Asia. The entire project reaped 250 Neck Coolers. T he Chapter has shipped all 250 of these comfort items oversees. This was Aimee’s project for her Gold Award from the Girl Scouts.
November 2006 - This months General Membership meeting recognized the New Jersey Recruiting Commands award and recognition luncheon. Recruiters from the New Jersey Recruiting Battalion were recognized and received awards and savings bonds. The attached picture is of the award winners from the Central Jersey Recruiting company and consisted of recruiters from the Active, Guard and Reserves. The winner and runner up in each category received recognition and awards, which included one year free membership, a savings bond and a certificate. The battalion commander also attended and participated in the award ceremony.
October 2006 - Five cartons of care packages mailed to an adopted unit deployed to Iraq. Packages included holiday paper goods, muffins, books, DVDs, candy and neck coolers. The Commanding Officer was formerly assigned to the United States Military Academy Preparatory School, Ft. Monmouth, NJ..
September 2006 - Five (5) cartons of wish list items were shipped to the 50th Personnel Services Battalion, a New Jersey National Guard Unit, currently deployed to Afghanistan. Items included shampoo, conditioner, other toiletry items, snacks, gum, and DVDs.
Bob Fasulo, Chapter President and Ed Carnes, VP Corporate Affairs, escorted BG Nick Justive, DPEO C3T and his wife Ana, Vic Ferlise, SES, Deputy to CG, CE-LCMC, Fort Monmouth, COL Jim Costigan and Kit Roache to Fisher House III at Walter Reed. After a Fisher House presentation by Jim Weiskof, VP Communications for the Fisher House Foundation, all met with soldiers and their families. We presented a check for over $18,000.00 raised by the sale of Ana Justice's original art work, a golf outing co-sponsored by PM WIN-T, Col Colon and the CERDEC, Gary Martin and a $3000.00 donation by the Fort Monmouth Chapter.
This was our annual POW/MIA Remembrance Luncheon held at the Ft. Monmouth Officers Club. Remarks wer provided by the Garrison Commander and the family members of former POW/MIA's were recognized. An art sale was also conducted prior to the luncheon featuring artwork of a local artist. All proceeds from the sale of her paintings were donated to the Fisher House Foundation at a ceremony at Walter Reed Fisher House on 10 Oct. The total amount donated to the Foundation was in excess of $9000.
August 2006 - The Chapter approved $600.00 for wish list items to be purchased for the 50th Personnel Services Battalion, a New Jersey National Guard Unit stationed in Afghanistan.
The chapter donated $500 to the 2nd Region campaign to support the Walter Reed Army Medical Center's soldier hospice and family support center. These funds were provided to support the Patterson Army Health Clinic's Organization Day festivities.